Just after 9 a.m. on Friday a seventh-grade student entered a classroom at Noblesville West Middle School and opened fire. One student was injured, and that number could have possibly been higher if not for the quick thinking of a science teacher. He charged and tackled the gunman. That teacher, identified as Jason Seaman, was…
Author: Blog Master
Words of Wisdom from Indy’s Black Male Educators
One of the most popular conversations in education is the need for more black male educators. Schools all over the country are looking for ways to increase the number of black male educators in their schools. Research and experts have expressed the need for schools to increase the number of black male educators. In just…
Teacher Appreciation Week: Thank You, Mr. Dobbs
Dear Mr. Dobbs, What began as you being my 7th-grade basketball coach, then a mentor, has now morphed into a friendship. Since 2001, when we met, you have taught me a lot about myself. I was fortunate to have a great father at home who taught me everything I needed to grow up to be…
Teacher Appreciation Week 2018
Monday, May 7 kicks off Teacher Appreciation Week. What are you doing to recognize staff members at your school during Teacher Appreciation Week? During this week, principals, students, and parents have an opportunity to celebrate the hard work teachers do all year long. I’ve learned early on as a school leader that recognizing teachers is…
Three Ways to Survive Teaching in the Spring
Anyone who has experienced multiple springs as a teacher knows what this time of the year means. Spring is the time of the year when chaos starts to brew. With the weather getting warmer, (I know we just had snow a week ago), students are a bit more anxious. Some teachers are interviewing at other…
Athletics Won’t Be Your Ticket Out If Your Grades Are Bad
Today, I read a tweet from Dr. Steve Perry expressing his frustration with the lack of effort he sees from our student-athletes. It is definitely a recurring theme, especially in our African American community. My oldest son, a graduating senior, was a two sport athlete that had to work hard in the classroom. He didn’t…
Some Say My Son Doesn’t Count. They’re Wrong!
By Shawanda Tyson My son, Marell, has attended School 42 for three years now and I was concerned about its transition to an innovation school because of the fear of the unknown. I will never forget the day my son got off the bus, tears streaming down his eyes and screaming that Mrs. Long, his…
National Poetry Month: Finalized Classroom Playlist
Written by Sylvia Denice It may be the last day of April, but it’s going to take more than a slash on the calendar to close National Poetry Month in Room 18. Throughout the month, we have added songs to our classroom playlist, celebrating music and lyrics as poetry. The final additions to our National…
Tracks to Add to Your Classroom Poetry Month Playlist
Written By Sylvia Denice As we embark on our final full week of National Poetry Month, Room 18’s classroom poetry playlist has unavoidably expanded. Through the celebration and study of song lyrics, students’ figurative language skills are obnoxiously strong. The new favorite question to and from students in Room 18 has become, “What do you…
Dubarry Determined
Barack Obama said, “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” When I took over Tindley Summit Academy in October of 2017, I wanted to do more than lead a school. I wanted…