Educational Blog

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Pre-Service Training @ TEACH Charlotte This summer has been a blast professionally. I had the privilege of being a Teacher Development Coach to 12 (which then later became 9) adults on their quest to become a teacher in our school district’s neediest schools. I learned so much about leadership and quality teaching. I am forever…

10. Teach me how to “Dougy” … just kidding! 9. Bring a positive attitude and open mind to school each day 8. Ask for help when you need it 7. Take a risk! 6. Embrace the learning experience by trying your best even in the face of failure 5. Teach a peer to understand in…

10. Show your personality and humanness 9. Make eye contact, smile, and give a personal hello 8. Strike up non-educational conversation 7. Encourage a “pot luck” snack option at staff meetings 6. Reward hard work with a JEANS pass to be used any time throughout the year 5. Allow staff dismissal after buses on Friday…

I am currently in the process of writing my very first book for new teachers. It is going pretty well, but I keep adding details that I fear I will never finish! Teaching is something that is evolutionary and there is always something new to learn. I think I will force myself to have a…

This summer I have been working tirelessly as a Teacher Development Coach for TEACH Charlotte. I was assigned 12 career changing adults to manage as they gained Teach Like a Champion skills and techniques to utilize in the summer school classroom in order to become a successful teacher in the Fall. It might sound weird,…