When I was little, I used to say to my friends, “Meet me at my swing set.” My daughter says, “I’m meeting my friend at the left corner of Stomp io” (an Internet game). This is true for many parents
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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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“When I grow up…”
“When I grow up, I want to be a __________”. This is one of the earliest conversations I have with my students and the one I hear them talk about with the most ease. It would feel negligent to
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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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All I Want for Christmas: A Teacher’s Legislative Wishlist
Even though I’m listening to Wham’s “Last Christmas” for the third time today, I know the Ghost of Christmas Future looms right around the corner – for January brings the beginning of the Arizona legislative session. I’ve written before about
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Waking Up is Hard to Do
Confession: I love a good princess story. When work and professional reading make my heart heavy, I’ve found that sometimes light reading is just the ticket to resurfacing out of the gloom. I recently read a short story by Cameron
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Christmas in Phoenix 2019
I do not know how it happened, but somehow the Christmas Season has arrived! There are many that hold that the season has not started until after Thanksgiving. Yet, there is enough evidence in the stores, on streaming providers, and
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Lessons in Loss, Failure, and Apathy: The Dysart Override/Bond Election
Our bond and override election didn’t pass. Initially, I didn’t know what to say when everyone asked me in an incredulous tone “So…what happened there?” I’m trying not to be bitter about my hours of door-knocking. I’m trying to ignore
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Bonds and Overrides and the Public, Oh My!
As a busy teacher/advocate, I am careful to whom I rent space in my head, meaning, I don’t perseverate about things outside my control as much as I did as a newer teacher. Angry parents don’t phase me anymore. Administrative
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Mental Health First Aid
There’s no way to describe the sound of toddler choking until you hear it. Once you hear it, you can’t forget it. A gasp? A wheeze? I saw his eyes. 4-year-old eyes. Eyes of a non-verbal preschool student with Autism.
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