I’ve been wearing red every Wednesday since March 2018. I’ve worn it for better teacher wages, for more funding for student resources, for building repairs and curriculum updates, and as a desperate plea for respect for the teaching profession. I’ve
Read MoreLife as a Preschool Ninja
Yeah, you read that right. I’m a well-trained ninja. I can block flying items, catch falling kids, jump from the floor to my feet instantaneously, and open up doors using my knees when my hands are full. You might be
Read MoreRaising Digital Citizens
The layers of irony in the 1998 film You’ve Got Mail are numerous, but most overt is that the hit-you-over-the-head motif in the film is that the characters all use technology yet smite it. Technology will end society as we
Read MoreWant, Need, Wear, Read
I walked into the classroom of one of my beginning teachers and noticed a ‘teacher wishlist’ on her board. Some additions were obvious; it was December and supplies of tissues, dry erase markers, and hand sanitizer were running dangerously low
Read More‘Twas the Week Before Christmas
‘Twas the week before Christmas and we are ready for break No one was working how much more can we take? The students looked busy but I knew it was fake. How can they stay focused when the year is
Read MoreNo Goodbyes
Last Monday, Diana did not show up to school. After I take attendance, I habitually ask the class for confirmation of who is missing, just to keep me on my toes. “So, Diana’s absent?” “Yes.” “Se fue a Mexico.” “She
Read MoreWaking Up is Hard to Do
Confession: I love a good princess story. When work and professional reading make my heart heavy, I’ve found that sometimes light reading is just the ticket to resurfacing out of the gloom. I recently read a short story by Cameron
Read MoreAn Interview with Jamie Valderrama on Compassion Fatigue
Jamie Valderrama works as the Undergraduate Coordinator for the Integrative Health Initiative and as a lecturer for ASU. She has developed curriculum, taught stress management courses, and now oversees 40 sections of stress management courses at ASU each semester. Prior
Read MoreResponding To Not So Nice Emails
Chances are, you have been on the receiving end of an email from a parent, a colleague, or someone else that is less than kind. I‘ve worked with many teachers who need help responding to these emails and I’ve devised
Read MoreI Love My Career!
I often hear words or phrases such as, “I can’t believe you do that job.” Or “There’s a special place in heaven for people like you.” I hear, “Man, no way would I do that job.” Or “I used to
Read More