After An Educator's Journey
Out of the classroom & into the universe
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Once upon a time, I taught 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders. Now I’m retired and working on new ventures.
Category: Braindroppings
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Our current Assistant Principal is retiring as is our Superintendent of schools. Selection Committees, Blue Ribbon Panels, all are busy vetting candidates to find the best possible match for our school(s). So even though my own career days are numbered (and no one listens to the “old guy” anyway), I have a few thoughts. One.…
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We were asked that very question during a faculty meeting presentation yesterday. Oh there are layers and layers of accountability in the education world in which we live: administrators, students, parents. Yes, we are all accountable to them. Family members, significant others? Those people too. My answer? I am accountable to me. I am accountable to me…
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We are at that time of the year when high stakes test prep is kicked into gear. I try to keep the required and inevitable test prep low-key and casual, if that’s even possible, because, for goodness sake — the kids are 10! Here in my urban classroom, however, the tension and stress can be seen…
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I was drawn to this article in the New York Times this morning: Why You Hate Work. Now, there is no way I can say I “hate” the work that I do. There is something uniquely satisfying about teaching even the smallest of skills or ideas to a child. Spiritually, teaching is an incredible opportunity…
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Remember when then-candidate Clinton – Bill, not Hillary – had a sign probably written by James Carville that read “It’s The Economy, Stupid”? Well, to paraphrase in this age of educators-can-do-nothing-right, I’d like to say that as anyone who scratches below the surface of education knows, it’s the poverty, stupid. The Alternet recently published an…
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On December 30th, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan posed a question to the Twitter-verse: What if every district committed both to identifying what made their 5 best schools successful & providing those opps to all their students? I’m not sure Mr. Duncan was prepared for the response he received from U.S. educators. But then,…
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So when do you know it is time to quit? I still equivocate about whether this academic year should be my last or not. Right now I’m leaning toward all done. We shall see what those who keep the records say. Sometimes what you think to be true, just is wishful thinking. At one point…
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This article by Catherine Gewertz and Lianna Heitin in Education Week caught my attention: Fourth Graders Struggle With Icons, Directions on Computer-Based Tests. Can we all let out a big DUH? The students surveyed, an admittedly small sampling, all claimed to have access to computers at home. The students knew some very basic functions, but…
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Yesterday, after 360 days together, my students and I said good-bye. From here on, they are off to Middle School and, in all probability, we will not cross paths again. It was, for me, a bittersweet moment. And perhaps it was for some of them as well. We’ve had our share of challenges and our…
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The weather in this corner of the northeast has been a real challenge. Since January 1 we’ve accumulated 4 school snow day cancellations; thank goodness this week was a school vacation week or we’d be adding at least one more snow day to the list. Spending your vacation at home is not very exciting. Yes,…
After An Educator's Journey 