So, I am sick. I am really sick. Last year I came down with Valley Fever. Let’s just say if I was on the Oregon trail; I probably wouldn’t have made it past Kansas. My illness knocked me
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Planning Blind: The Limitations of Test Scores
Warning: Grumpy face. You’ve run the race, and you need to start strategizing how you will train for the next one. But you won’t know the results of the race for months. Innovation can be exhilarating… as well as exhausting,
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Staying Present
Recently, I read the AZK12 Center’s Homeroom Article: Make the Most of Your Commute: 8 Tips for Teachers. This article provided several strategies and suggestions to use when you are stuck behind the wheel. One that stood out for me
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Snap: Academic Gaps Continue for African American Youth in AZ
As mentioned in my previous articles, I have set off on an inquiry regarding the academic status of African American students in Arizona. Although I am still in the gathering process, it is time to give an update on what
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Purchase Order Woes
Here is what drives me nuts about education finance. We are asked to operate as a business yet; we are not allowed to follow the same rules as businesses in regards to purchasing and acquisitioning. We need upgrades in how
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Touching Isn’t It?
As the silly sideshow of our perennial presidential campaigns rolls on, touching is in the news. As thoughts and memories flow through my mind, one conclusion is clear: It’s s really not that hard to figure out when, where, how,
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2 Weeks of Action
It is part of our mission of the Arizona National Board Certified Teachers Network to raise awareness about the impact of National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) on our students, schools, and profession. Many NBCTs have shared our stories about why
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At All Costs
Our youth today are often under so much pressure to achieve, but at what cost? They are constantly being bombarded with messages of building their resumes, creating these stellar college essays and participating in SAT and ACT test prep courses
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When Tests Matter
Last April started the dreaded month of state testing. A month is not an exaggeration either—my juniors took the ACT and the writing AZ Merit tests the first week, the reading test for 2 days the next week, and finally
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Pin and Add to Cart
Teacher A: “I loved what I taught today; the kids were so engaged!” Teacher B: “I’m so glad you got to see today’s lesson!” Teacher C: “Did you see my new student-created periodic table?” As a beginning teacher mentor whose
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