The question I had been waiting for… “So, Mrs. Maloney, where are you in terms of the pacing guide?” I knew that it would come during one of our “data chats” in which teachers check in with our administration team
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Creating Student Voice in the Classroom
We are living in a culture where everyday people become active participants in their environment (YouTube, reporting the news through their cell phones, co-teaching with the instructor in a gym class, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc.). Why should education be any
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A Snow Day Solution
When I moved from Pennsylvania to Flagstaff, I spent a good deal of time explaining to my friends and family that yes, it does indeed snow in Arizona. As we gear up for winter in the mountains, my thoughts have
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Two Essential Ingredients in Education – Engagement and Management
I’m sure if you asked either of my student teachers about what I would say are the top two important things to master in order to be successful in your classroom that they would both say classroom management and student
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Conquering the Impossible Task
I was reading about the phenomenon of “the impossible task” and thought of students who seem to “daydream” and never get anything accomplished during school. Is this a lack of focus or a symptom of depression that gets overlooked? I’ve
Read MorePartnering with Students with Unique Needs
This article is a reflection on my experiences with my students with unique needs. “When he comes into your class, he may have a hard time adjusting. He has… …a learning disability …a speech impairment …occupational and executive functioning delays
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10 Weeks In
The week before break. Nothing prepares you for the week before a break. Not your graduate or undergraduate courses, not attending in-service learning, nor engaging in webinars. You run on adrenaline, navigating in and out of exhaustion, trying your best
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All We Need is Love…
In these turbulent times, I was really inspired by the Az K-12 Homeroom article entitled, “Spreading Kindness in the Classroom.” Now, more than ever, teaching our young people civility inside and outside of the classroom is paramount. Throughout my many
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Using My Teacher Voice
Last year I participated in our statewide teacher walkout. This experience changed my perspective in a myriad of ways. Marching to the capitol with thousands of teachers, administrators, parents, students, and supporters is one of the most memorable moments of
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Students in Motion
At the start of school this year, I started videotaping lessons for my National Board pursuit. Initially there was a lot of annoyance over how my voice sounded and how much I played with my hair, but then I started
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