“Is anyone else feeling like they are just hanging on by their fingernails?” This question, asked by a middle school teacher, interrupted a grade level discussion about a common formative assessment. The question opened the floodgates. Anxiety, dread, and frustration
Read MoreReflection and Refinement in Remote Teaching
Are you constantly reflecting and refining your teaching practice? So many teachers have not gotten the support they need to effectively teach remotely. What we do have is the gift of purposeful reflection that leads to changes in our craft.
Read MoreNBCT vs. COVID-19
We are all facing the challenges of COVID-19. Social distancing, face masks, staying at home, and online instruction. So…. is this a good time to pursue or continue with National Board Certification? Honestly, I think yes. It is. When I
Read MoreUnfinished Business
For months I knew what the topic of my May blog would be. When I left my school for spring break, I left a pile of student work on my desk and an open Google doc of qualitative and quantitative
Read MoreReflections 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 MoreHaving A Support System Important Now More Than Ever
We were all caught off guard by the Coronavirus. When I heard we weren’t heading back to school for the rest of the year, I began to panic. Like many of you, I began asking myself: “What am I going
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 MoreTeacher Retention: A Success Story
Last month, I wrote a blog about teacher retention and the need to “begin within” when it comes to teacher recruitment. Beginning within means school leaders need to be intentional with their efforts to entice valuable teachers to return to
Read MoreA Shot in the Arm
Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow. – Anthony J. D’Angelo Registration ✅ Accommodations booked ✅ Transportation arranged ✅ Family and Pets covered ✅ I was off to the Arizona Music Educators’ annual
Read MoreThe “Goldilocks” Zone
Have you ever quit something after your first time experiencing it because it was either too simple or too challenging? I have, multiple times. In my personal life, the Rubik’s cube immediately comes to mind. Several years ago, I remember
Read More