Teachers deal with educational naysayers. Their responses can shape how the public perceives teachers and the public school system. Public education has a situation that exists simple from its arrangement.…
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Use the Textbook
Use the textbook and its accompanying activities? I do too. In the back of classroom closets and grungy basements sits the accompanying material to the teacher textbook. You know what I…
Use A Worksheet? You’re Not a Bad Teacher
Use a worksheet as a teacher? I do. Teachers, they get bombarded with messages, with trends. Education faces waves of best practices, of new ideas, fresh implementations. Without thinking for…
Handling Upset Parents as a Teacher
Handling upset parents as a teacher—because this will happen. So, it happens: a parent is upset with you. Dealing with angry parents as a teacher is often part of the…
Differentiation in the Secondary Classroom
Differentiation in the secondary classroom? It is expected, required. Students benefit from it, and overall, differentiation improves classroom management. Still, differentiation is a juggling act for teachers especially with difficult…
Spring Language Arts Lesson Plans
Spring language arts lesson plans: what I teach in April. Spring break is over, and the countdowns are on for the end of the school year. This can only mean…
Reflection, and More Reflection as a Teacher
Reflection as a teacher: reflect, reflect, reflect. Reflection as a teacher is a bit of a motto—reflect on experiences to better your instruction and connections. John Dewey stated, “We do…
3 Things Teachers Know About Education Standards
Teachers… know things about education standards. Even though the *new* Common Core standards were launched in 2009 (six years ago at this writing), they still stump people. Friends complain about…
ELA Lesson Plans: Seven Tips
All teachers need inspiration for writing the best ELA lesson plans. Sometimes, you might not feel it. Here are some inspirations for when you are stuck on creating lesson plans.…
What Matters Most in Teaching—Why I Teach
Why I teach: the answer always matters. During a teacher’s job interview, the candidate will be asked why she became a teacher. This simple question has a complex answer. The…