What are the key factors to creating an affective support class? My principal approached me with teaching an academic support class for ELA in December for students who were just shy of earning proficient in ELA. I agreed to take on
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Fostering and Developing Classroom Community in Our Brave New World
Teaching is about relationships and community. As Carla Shalaby says in her fabulous book Troublemakers, “It is deeply relational, human work” (p. 172). I’m struggling to hit the right notes as we consider moving to online or distance learning (aka
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Why Am I Teaching This Way?
Have you ever thought, “Why am I doing this activity? What is the point?” A common response from veteran teachers is something like, “I’ve done it this way for ___ years!” A few years ago, I would say something similar
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Let’s Play! Maybe Older Students Need Recess, Too!
Today was the first day of AZELLA testing for my 7th grade introduction level English Language Development class. They were very nervous during the first subtest (Listening), and then we had quite a bit of time to relax. It wasn’t
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The “Goldilocks” Zone
Have you ever quit something after your first time experiencing it because it was either too simple or too challenging? I have, multiple times. In my personal life, the Rubik’s cube immediately comes to mind. Several years ago, I remember
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I Learned to Teach from Mr. Rogers
I didn’t love Mister Rogers growing up. I was more of a Sesame Street-loving gal, with the bright, feathery puppets and the emphasis on cognitive growth. It wasn’t until my little sister, a tiny blond hellion whose body never stopped
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Community Building Instead of Syllabus Reading
Teaching an AP class can be incredibly stressful. There is so much content to go over, make sure students are ready for their exam, and don’t forget all the required documents and Supreme Court cases they need to know. I am
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Scholastic Synergy
For about 7 years I worked for Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Working in guest-facing as well as “backstage” roles for the company, I learned countless lessons. While those lessons ranged from frivolous to profound, most of those tales
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50 Minute Recess: An Experience in a K Classroom
As I sit in a professional development on Developmentally Appropriate Practices in Kinder, toggling between Pinterest & Facebook, I found something that made my heart soar. A proposed bill that I have seen become law or policy in other states. A
Read MoreInjustice Isn’t a Game
At first, I thought it was a joke. I thought it was something The Onion had put together showing how ridiculous the “they can learn it through a simulation” mindset had become. It was an article about a slavery simulation
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