Am I ready? Before students enter the class from the first day of school to the last, it is the goal of most teachers to have the classroom ready and prepared to receive them. In addition to being functional,
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Starting a New School Year with a Proven “Formula” for Success
I am so excited to see 6th grade teachers and students rejoin our middle school campuses. We use to have 6th grade on my campus a few years ago, but the decision was made to remove them and placed them
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A 1% Investment in Future Human Capital for the Sake of our Children
We need parents and stakeholders to step up and help get Arizona fixed. We need to start demanding that our kids get quality instructors, facilities, and equipment to make our next generation something to be proud of. I
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Neighborhood Knowhow: The Story of an Hour
As we climbed into the dusty school van, I wondered what the next sixty minutes held. My assistant principal jumped behind the wheel while my principal settled into the front seat as the new teachers, myself included, climbed into the
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My All-Star TOY School
This past week, I sat on the interview panel for Arizona Rural Teacher of the Year. I have worked with Teachers of the Year in the past and I know the quality of teachers they are. In fact, I nominated
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The True Meaning of Collaboration
After twenty-plus years working in schools, I’ve done it all….almost. I’ve taught various subjects and several grade levels; served as a school principal and college counselor; had my share of hard talks with parents and students; and delivered commencement speeches.
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Summer Learnin,’ Had Me a Blast
I’m usually a firm believer in the “too much rest is rust” saying by Sir Walter Scott. However, upon completing the school year in May, my body needed a little time to rust, I mean, rest. Summer days driftin’ away
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Should Undocumented Teachers Be Allowed to Cross Professional Borders? Part Two
In an attempt to ease Arizona’s open-position crisis, recently passed Senate Bill 1042 permits schools to hire applicants with content expertise but no coursework in education. The law applies to grades six through twelve, as do the vignettes that follow.
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Should Undocumented Teachers Be Allowed to Cross Professional Borders? Part One
In an attempt to ease Arizona’s open-position crisis, Senate Bill 1042 permits schools to hire applicants with content expertise but no coursework in education. The law applies to grades six through twelve, as do the comments below. (Part Two contains
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Addressing Dyslexia in Arizona, Part 1
Frida Kahlo is known for her vibrancy in art and life, and her courage. Although I have always loved the surreal, direct qualities of her portraits, I had forgotten that she experienced injury and illness that led to multiple physical
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