It’s hard for me to believe, but after twenty years of teaching, this is my last week as a teacher. I wrote my letter of resignation a few months ago. It was a short, simple statement beginning with my intention
Read More
Hope Through Grief
Field Day-CANCELED Packing up the classroom- with students ALONE Year-End Awards-CANCELED Spring Musical-POSTPONED Graduation-VIRTUAL Teacher Appreciation-SOCIAL MEDIA Prom-CANCELED Presentation of Culminating Projects-ONLINE I am really grieving the loss of the 4th Quarter of school. It’s always chaotic, exhausting, hot, frustrating,
Read More
What’s Your “Better”? Learning How To Move With Change
The last month and a half has been a sea of constant change. I recently re-read Who Moved My Cheese? by Dr. Spencer Johnson. It’s my go to read when I’m forced into unexpected and unwanted change. It reminds me
Read More
To Nationals and Beyond!
Back in April, before COVID put the breaks on all things normal, I had the opportunity to interview the dynamic bundle of intellect and inspiration that is 14-year old Xharia W. Xharia, an 8th grader at Shaw Montessori in Phoenix,
Read More
The Long Goodbye
This is dedicated to the Basha High School Class of 2020. My sweet, smart, empathetic, hilarious, amazing senior class. You will forever have a place in my heart. You made me love teaching at a time where it was almost
Read More
Six Feet Apart
I spent this past weekend recreating, cutting, and mailing invitations to my sister’s socially distant baby shower. In our three months of planning, it has morphed from a typical party of baby themed games to a drive-by wave at the
Read More
Reflections of a Teacher Saying Goodbye
As my twenty-year classroom teaching career draws to a close, I feel the need to share my reflections and important things I’ve learned. There is nothing more important than classroom community. First and foremost, classroom community affects student behavior. It
Read More
Readiness for Remote Learning in Our Innovative School
Since Arizona closed schools March 16, like my Stories from School colleagues and many other people around the world, I have experienced alternating episodes of hope, tears, escapism, distress, mental dispersal, zen, joy,
Read More
Grief Carousel: An Unexpected Ride
Just two months back, I spent some time answering the question What is your teaching theme song? After much reflection, I announced that my teaching theme song is Best Day of My Life because that’s how I want my students
Read More
Am I Doing Enough? An Affirmation for Teachers
Anxious, uncertain, afraid – I have felt all these emotions the last few weeks. At times, it has been overwhelming. But, in the face of it all, the adjective that describes what I am feeling most is awestruck. I am
Read More