Tag : “Language”

No Goodbyes

December 15, 2019Amethyst Hinton Sainz Uncategorized

Last Monday, Diana did not show up to school. After I take attendance, I habitually ask the class for confirmation of who is missing, just to keep me on my toes. “So, Diana’s absent?” “Yes.” “Se fue a Mexico.” “She

#FirstDays Beyond the Four-Hour Block

August 21, 2019Amethyst Hinton Sainz Education, Education Policy, Literacy, Professional Development, Teacher Leadership

We were asked to introduce ourselves in our blogs this week, and that feels funny, since this is the sixth (or seventh?) year I have had the opportunity to contribute to Stories from School Arizona. This will be my 25th

A Holiday Wish List for ELD Equity

December 7, 2018Amethyst Hinton Sainz Current Affairs, Education, Education Policy, Literacy, Professional Development, Teacher Leadership

It’s that time of year when the child within us develops a dreamy, far-off look, and her eyes begin to gleam. Sugar plums? A Red Ryder BB gun? A new laptop? A roof rack and two kayaks? Creating a holiday

MOWR…Is 2nd Grade the New 3rd Grade?

November 18, 2018Yolanda Wheelington Assessment, Education, Education Policy, Elementary, Life in the Classroom, Professional Development

Move On When Reading (MOWR) is a policy currently in effect with the intention of preparing students to be proficient readers by 3rd grade so they are properly prepared to enter 4th. This leads to the questions: What is so

25 Word Stories from Monsoon Season 2018: The Haboob of the New, and What Follows

September 7, 2018Amethyst Hinton Sainz Education, Education Policy, Life in the Classroom

Header Photo Credit: Sharla Hoff I remember that feeling, being in a haboob before we knew the word “haboob.” Wonderment, trepidation, a lungful of whatever was driven loose by wind. First day of junior high, and families arrive together, parents

Memorization is NOT a Four Letter Word

August 23, 2018Yolanda Wheelington Assessment, Current Affairs, Education, Elementary, Life in the Classroom, Uncategorized

The start of a new academic year had materialized, and I decided to start it off right. I asked myself “What is something that will make a big positive impact in my class right away?” The answer came quicker than I thought it

Having ESP: Why I am Red for Techs

April 27, 2018Amethyst Hinton Sainz Current Affairs, Education, Education Policy, Life in the Classroom, Literacy, Love, Uncategorized

When we were kids we used to joke about having ESP, extra-sensory perception. We thought it would be a blast to be psychic, read people’s minds and look into the future. Now, as a junior high teacher, I am often

Holiday Tears and Cheers with English Language Learners

December 23, 2017Amethyst Hinton Sainz Life in the Classroom, Love, Social Issues

There are many moments when I really wish my Spanish was better, and yesterday was one of those moments. It was the last day of the semester, and my introduction level English Language Development class (grade 7 and 8) was

When Executive Orders Get Personal

February 22, 2017Amethyst Hinton Sainz Current Affairs, Life in the Classroom, Social Issues

Yesterday as I drove home from work. NPR reported on the new executive orders expanding the groups prioritized for immigration enforcement– in effect, increasing the number of deportations of undocumented immigrants. But I didn’t hear much of the story. After

Reality Check for This Here Teacher

February 20, 2017Amethyst Hinton Sainz Assessment, Education, Education Policy

Are we in a post-truth society? Are we hopelessly floating in our bubbles of alternative facts and biased narratives? Or can reasoning and evidence prevail? The truth is that sometimes, one doesn’t even need the facts to be “alternative” to

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