This summer, I saw my life unfold on the silver screen — yes, my life has been adapted into a feature film. The flattering part of it was that when it came to casting, the executives at Disney spared no
Read MoreThe Number Ten
The number ten is significant to me this year. Ten is the number of years my husband and I have been together. Ten is the number of fingers on your hand and toes on your feet. Ten is the birthday
Read MoreYear 35 or Year 1?
Sunday, August 8, 2021, 6:35 AM Tomorrow, Year 35 as a classroom teacher begins with a big change in my professional context. For the first time since Ronald Reagan was president and the Bangles walked like Egyptians (you’ve got watch this), I’ll
Read MoreReady To Weather The Storm
Tropical Storm ‘Tuition’ may be about to clear up. And for many, that’s a relief, a sign of a better future, the dawn of a new day in education. The support for free tuition has increased in popularity over the
Read MoreThank You Retirees
Last week, my district honored our retirees. As I listened to each of their accomplishments and accolades, I couldn’t help but worry about the loss of so many years of experience, wisdom, and knowledge. As the program went on, I
Read MoreGood-Bye Arizona
This might be the most challenging blog post I have written to date, for I am moving on at the end of this year. I am leaving the safety-net of the connections I have made, and the projects I have
Read MoreCompliments and Appreciations
As the 2020-2021 school year comes to a close, I am reflecting on things that went well, what to bring into next year, what to leave behind, and where I need to grow. I have three more weeks of school,
Read MoreCovid Kids: Learning Loss or Immeasurable Gains?
I recently read an online post in which someone described their frustrating year, teaching from behind a screen. They shared that this was a “lost” year for student learning. Yet, I wonder if that’s true. Did our students truly slide
Read MoreBeyond the Standards
Most teachers, including myself, feel that standards are a significant part of the learning process. They help keep our students on track. They help us organize and develop our curriculum and our yearly scope and sequence. Students then take tests
Read MoreSplash Around
It’s warm, but the sun is on the descent. The tall grass is gripping onto the cool wind as it tries to come in off the water. The opening between patches of tall grass is a clear entry point into
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