April 2020 - STORIES FROM SCHOOL AZ

What’s Your “Better”? Learning How To Move With Change

April 29, 2020Nicole Wolff Current Affairs, Education, Education Policy, Elementary, Life in the Classroom, Mentoring, Teacher Leadership

The last month and a half has been a sea of constant change. I recently re-read Who Moved My Cheese? by Dr. Spencer Johnson. It’s my go to read when I’m forced into unexpected and unwanted change. It reminds me

To Nationals and Beyond!

April 28, 2020Yolanda Wheelington Current Affairs, Education, Life in the Classroom, Social Issues

Back in April, before COVID put the breaks on all things normal, I had the opportunity to interview the dynamic bundle of intellect and inspiration that is 14-year old Xharia W. Xharia, an 8th grader at Shaw Montessori in Phoenix,

Canva - Person Writing on Black Board with Chalk

The Long Goodbye

April 27, 2020Elizabeth Schley Evans Current Affairs, Education, Life in the Classroom

This is dedicated to the Basha High School Class of 2020. My sweet, smart, empathetic, hilarious, amazing senior class. You will forever have a place in my heart. You made me love teaching at a time where it was almost

Six Feet Apart

April 23, 2020Rachel Perugini Current Affairs, Education, Life in the Classroom

I spent this past weekend recreating, cutting, and mailing invitations to my sister’s socially distant baby shower. In our three months of planning, it has morphed from a typical party of baby themed games to a drive-by wave at the

Reflections of a Teacher Saying Goodbye

April 21, 2020Beth Maloney Education, Elementary, Life in the Classroom, Love, Professional Development, Teacher Leadership

As my twenty-year classroom teaching career draws to a close, I feel the need to share my reflections and important things I’ve learned. There is nothing more important than classroom community. First and foremost, classroom community affects student behavior. It

Get your goggles. We have a flood.

April 17, 2020James King Uncategorized

Coughing. Gasping. Thrashing through rapids. With unexpected waves drudging rocks, sludge, and debry down upon a once placid lake, a well-prepared swimmer would panic. Nose plugs, goggles, and a swim cap do nothing to prevent the swirling catastrophe closing in.

Readiness for Remote Learning in Our Innovative School

April 15, 2020Amethyst Hinton Sainz Assessment, Current Affairs, Education, Life in the Classroom, Mentoring, Teacher Leadership

Since Arizona closed schools March 16, like my Stories from School colleagues and many other people around the world, I have experienced alternating episodes of hope, tears, escapism, distress, mental dispersal, zen, joy,

Grief Carousel: An Unexpected Ride

April 13, 2020Jess Ledbetter Education, Life in the Classroom, Social Issues

Just two months back, I spent some time answering the question What is your teaching theme song? After much reflection, I announced that my teaching theme song is Best Day of My Life because that’s how I want my students

Maslow Before Bloom

April 10, 2020Randi Fielding Uncategorized

Educators have a tough job right now. We’ve been told by Superintendent Hoffman to “continue to provide educational opportunities to students to the best of [our] ability” during this time of school closure and world-wide pandemic. We’re doing our best

Crisis Leadership

April 9, 2020Jaime Festa-Daigle Uncategorized

I always thought I was a strong leader, but nothing has tested my leadership like COVID-19. It has tested the leadership of every school administrator in a way that is different from everything else. In a matter of days, our