New Teacher Coaches
Our educational system is ever-changing. We have many “new” ideas that turn out to be old ideas with a new name. If you stay in the profession long enough you will go through the cycle once or twice and think “is this Déjà vu?” What is quite sad is that I have been teaching…
Read Full PostSecret Spots for Learning
Students love to sit around the room to work independently. They often fight over who gets to sit where and run at light speed to the latest “hot spot.” With safety being at stake (and my sanity as well), I decided to allow students to remain in a secret spot for a length of time.…
Read Full PostHarlem Globetrotters' ABC's of Bullying
Oh my gosh! The best assembly EVER came to my school the other day. My teammate Brooke (as you have heard me say multiple times, my former student teacher) had an idea to bring her soon-to-be- family member to school to teach about bullying, since it has been quite the hot topic around campus lately.…
Read Full PostStudents Say the Darndest Things- Volume 2
[See original post here] One of the greatest things about being a teacher is that I get to witness students being hilarious on a daily basis. It usually comes at the most inopportune or unexpected time, which of course makes it all the more funny! They make each day worth it! Below is my latest…
Read Full PostTeaching Statement
I recently had to create a “teaching statement.” I was not quite sure what this was really and assumed it was the new lingo for “philosophy of education.” Although similar in part, there are some distinct differences (a philosophy is more big picture where a teaching statement is defined by specific examples). Thank goodness for…
Read Full PostStudent-Led Writing Conferences
I believe students should become as independent as possible. I would not be doing my job if I never encouraged them to take risks, step out of their comfort zone, or push them to problem solve before asking for help. During our Writing Workshop, I conference with students about their writing. This is heavily guided…
Read Full Post30 Years Go By…
October 8th was my birthday! It was not just an ordinary birthday… I jumped into a new decade of life! Hello *30*!!! When I arrived at school, a teammate surprised me with this “Happy Birthday” sign to hang from my classroom door: They then surprised me with lunch!! Yum, a delicious surprise! My teammate Brooke…
Read Full PostBook Buzz
Here in the Literacy Center, students are surrounded by ideas of great books to read before they even shop! I have realized that over the years, students are more influenced by their peers than by me. So, why not use that to my advantage?! Students can fill these out on any book that makes them…
Read Full Post2013-2014 Classroom Photos
WELCOME TO MY WORLD! 🙂 Meet My Team: BEFORE AFTER My Team Hard at Work Prepping the Bulletin Boards! Welcoming My New Class! Getting Ready to Show Off Their Hard Work! My Former Student Teacher (who now is on my team) Made Me This!! <3 Her (sorry so blurry) Our Motto We earn Paws for…
Read Full PostGetting on my Soapbox: Quality Teachers Needed
I have run out of patience with poor teaching. I can no longer sit back and allow it to happen. Over the years, I have turned my cheek and thought “those poor kids.” I’m ashamed I continue to pour love and quality instruction into my students while allowing the opposite to happen in classrooms around…
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