In the Very Beginning
As early as I can remember, I was a teacher. When I was young, I even asked for a chalkboard for Christmas so I could teach my imaginary students. However, my family struggled with money and nonessentials were not on our list-not even for Christmas. However, my passion for teaching would continue. I continued to…
The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Announces New Board Members
ARLINGTON, Va. – November 19, 2020 – The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS), announced today the election of five prominent educators to its Board of Directors, including accomplished educators from Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Nevada and New York. “I couldn’t be more excited to welcome our newly elected Board members. They bring a wide…
Shake it Off and Step Up
There is a story about a farmer’s donkey who falls down a well. The farmer tries to get the donkey out, but decides that the animal is too old to bother saving, and the well needs to be covered up anyway. He and his neighbors start shoveling dirt into the well. At first, the donkey…
Mary Hatwood Futrell to Receive Prestigious James A. Kelly Award
ARLINGTON, Va. — November 6, 2020 — Dr. Mary Hatwood Futrell, former NEA President and former dean of the George Washington University Graduate School of Education and Human Development, will receive the National Board’s James A. Kelly Award for Advancing Accomplished Teaching on November 6, 2020. The Kelly Award, named after James A. Kelly, Founding…
What Does National Board Certification Mean To Me
To strengthen as well as improve the teaching profession, educators must become a spokesman for the profession. By highlighting the vast positive and personal rewards of becoming an NBCT educator, spokesmen are able to strengthen the profession by showcasing the success/advances of students who are taught and/or mentored by passionate NBCT educators. In all my…
Differentiate Better: The time is now
Differentiation. For some, this single word describes their entire teaching practice. This same word, though, causes heart palpitations in many others. Our job description gets longer with no sign of reprieve (or appropriate pay, but hey, that’s for a different blog). Differentiating feels like the icing on the top of the unattainable cake. In this…
You Matter, Don’t Forget to Breathe
I’m staring out at my classroom. The tables are all facing one way, front and center. Tape designates each chair’s placement. I hesitated to put up decorations in my new classroom because I’m not sure what decorations are even allowed right now. Everything simply feels eerily – cold. Let me be clear. I did not…