Previously I wrote an article breaking down greatschools.org ratings by showing the scores of several schools within the Winston Salem, NC area. The gist of that article was that high tests scores (and especially greatschools.org ratings) do not mean that a school is high caliber. Although parents continually hang their hat on that hook. Interestingly, … Continue reading Here’s A Cautionary Tale To Every Parent Who Thinks High Test Scores Equal A Great School
I'm going to be 100% honest here, when I have taught all day, and wrangled children, and dealt with hard coworkers, and barely have had time to use the restroom or eat... the last thing I want to do is call up an unknown parent and shoot the breeze. And I definitely don't want talk … Continue reading Awesome Teachers Make Personal Connections With Student Families (GMTT – #3)
Special education... Ah. The best and worst B.S. out there. We love it, we need it, and we hate it. In this article you will never read "public school" special education is B.S... because the special ed. crap certainly is not limited to public schools. And some public schools actually do have their crap together. … Continue reading This Is Why Traditional Special Education Practices Are Bull S*#@
Somewhere in between our 4th or 5th move as a family, I realized that teaching in various states and placements each had its own flavor. While teaching in public school had the widest services available for students, my experience was that services were often slowed or hindered by the bureaucracy of the public school system. … Continue reading The Perfect School Placement For Any Student
Most parents agree that they need to be involved with their child's education. But where's the balance between being a helicopter parent and too "stand-off?" Well, here's 5 ways to be involved and empower children at school.
Recently I came across a homework course from the No Guilt Mom called Homework 911 for Kids. I thought it was definitely worth taking a look at. As a teacher, I know how hard the homework struggle can be. But is this course actually going to change how your family does Homework? Is Homework 911 for Kids worth buying?
Our nation expects teachers to pump out socially and academically competent students each year. Not only do they expect these standards, but they expect teachers to do it with minimal resources and income. Then when teachers fail to meet our expectations, parents and policy makers become angry at the teachers. However, because teachers are not … Continue reading Parents Need To Inspect More and Expect Less From Education
If you have been reading some of my educational research, you may have noticed a short pause in new material. A new addition to our family created a shortage of time! However, after a 6 week maternity break, I am ready to get back in the saddle... the writing and research saddle, that is. Moving … Continue reading Similarities Between Parenting And Teaching: The Reward Is Worth It
A Letter To Social Media Social media, you've done it again. Somehow you have taken a brilliant way to connect and share ideas, and turned it into a guilt-fest. There is a never ending feed of beautiful crafty teachers, who spend hours on the tiniest details, and their own money on beautiful furniture for the … Continue reading Why Teachers Should Not Feel Guilty About An Ugly Classroom