One thing that I intentionally make a part of our class culture is student ownership of our environment. In a time when children’s contributions are minimized, the classroom is one place where they can expect to have something to offer.
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Relationships Matter
Every Wednesday I meet with my advisory. We started together when they were sophomores, and now, three years later, they are big, bad seniors who are almost ready to graduate. Our class started with about 25 students, but with transfers,
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STEM Funding and Support Opportunities
We are all aware that we are in the technology era. As a teacher of this era, I recognize that STEM learning opportunities are necessary. It is as important as teaching standard math and language arts, yet many teachers are
Read MoreIn Defense of Offense
Parent-teacher conferences were this week. Usually, it’s a parade of star students with doting parents walking from teacher to teacher to receive their accolades – or the opposite: students with single digit grades, their parents droning, threatening cell phones, video
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TGIF! Waiting for a Weekend
TGIF! Four letters that symbolize a short, but much needed reprieve for many working Americans. In the world of education, TGIF during the school year usually looks a little different. We may get to sleep in a few more minutes
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Wait… Early Admission to Kindergarten is a Real Thing?
The scene is set in a bedroom, full of clothing piles and random children’s toys scattered around the room. It is nighttime, and one light is on, leaving the room with a dark quiet feeling. Husband, Matt, is laying down
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What is CTE anyways?
As September comes to a close, it’s hard to believe that my district has already completed 8 weeks of school. It’s a wonderful and bittersweet time in my middle school Career and Technical Education (CTE) classroom. My students have grown
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Be A Bucket Filler
I was walking to my classroom during my prep period one morning when I was passing a kindergarten class. They were walking in a squiggly line, their teacher instructing them at the back. Beads of sweat were present on all
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Goal Setting
“Great leaders don’t set out to be a leader…they set out to make a difference. It’s never about the role – always about the goal” – Lisa Haisha This speaks to so many educators in the classroom today. We all
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