After spring break is the mad countdown to summer break. Summer is getting closer every single day. My twin sons have less than one month left of second grade. As much as they are ready for some relaxation this summer, I know I must keep their minds engaged too. Some parents scoff at the suggestion…
We know there is a teacher shortage, but it is helpful to know which subjects are hit the hardest. The 2017-18 Teacher Shortage Areas Nationwide Listing report from the U.S. Department of Education brings attention to those areas in an attempt to address these shortages. In the publication, there are three intended outcomes: Notify the…
When I first started writing education articles in January 2017, I sort of played it safe. I would take a stance here or there, but I didn’t want to ruffle too many feathers. I was concerned about what other educators would think, the educators who could determine whether or not I would get hired. I…
“I get no respect.” Rodney Dangerfield This is my 13th year as an educator. I made it past the ominous five-year mark where a lot of teachers bite the dust. I crossed the decade line with only a few bumps and bruises. This school year, I met a new challenge, one I did not see…
After being an instructional coach for three school years, I make no assumptions about what is happening in classrooms in a school. When you are an instructional coach, the principal gives you the rundown on who is a great teacher and who is not. Instructional coaches tend to get inside of classrooms more than principals….
Spring break is the last long break before the school year ends. For teachers, it is a time to recharge, but it is also a time to think and reflect upon the school year to determine if their current school is a place they want to return to next school year. Principals slip forms in…
Last school year, IPS closed three high school campuses and went from seven high schools to four. This was under the reinvent IPS high schools movement. Under this district restructure, IPS moved to an all choice model. This model allowed students to choose the high school they wanted to attend based on future career interests….
Last week, a Chalkbeat Indiana article caused much debate in education circles but especially in education circles of color. Educator responses ranged from asserting that teachers do not need to pass a test to educators feeling offended that the article seemed to suggest educators of color could not pass a standardized test. Check out the…
This school year is my 13th as an educator but my first school year as a library/media specialist. It has been a whirlwind but a whirlwind full of fun. I quickly learned that a school library is an important part of the school. This is why we need to draw attention to libraries in our…
In some mythical utopian school, students would be angels. They would come to school ready to learn. They would work hard, follow rules, and get along with other students, but we know conflict and bad behavior is part of growing up. Students have to learn how to behave and interact with others. Knowing student misbehavior…