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Over the years I have observed that the Monday morning transition from home to school can be difficult for some children. Heck, it is difficult for me, too! I find I need a few minutes to myself after the children have come in to clear my head and make space for being back at school.… Read more

I reflect on my teaching practices in order to make new commitments to improve these so that they are better aligned with my belief system and not someone else’s. Alternatively, I recommit to continuing or extending a routine or habit that has worked well or that I know is beneficial to learning. This recommitment issue… Read more

If one thing is constant for me as a teacher it is this: nothing is ever the same from year to year. I often spend my summers reflecting on the previous year and on the lessons I learned with my students. It is on this basis that I make changes or adjustments in September. Often,… Read more

Press Release: Out of the Box Doll Project (July 27th, before the SOS March and Rally in Washington, DC). Read more

Read why one teacher is marching to Washington, DC at the end of this month. Walking to School: Why I'm Marching….: “I was born and raised in Washington, DC. In the summer the humidity settles down and the sky turns a sick, pale shade of yellow.  The swam…” Read more

I love reading professional books. I especially love reading professional books that nudge and challenge those teaching ideas that become solidified (and misapplied) over time due to misunderstanding and misguided mandates. When teachers “do” whole language or “do” mentor texts, as Fletcher mentions in this podcast, a red flag should go up: “doing” is scripted… Read more

On the last day of school, I asked my students to contribute a line for a class piece on the important things about grade 2. We modelled this piece on The Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown http://amzn.to/qohItz Although I might have highlighted different important things, I took heart at the fact that several lines… Read more

Frustrated Educators Aim to Build Grassroots MovementRead this article and get energized about taking action to reclaim public education. Read more

Recently, I hosted a real time email conversation with the families of my students; only one parent participated. A second parent responded later on to say that she hadn’t been able to be present at the discussion and didn’t really have anything to contribute at the moment. A third parent had emailed me earlier saying… Read more

Take a look at this blog post by Anthony Cody about a video in honor of teachers. A bit late for Teacher Appreciation Week in the US and Education Week here in Canada but worthy of viewing and keeping in mind, nevertheless. Here's to the Teachers! Read more