There is no way around it, teaching is a challenge. The experience of a teacher is hard to communicate to those outside the profession. That’s why it’s so important to have strong relationships with other people going through the same
Read More
Literacy and STEM
A few weeks ago, I was blessed to attend a wonderful Professional Development at the Arizona Science Center called “Integrating STEM Through Literature”. It did exactly that! Hosted in the CREATE Makerspace, I joined ten other teachers in linking the
Read MoreTeaching the Holocaust
Should everyone teach the Holocaust or only those who have had training? I ask this question because recently our ELA teacher went on medical leave and left as her lesson for the remainder of the year to have the sub
Read MoreBRICS Are For Kids!
Let me begin with an apology. This spat will not include a lot of formal research or quotes. Well, not as much as I want to give. This is a topic that each person will need to do their own
Read More
Pacing, Planning, and Flexibility
This is just going to be the best lesson ever! I know exactly what I need to do, exactly what materials I need, and exactly how long it will take! (rarely ever said by teachers) Pacing is always a concern
Read More
An Impromptu Conversation – Part 1
There are few enjoyable moments during testing as a teacher. But I find sometimes magic moments come out of it. This year as I was proctoring the AASA test to the English as a Second Language students, I had a
Read MorePumpkin and Spice
Pumpkin and Spice “Squeak, squeak, squeak”.…is the greeting I hear every morning when I open the door to my third grade classroom. I walk over to the opposite end of the room and greet the class guinea pigs,
Read MoreThe End Is Near….
The end is near. Near, but yet it feels SO FAR away…. Of course, I mean the end of the school year. That glorious time of Science/STEM/STEAM fairs, state assessments, Book Fairs, district benchmark testing, finals, planning for promotion ceremonies
Read More
Anything but Standard
It’s the most frightening time of the year. The sun starts to shine as I’m driving to school in the morning. Some of my favorite lessons are taught during the spring. Being an avid hiker and explorer, my weekends are
Read More