After An Educator's Journey
Out of the classroom & into the universe
recent posts
about
Once upon a time, I taught 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders. Now I’m retired and working on new ventures.
Category: Braindroppings
-
Massachusetts will have a special election on Tuesday in order to fill the remaining term of Senator Kennedy. The two contenders, Martha Coakley and Scott Brown are attracting state-wide attention and even the national media has an eye on this thing. An election on a January Tuesday in the middle of — and I write…
-
Each year I’ve required students to write at least weekly about something they have been reading. At first the students’ letters go something like this: Dear Mrs. Bisson, I read Arthur’s Teacher Trouble. It was really funny. Your friend, No matter how pushed I am for time I generally manage to write back and so…
-
and the poor keep getting poorer. Today’s rant comes courtesy of Scholastic, that megaconglomerate of student book publishing. Having just submitted a book order for my class (a rarity), I am struck by the advantages of working in a more middle-class socio economic school district. Yes, it is true no one is holding a gun…
-
One of the nicest advantages of teaching is the possibility of multiple “fresh starts” throughout the year. There’s the obvious one — in the Fall, another after one report card period closes and another opens, and tomorrow’s: the first day of a new calendar year. Each start brings excitement and butterflies. Obviously the unknown of…
-
Recently the Boston Globe ran an editorial in support of gift limits for teachers. I can’t relate. First of all, working in a high poverty, urban school district, I don’t have the experience of parents buying outlandish gifts at the holidays for junior’s teacher. Sorry. It’s all my families can do to put food on…
-
This afternoon’s email brought a solicitation from the AFT: Why do you teach and what do you and your colleagues need to do the best job for your students? It is the why of something I have been so passionate about for more than 22 years that is difficult to put into words. Why do…
-
This past week, the local paper featured several “news” articles about the school where I formerly taught. The principal at the school was given notice recently that his contract would not be renewed due to MCAS, our state educational yardstick. There is no equivocating that the Superintendent of schools has a right to do this:…
-
This month marks Adrien’s and my 32nd anniversary. We met in college when he asked if I would be his piano accompanist for a student trumpet recital… I would not. “Juniors do not play for freshman” — I hear about that with reliable frequency every time my ego gets in front of common sense. I…
-
1. My husband- who has stuck by me no matter what whackiness I’ve gotten him into. I’m remembering the unfortunate dining room wallpapering in our first house. … right out of the Three Stooges. 2. My son who has always made me proud and who keeps me from taking myself too seriously. 3. My parents…
-
I was in a good mood when I arrived yesterday. Really I was. Here’s just one of the problems: A 35-question District Math Benchmark. The test, a 60-minute multiple choice-MCAS style-complete with bubble sheets (! for THIRD GRADERS!!!!)-mind blower was supposed to have arrived on November 9. It didn’t. In fact, it arrived last Friday…
After An Educator's Journey 