November 2019 - STORIES FROM SCHOOL AZ

Making Rainbows

November 27, 2019Randi Fielding Education, Professional Development

Reflection is the most important thing a teacher can do if they want to improve. We were told this as preservice teachers and we’re reminded of it constantly. We all know we need to do more of it in order

Thankful for Yes

November 26, 2019Nicole Wolff Education, Education Policy, Elementary, Life in the Classroom, Professional Development, Teacher Leadership

“Hey, are you willing to try something in your classroom?” “Can I come in your class and test something out with your students?” “I just read about a really intriguing strategy, will you read it and see what you think?”

Christmas in Phoenix 2019

November 25, 2019Yolanda Wheelington Current Affairs, Education, Life in the Classroom, Social Issues, Uncategorized

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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Practice What We Preach

November 22, 2019Rachel Perugini Uncategorized

True confession: blogging makes me nervous. It is the vulnerability of putting my thoughts into words and then putting those words on the internet for people to read and judge that worries me the most. It makes me so nervous

Can I Still Teach?

November 22, 2019Jaime Festa-Daigle Books, Education, Elementary, Life in the Classroom, Literacy

This past summer, I joined one of my community’s Rotary Clubs. For years I had gone to Rotary as a teacher and requested funds for this or that project or to share this or that school update or student success.

Spreading Kindness

November 20, 2019Elizabeth Schley Evans Education, Life in the Classroom, Love, Mentoring, Teacher Leadership

If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. -Dr. Maya Angelou Think about the emails you get as part of the school staff every day. Now, think about the emails you send every

Putting Our Whines in Perspective

November 18, 2019Sandy Merz Uncategorized

Hang around a group of teachers and it won’t belong before you hear one say something like, “Only a teacher is expected to grade 135 papers on their days off.” There’s always some truth to the complaint, but whenever I

Lessons in Loss, Failure, and Apathy: The Dysart Override/Bond Election

November 15, 2019Beth Maloney Current Affairs, Education, Education Policy, Parent Involvment, Social Issues

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

Chaos or Calm? You Have Control

November 14, 2019Jess Ledbetter Current Affairs, Education Policy, Elementary, Life in the Classroom

There’s a funny teacher shirt that always makes me smile. It has the words “Chaos Coordinator” blazon across the front in fancy glitter writing. Being a teacher sure feels like that, right? (especially if you teach preschool or kindergarten!) But

School Buses and Sea Horse Chariots

November 13, 2019James King Uncategorized

It is the 30th (gulp) anniversary of The Little Mermaid this week. I want to describe a scene to you that copyright law precludes me from simply displaying. In Ursula’s lair, there are dozens, nay, hundreds of creatures that with