I’m Done
Are you able to recall an incident which greatly disappointed you, but, logically, it really should not have greatly disappointed you? My eighth grade Onesies greatly disappointed me recently, and, the situation is one that I really should not have taken so personally. The Situation: Approximately 50% of the class (there are 13 enrolled in [...]
I’m Partial To Gray
The other day, one of the sixth graders during after school study hall – I proctor the sixth and seventh grade study hall on Thursday afternoons, from 3-4:30pm – was admiring my Kate Spade iPhone case. It is designed with multicolored vertical stripes on a bright blue background. I really like it, and have received [...]
Renewal
Anyone employed in a helping profession – and, I consider teaching as much a helping profession as nursing or social work or medicine – I am learning to appreciate the value and importance of renewal. Especially during vacations. Christmas vacation began for me the minute I rolled The Toaster, a.k.a. my 2008 Honda Element, off [...]
Get ‘Er Done
As part of my campaign to raise the level of expectation in my seventh graders – both academically and behaviorally, I’ve instituted the following. Strategies are courtesy of Teach Like A Champion. 1. Procedures for Entering the Classroom* a. Go directly to seats. b. Set everything out that is needed for class. c. Place homework [...]
Where One Hopes for The Best, and Often Gets the Worst
Well, perhaps the second part of my post’s title is saturated in a bit of hyperbole. But, I’m going somewhere with this. So, please bear with me. Things in my corner of the world are going pretty well. As I tweeted yesterday morning to a FL colleague who teaches at an independent school in Charleston, [...]
The Bane of My Existence
As a teacher, two things I detest the most are marking student work, and, computing end-of-trimester grades. Along with lost keys and mislaid eyeglasses, they are the bane of my existence. As much as I strive to be fair and balanced in my approach to assessment and evaluation, I feel that I always somehow fall [...]
The Culture of Expectation
I was talking with a friend recently – my asthetistician, to be exact, but I also consider her a friend – while getting my monthly professional facial treatment. We talked about the recent days-long power outage, our parents – hers about the same age as mine- and life in general. We then somehow got on [...]
They Know That You Know That You Know…
My Dear Mom often says the above to me, in relation to my work and my workplace. I guess I am the quintessential educator: I strive to teach student and adult alike, in some manner or form, in an attempt to make them better, i.e. smarter. However, my Dear Mom knows, and I know, that [...]
Working to Stay Off The Grid…
a.k.a. the school email server. Many people over the years have told me that I am a good writer. It’s a skill that I have strived to perfect since my senior year in high school. In fact, I find that I convey many of my best ideas and thoughts through writing. However, my writing skill [...]
Delegating Up
“Delegating up” is my new mantra for the current school year. I am learning to recognize my limitations on the job, which isn’t an easy thing for a perfectionist. Doing things, “right and in order” (a phrase courtesy of the head deacon at my church) is very important to me, not only for myself, but [...]
