Today, Governor Ducey and Superintendent Hoffman officially announced that Arizona schools will remain closed for the rest of the school year. I do not think anyone was surprised based on the push for a systemic approach for online instruction that
Read More10 Seconds At A Time
As I wrap up my first week, trying to navigate a constantly changing job description and managing a new “home office”, I am overwhelmed. I have cried every day this week. I want to do what’s best for my students,
Read MoreOh, How We Miss You
Last week wrapped up my school’s spring break. And with all the news about COVID-19, school closures, and digital learning, this break was anything but relaxing. Officially, we are only on day 3 of our school closure, but it has
Read MoreFostering and Developing Classroom Community in Our Brave New World
Teaching is about relationships and community. As Carla Shalaby says in her fabulous book Troublemakers, “It is deeply relational, human work” (p. 172). I’m struggling to hit the right notes as we consider moving to online or distance learning (aka
Read MoreBracketology
Yesterday used to be one of my favorite days of the year: Selection Sunday. For those unfamiliar with the madness that is March, Selection Sunday is the day where sixty-eight NCAA men’s basketball teams receive their place in the championship
Read MoreCOVID-19, 2020. When Districts Remain Open.
In the light of COVID-19 concerns, the familiar juxtaposition of professional athletes’ salaries to teacher pay takes on a new context. Why is every public event I can think of cancelled in every community I know, while many districts will
Read MoreWhat We Can Learn From Veteran Teachers
As a teacher, I spent my first couple of years eating at the “kids” table at lunch. I worked in a very veteran department where many of the teachers had been around for 10 or 15 years, if not more.
Read MoreWhy Am I Teaching This Way?
Have you ever thought, “Why am I doing this activity? What is the point?” A common response from veteran teachers is something like, “I’ve done it this way for ___ years!” A few years ago, I would say something similar
Read MoreAssessing Civics
“There may be a lot of things that Democrats and Republicans disagree on, but educating our students about American civics is something almost everyone can agree is vital.” -Governor Ducey, February 2017 In 2018, Governor Doug Ducey signed SB
Read MoreA Digital World
Technology in schools is always a hot button issue. For every teacher that loves their tech, another hates it and vows to never use it; for every school that goes 1-1, another throws away all their devices and digs out
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