Summer break is winding down and I’m doing the usual stuff in preparation for the upcoming school year – scheduling lunches with teacher-friends who’ll be at different schools for the upcoming year, late summer trips to see relatives, thinking (not ready to actually work yet) about what I want to do with my new students, and buying new eyeglasses. There’s… Read more →

Something that routinely occurs with many teachers is the need to reflect on how our observations and experiences relate to our roles in educating children. The highly publicized murders of seven individuals over the last 4 days were tragic for many, but especially for their families and all of those who felt a connection to those gentlemen. I did not know… Read more →

We don’t like to hear it, and most times we shouldn’t use it. In addition to seeing fewer people believe that sharing a Facebook post will result in money, my wish/hope/prayer/desire for 2016 would be that I’d see as few statements as possible in the upcoming year that begin with, “Well, if.” Let’s face it, we don’t always like to… Read more →

I, like many teachers, arose on this first Monday after Thanksgiving break and completed my usual routine before heading to work. I thought about lessons, I wondered if the kids were going to be a bit wired after break, I looked at my calendar to see if there were upcoming IEP meetings, etc. Although we enjoyed a WEEK away from… Read more →

I’m sure that title grabbed your attention.  It’ll be clarified further in the post.  Until then… Have you ever experienced a full circle moment in your professional life? The first time that occurred was during parent-teacher conferences as a rookie teacher. It was my first time being on the other side of one of those school-family conversations and I recall thinking, I’m… Read more →

There’s a general consensus among parents and adults that teen years are the most compliant, agreeable, joyous, non-brooding, self-deprecating and cooperative period in a young adult’s life.  Forget those giggles you may have experienced when they were toddlers, as well as the frequent “yes mom” or “yes dad” when they were between the ages of 6 and 10. As for tweens,… Read more →

The student was asked to put her phone away.  She refused, and was told to leave the classroom.  She refused to leave, and the school contacted a police officer.  It. Was. A. Phone! I’m watching a cable news show at the moment and I can’t believe they just completed a frame by frame analysis of how the situation escalated because… Read more →

I sent this email to the staff at my school after a conversation with another teacher.  It has been a tough year for many of us with larger classes, new curricula, and new students that can’t quite get it together (yet) with behavior.  Despite those things, we have a responsibility to ensure we’re always mindful of how we perceive and interact with children. It’s tough…we’re… Read more →

I recently traveled to DC with my Early Childhood Education cohort for participation and presentation at a Department of Education, Special Education conference. Our nation’s capital is a remarkable place that allows you to combine official business with federal agencies and politicians, along with opportunities to increase your knowledge of culture, history and to have a bit of plain o’l… Read more →

I remember peeking into the teachers’ lounge when I was an elementary student and saw something that literally rocked my world. To be honest, it sort of messed with my head for a long time.  I discovered that my 3rd grade teacher smoked cigarettes!!  It wasn’t a big deal that my dad smoked, but Mrs. Sinclair?? Noooo!  I might be dating… Read more →