I, like so many teachers across the country, am still teaching online. My district has made the decision that we will be fully online until at least January (depending on the metrics), which means I am committed to doing my
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Four Practices Worth Carrying Forward
I have 11 desks in my classroom and zero periods in which they are all filled. Normally, I would have 32 desks and one or two classes completely full classes. Going into 3rd Period the other day, with 10 students,
Read MoreAll I ever really needed to know about teaching I learned in elementary school.
All I ever really needed to know about teaching I learned in elementary school. The luckiest thing to ever happen to me was that the world’s most fabulous teacher happened to work at the public school I attended as a
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Snapshot of a Silent Classroom
For the first time ever in my career, you can walk into my classroom almost any time these days and it is silent, students sitting facing forward in their desks. District policy dictates that the desks face the front of the
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The Little Things
Teaching is tough these days. No doubt about it. This blog post is not intended to minimize the very real suffering felt by teachers across Arizona. But it is meant to maximize the very real impact teachers are having on
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The High Cost of Teaching
Finding teachers has been challenging across Arizona for the past decade. Finding teachers has been all but impossible this year. Districts are contending with record openings. According to data from the Arizona School Personnel Administrators Association, as of August 31st,
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Hybrid’s Not Enough- A Case for a Full Return
I was thrilled to begin hybrid instruction when my district decided to offer that option to families following fall break. I couldn’t wait to see my students in person. I was excited to see them interacting with their peers in
Read MoreTeaching This Way Is Hard Work!
This week I have been analyzing the engagement strategies I am using at the college level to acronymous and synchronous teach. I’m not going to sugar coat it, and some of you have probably been doing it longer than me,
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Back to School Nightmares
The nightmares always roll in like an angry storm system a few weeks before school starts. Students standing on their desks, unexpected observations by the principal, students not listening, being late to school, being unprepared, and angry parents are some
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Is This the Year to Start NBCT?
Is this the year to start your National Board journey? It’s a challenging year already. Do I want to take on more? GREAT questions that need significant time to ponder. I would also suggest finding a thought partner (or two)
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