Way back in the Fall of 1994, when I started college, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. I took all of the required classes, did my homework, and even had to put in “service hours” in classrooms. I
Read MoreLasting Impressions
Ossie Davis once said, “Any form of art is a form of power; it has impact, it can affect change. It can not only move us, it makes us move.” When I was a fourth grader walking into
Read MorePat on the Back
Yesterday my students took the ACT. Not only is it a college placement test, the ACT also counts as our state’s required test for the year. It is a lot of pressure on my juniors, but as their English teacher,
Read MoreEmpowering Teachers: A Strategy For Teacher Retention
I thought I knew what my next professional development cycle would be. Then I reviewed the results of a student survey I gave and realized I needed to go in a different direction for my PD cycle. Our administration seeks
Read MoreA teacher’s Spring Break
Spring Break – the week of extra naps, family time, adventures, and lesson planning. Wait, what?? Lesson planning? Grading papers? On Spring Break? Unfortunately, yes, this is the fate of many of us. One of my coworkers even joked with
Read MoreStudent Motivation
It’s March already, and I don’t know about you, but at our elementary school, student motivation is lacking at this time of the year. The old students know that state testing is coming up. They also know that their teachers
Read MoreBringing Culture Into Class
When I picture my ideal science classroom, I see all of my students’ different perspectives and cultures coming together as we explore the ever changing world of science. I want my students to see themselves in the content we are
Read MoreWhy We Need Black History Month
Well it’s here, the end of Black History Month. This is the time when teachers put away their MLK posters that have been up since January 16th. They remove the “Black History Month” display from the office, end the daily
Read MoreBuilding Relationships
How much do we know about our students? Do we know who they live with? Do they have pets? Do we know how many siblings they have? Do they have any other brothers/sisters/cousins at your school? One of the most
Read MoreUnintended Positive Consequences of Being an ASU ASAP Fellow
I was so excited to learn that I was accepted into ASU’s ASAP Fellowship. I would finally receive the support and resources I needed to help deliver more meaningful STEM opportunities in my class. I was expecting for this to
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