As we climbed into the dusty school van, I wondered what the next sixty minutes held. My assistant principal jumped behind the wheel while my principal settled into the front seat as the new teachers, myself included, climbed into the
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Summer Learnin,’ Had Me a Blast
I’m usually a firm believer in the “too much rest is rust” saying by Sir Walter Scott. However, upon completing the school year in May, my body needed a little time to rust, I mean, rest. Summer days driftin’ away
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School Choice Stress: The Pressure on Kindergarten Families
In theory, I agree with the idea of “school choice.” If parents have strong feelings about their child attending a certain school, I think school choice makes sense. But for the rest of our community, I think the school choice
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8th Grade Promotion: Party, Pomp or Passé?
A few weeks ago, I attended my son’s 8th grade promotion ceremony. Needless to say, I am extremely proud of him. He has overcome many obstacles and is becoming a responsible student and a principled friend and citizen, in addition
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The Emotional Toll of the Last Day
Yesterday was the last day of school. There was a pizza party, yearbook signing, and lots of adorably dramatic pre-teen tears mingling with shouts of joy. In theory, I should have woken up today with a feeling of freedom and
Read MoreVouchers Can Bridge the Income-Tuition Gap
Note: Some numbers from the Private School Review provide perspective for what follows: Currently, 64,353 Arizona students attend 478 private schools. Elementary schools charge an average of $6,268 per year for tuition and high schools charge an average of $17,116.
Read MoreI Teach In a Traditional Public School and I Support School Choice
I’m a traditional public school teacher (and union rep), and I support school choice. As a right-leaning independent with a high concentration of libertarianism running through my veins, I default to political positions that tilt the balance of power toward
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This is Our World
This past fall our district passed an override adding 50 new teaching positions and upgrading technology. This was a great victory for our community and schools. It showed a partnership, commitment and trust had been built and a promise moving
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When Executive Orders Get Personal
Yesterday as I drove home from work. NPR reported on the new executive orders expanding the groups prioritized for immigration enforcement– in effect, increasing the number of deportations of undocumented immigrants. But I didn’t hear much of the story. After
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APATHY IN ARIZONA
APATHY IN ARIZONA Recently I walked into a gas station and inquired about the job posting. The manager position I inquired about offered a higher salary per year than our new first year teachers with specialized training in education. When
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