Stop Celebrating Teacher Self Sacrifice
“My son’s teacher woke up early to attend his 8am baseball game & cheer him on the sidelines! She makes sure to attend one extracurricular activity for EVERY one of her students. Her love and support is so special.” “Mr. Tom is such a great teacher. He wakes up early every morning to get to…
First Believe, Then Achieve
“Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.” – Henry Ford I believe Henry Ford’s quote to be particularly true in the realm of education. When teachers and students believe they can learn, they will. But the same is true for the opposite. John Hattie, a professor and researcher in education…
Having Fierce Conversations with Kids Matters
While the term “fierce” may seem a little harsh, it got your attention. I’ve served as a teacher and literacy coach for years — and in those years, I’ve always had engaging and honest conversations with my students. Teachers do that. They care. They talk to their kids. I believe educators should set out to…
When My School Votes…
In the last midterm election, young people voted at record rates, and that is something we should all celebrate. However, even with this historic turnout, two-thirds of young people were missing from the polls. As we work to close opportunity gaps for the most underserved students in our nation, we must also work to close…
Missing the Mark: An Unexpected Journey
Blog, they say. Not a problem because I love writing. Write about not certifying the first time…my pen stops, my heart quickens not because I do not have anything to say but because there are so many emotions and so many things to say. Scores will be released soon; perhaps they already have been by…
Teachers Aren’t Soldiers
I am a National Board Certified Teacher and a ten-year veteran of the United States Army. Two things I know well are education and weapons. Let’s not mix them. There are companies that offer concealed carry permit classes to teachers. Politicians across the country have expressed that armed teachers are a good way to stop…
Addressing Teacher Shortages and Teacher Diversity
With teacher shortage and teacher diversity challenges impacting schools across the nation, National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) are leading the field in efforts to ensure that all students have access to accomplished and diverse teachers. Launched in 2018 with generous funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the Leading, Empowering, and Advocating for the Profession (LEAP) project…
