February 2017 - STORIES FROM SCHOOL AZ

SB 1038 – Lets Save High School Physics and Chem

February 26, 2017Mike Vargas Current Affairs, Education, Education Policy, Mathematics, Professional Development, Science

In Arizona, no one can argue that the shortage of teachers is at crisis proportions. There are less and less reasons each year to return to the classroom for teachers statewide. In the sciences, we are even harder pressed

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

Received

February 19, 2017Donnie Dicus Assessment, Current Affairs, Education Policy, Elementary, Life in the Classroom

Recently, Secretary of Education Betsy Devos stated that many teachers are in “receive mode’ and are “waiting to be told what to do.” Many teacher advocates became ablaze with outrage as they decried this statement. I understand how many are

Test Talks or Stress Talks?

February 17, 2017Treva Jenkins Assessment, Education, Education Policy

Yes, it’s that time again. It’s time for the wonderful world of standardized testing. All is a buzz in the teacher’s lounge. Nope. Not really. This year, I feel more stress coming from my little scholars than I do my colleagues.

Where I Live

February 16, 2017Beth Maloney Education, Elementary, Parent Involvment

Like Oscar Wilde, I learned in elementary school that it was only in the theater that I lived. I was one of the kids who found a home in the sharp contrast of the blinding stage lights and the inky

Questioning Ourselves

February 15, 2017Mike Lee Education, Education Policy

You don’t need me to tell you that education is facing a crisis in funding, teachers, and, most importantly, confidence. When it feels like so many people outside the public education sphere are not supporting our mission through action, it’s easy

Your Time to Shine: Get to Work

February 13, 2017Jess Ledbetter Uncategorized

So last week was a pretty devastating blow to education on a national level. (I can’t state why due to the non-political nature of this blog, but I’m pretty sure most readers don’t need me to spell it out.) Social

50 Minute Recess: An Experience in a K Classroom

February 3, 2017Danielle Brown Current Affairs, Education, Education Policy, Elementary, Games, Life in the Classroom, Teacher Leadership

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

APATHY IN ARIZONA

February 1, 2017Mike Vargas Education, Education Policy, Mathematics, Mentoring, Professional Development, Science, Social Issues, Teacher Leadership, Uncategorized

APATHY IN ARIZONA Recently I walked into a gas station and inquired about the job posting. The manager position I inquired about offered a higher salary per year than our new first year teachers with specialized training in education. When