Literature that will Change your Life

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Have you ever read the book Junebug by Alice Mead? Oh my goodness. I might have been more excited to start reading it than my own students! Tell me this wouldn’t have you hook, line, and sinker?: “Reeve McClain, Jr.—Junebug—has decided to skip his birthday. Since ten is the age when boys in the projects…

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Enriching Learning

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Have you heard of ASCD? [“ASCD is a membership organization that develops programs, products, and services essential to the way educators learn, teach, and lead.”] I receive their magazine “Educational Leadership” monthly. At the end of the magazine, there is a section called, “Tell Me About A Time…” where readers (just like us!) can write…

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Rubric vs Checklist

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I have evolved in the way I grade papers over the last seven years of my career. In my first year of teaching, I took every paper home. I’d look through it, make editing marks, and even record it. I quickly learned this is a way to get burned out so instead I would just…

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New Year's Resolution Linky!

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Thank you to Jen over at The Teacher’s Cauldron and Amanda from Teaching Maddeness for these fun linky parties! Personal: Allow myself balance. I love what I do so it is easy to get caught up in hours of “teachery” stuff. I want to walk my dog daily so that gives me a good hour…

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2012- year in review!

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WordPress.com presents 2012 in blogging Annual Report Happy New Year from WordPress.com!   Crunchy numbers 600 people reached the top of Mt. Everest in 2012. This blog got about 7,600 views in 2012. If every person who reached the top of Mt. Everest viewed this blog, it would have taken 13 years to get that…

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Caught Being Good!

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My school recently implemented a school-wide initiative in which all staff members are able to reward classes that follow school rules. We call this “Pawsitive Paws.”  This is to encourage knowledge and application of school rules. (1. I am SAFE. 2. I Am Respectful. 3. I Am a Learner.) Each staff member is stocked up…

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God Bless our newest angels

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As I am home in Connecticut for the holidays, I am overwhelmed with the support and love for those who lost their lives at Sandy Hook Elementary this month. In visiting Newtown, CT it is evident that no one forgets what happened in their small, quaint town. Below are pictures I was able to take during my…

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I Teach…

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In the spirit of the Holidays, I am reminded of an important gift I give and receive daily. Thank you to Stephanie over at Teaching in Room 6 for this awesome blog post idea. She is right. With all that is going on in teaching lately (mostly negative), it is very easy to lose sight…

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My Leaders

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My, oh my… what is happening in my teacher world? Lots of CHANGE! You know, change can be good (most times, hehe). I have worked for two wonderful schools under 2 principals and 2 assistant principals at each school… making a grand total of 4 Principals and 4 Assistant Principals. Why does this happen? I…

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Teach Charlotte

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I recently had the opportunity to work for a nationwide initiative called the Teaching New Teachers Project [TNTP]. TNTP has locations across the United States that help career changing adults successfully become classroom teachers in the neediest classrooms. Their locations have the title TEACH, followed by the city name. For example, I had the pleasure…

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