For the last year I have been on a journey into the life of a man I did not know, but who has taught me a lot about myself and the history of us as Americans and explorers. In
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An End to Civil Discourse: One Teacher’s Response to HB2002
Remember how I reminded us to trust, but verify? HB20002 was the first education bill dropped this session. It is a bill outlining a ban against teachers discussing any political issues, court cases, and/or current legislation in school. I don’t
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Are You Really Running Out of Time?
It’s a new calendar year, and many resolutions have been made. According to an article on goskills.com the top 10 resolutions for 2019 are: Exercise more Lose weight Get organized Learn a new skill or hobby Live life to the
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Trust, but Verify
I am alternately hopeful, terrified, and jubilant. I check Twitter obsessively. My anxiety is easily triggered. It must be time for the Arizona legislative session. Even in a state known for wacky and colorful political antics, it promises to be
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Dealing with Student Death
It is something that is becoming all too common in schools across Arizona, the need for schools to support students and staff as they grieve for classmates, friends, and students that pass. In my first ten years of teaching, this
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Applying the Principles of “Good to Great” in the Classroom
National Board score releases have come and gone and I was relieved to see the “Congratulations!” banner come across my screen. That was a sweet, sweet moment and I am thankful to all of those who helped and supported
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The Other Opportunity Cost of Teaching
I came home in a serious funk, slamming the door behind me, barking at my family, huffing and puffing under the heavy weight of the stack of papers I bring home (optimistically) every evening. I sat down on my bed
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A Student of My Students First
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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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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