There is a lot of research for and against having assigned seats in the classroom. I’ve been in education for almost 20 years, and I have to tell you that I still don’t have the secret answer!! The only thing
Read MoreFall Break
October already? Time for Fall Break!! Where did the first quarter go? Has it already been 8 or 9 weeks of school? I can’t wait for the break to start! Are you ready for parent/teacher conferences? Do you have your
Read MoreYou Want It, You Make It
One thing that I intentionally make a part of our class culture is student ownership of our environment. In a time when children’s contributions are minimized, the classroom is one place where they can expect to have something to offer.
Read MoreRelationships Matter
Every Wednesday I meet with my advisory. We started together when they were sophomores, and now, three years later, they are big, bad seniors who are almost ready to graduate. Our class started with about 25 students, but with transfers,
Read MoreGoal Setting
“Great leaders don’t set out to be a leader…they set out to make a difference. It’s never about the role – always about the goal” – Lisa Haisha This speaks to so many educators in the classroom today. We all
Read MoreSnakes In A Classroom?
Snakes on a plane? No way! Snakes in a classroom? YES!! I have a snake in my 7th grade science classroom. His name is Sssteve and he is a ball python. The kids LOVE him! I was able
Read MorePutting on my Running Shoes
I stumble into my closet half asleep after my alarm goes off way too early in the morning, and get dressed. Shirt – check. Pants – check Shoes – cute heels, check. A memory from yesterday flashes through my mind
Read MoreFinding Myself During a New School Year
I’m proud to be a teacher. I love impacting lives and inspiring others to love learning just as much as I do. However, it can be dangerous to have your entire identity only in teaching and forget the other parts
Read MoreReturning to School After Uvalde
This July marked the beginning of my 14th year teaching in Arizona. Born and raised in this state, it’s my 27th start of school in Arizona public schools. After a really hard 2021-2022 school year—staffing shortages, battles over curriculum, the
Read More