Tag : “Writing”

A Student of My Students First

November 12, 2018Beth Maloney Current Affairs, Education, Education Policy, Elementary, Life in the Classroom, Social Issues, Uncategorized

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

Memorization is NOT a Four Letter Word

August 23, 2018Yolanda Wheelington Assessment, Current Affairs, Education, Elementary, Life in the Classroom, Uncategorized

The start of a new academic year had materialized, and I decided to start it off right. I asked myself “What is something that will make a big positive impact in my class right away?” The answer came quicker than I thought it

Clarity through Focus (Part 2) and #RedforEd

May 11, 2018Yolanda Wheelington Assessment, Current Affairs, Education, Education Policy, Elementary, Life in the Classroom, Professional Development, Social Issues, Teacher Leadership, Uncategorized

What I discovered at our school was something that we already knew: Although we are an urban-based public school within a district with issues mirroring the nation, we had little to no annual teacher turnover. Our students return to a

African American Influence on U.S. Government

February 23, 2018Yolanda Wheelington Current Affairs, Education, Education Policy, Elementary, Life in the Classroom, Professional Development, Social Issues, Teacher Leadership

African American Influence on U.S. Government As February winds down, let’s remember that the celebration of African American influence does not have to end. In honor of this, we will take a look at some of the ways that

photo credit: Thompson Rivers Click the link to watch the video: Intro to the Writing Centre via photopin (license)

A Jonah Day aka Academic Struggle in High Achieviers

January 9, 2018Yolanda Wheelington Assessment, Current Affairs, Education, Elementary, Life in the Classroom, Literacy, Love, Mathematics, Mentoring, Parent Involvment, Science, Social Issues, Uncategorized, Web/Tech, Weblogs

There I stood in my lovely class of 1st – 3rd graders with 29 eagerly engaged students and 3 crying in agony. The cries were not from physical pain, but the emotional turmoil that sets in when we sit in places of discomfort.

Back in Black

November 10, 2017Alaina Adams Education, Education Policy, Life in the Classroom, Literacy, Love, Social Issues, Teacher Leadership, Uncategorized

It has, undoubtedly, been a minute since I’ve posted a blog. Since the presidential election last year, there has been much going on in our world that has given me pause – pause to the point of not being able

Addressing Dyslexia in Arizona, Part 1

July 17, 2017Amethyst Hinton Sainz Assessment, Current Affairs, Education, Education Policy, Elementary, Literacy, Parent Involvment, Professional Development

Frida Kahlo is known for her vibrancy in art and life, and her courage. Although I have always loved the surreal, direct qualities of her portraits, I had forgotten that she experienced injury and illness that led to multiple physical

Matriculation and Metaphor: The Mother of All Core Skills

May 13, 2014Amethyst Hinton Sainz Life in the Classroom, Literacy

I had a lovely Mother's Day, thank you. A word root for "mother" is embedded in much language surrounding education: matrix, matriculation, alma mater. To begin to reflect on this phenomenon, one must retreat into a bit of metaphorical thinking.

You Must Write Your Teacher Life

May 20, 2013Amethyst Hinton Sainz Education, Education Policy, Professional Development, Teacher Leadership, Weblogs

Why every teacher should be a writer.

Who are We Protecting?

August 10, 2012Amethyst Hinton Sainz Education, Education Policy, Life in the Classroom, Professional Development, Social Issues

I explore what happens to individual teachers and students when even the best policies are not given the resources they need to function as intended, using the example of mandatory reporting laws.