The only thing I LOVE more than teaching students is teaching teachers, specifically new teachers. That “aha” moment when students finally get a concept are what teachers live for and it turns out, I live for that same moment when a new teacher finally gets an instructional concept. I confess I never really knew that…

I recently posted about our TEACH Charlotte opening ceremony for our teacher development program this summer. It was a powerful experience, especially when a new teacher shared her “aha’s” from her first year teaching with these new teachers. [See that post here.] Prior to this new teacher inspiring future teachers, Dr. Timisha Barnes-Jones from West Charlotte…

We recently began our summer teacher training program at TEACH Charlotte through The New Teacher Project. At opening ceremony, we had a previous participant share insight for new participants on what going through the program is like as well as that first year of teaching in the classroom. Special thanks to Antina Johnson, a 2014…

I recently blogged about two great moments from our TEACH Charlotte opening ceremony. First, a new teacher shared her advice to incoming new teachers [see post here]. Second, a veteran leader in our district shared how we need to approach teaching by focusing on strengthening our BICEPS, an acronym outlining steps we can take to…

As a new teacher, one word I used to always use was “overwhelmed.” There was always so much to do and so little time. I never felt like I could keep my head above water until the end of the year arrived. My training and instruction manager always says that being overwhelmed “is like you…

I have a weakness- I love TED Talks! I could listen to a TED talk on any topic. The presenters are engaging, knowledgeable and passionate. I can’t take my eyes off of them the entire talk. It motivates me to think on a deeper level about what they are sharing. I want to dive into…

As you all know, I love to read. I often blog about what inspires me about something in particular that I read. I love sharing these “aha” moments with you readers because I think it could make such a positive change in your life and work in education. You also know I am transitioning into…

Recently, I have been doing a lot of reflection on where I want to take my career next. In order to do this I had to assess what value I can offer to others. It can be hard to think about yourself objectively. Someone suggested for me to reach out to family and close friends to…

High expectations is a phrase used often in education. Districts, schools and teachers are required to have such expectations and try hard to outline what those expectations are and what they look like in action. I started thinking about my own work in the classroom for the past decade. I had high expectations of my students…

One day, I was getting things done around the house and listening to my Michael Jackson Pandora station on my iPhone. One of MJ’s famous songs came on called “Man in the Mirror.” In that moment, the chorus just hit me with its powerful message: “I’m starting with the man in the mirror I’m asking…