I’ve been chatting a bit with my summer school partner-in-crime about next career steps. She is ready to go and has been rather open about this. I’m of the generation that plays ’em close to the chest but she’s been pretty transparent about her plans. …
Read MoreAnyone out there that actually wants to be a teacher?
I’m currently at the midway point of summer school. To be honest, I wasn’t crazy about the idea but I couldn’t pass up the money. I’m at a different school than my home base and as it turns out, the kids are a lot better …
Read MoreMaybe not so fierce after all
Today was the last day of school for us as we start in mid-August. Yesterday, we held the graduation ceremony for our 5th graders. To be honest, I had mixed feelings about the whole thing. For one thing, I noticed that, just like last year, …
Read MoreI (dis)love you
In the state where I work we are approaching the end of the school year as we start in the beginning of August. Our 5th graders are heading off to middle school. Many of us staff members will breathe a sigh of relief as this …
Read More“The best reading comprehension strategy is to be able to read the words on the page.”
I read this quote in an Instagram post whose author I cannot recall so I can’t give the appropriate credit. The quote came to me today while working in a classroom where the kids were getting ready for next week’s state exams by working on …
Read MoreLove don’t pay my bills
We got our first paychecks that reflect the raise that our union fought for on our behalf. Before taxes, my “raise” comes out to around $68.20. Once Uncle Sam takes his cut, there’s enough left for a couple of pizzas or maybe a tank full …
Read MoreWe’re all instructional designers!
It seems that every other teacher who is leaving the profession is becoming an industrial designer. It’s as if all of these departing educators have been suppressing their graphic designer ambitions all this time. Is it possible that there are so many people out there …
Read MoreSisyphus of the Classroom
As a special ed teacher, part of my job is to “push into” classrooms and assist my kids as they do their class work. The law is specific about the distinction between “pushing in” vs “pulling out”. The latter refers to taking kids out of …
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