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.
Tag: Teaching Life
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If you have been reading the postings of the Massachusetts DESE, you may have noticed their new campaign for “Amazing Teachers”. This appears to be a recruitment program to entice teachers to work in the Tier 4 Schools — those who are being carefully scrutinized because test scores haven’t moved out of the sub-basement. So,…
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Teaching third grade is just about as good as it gets in my humble opinion. Over the span of my teaching career I’ve taught every level from pre-school through 12th grade. There are inherent challenges at each level – and rewards as well. Last Friday, my students begged and begged and we finally convinced my…
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I’ve just started reading a professional book by the Sisters (Gail Boushey and Joan Moser) called The Cafe Book. The Sisters wrote The Daily Five which I’ve been partially using in my own classroom during Reading Workshop to help manage what the “other kids” are doing while I’m conferencing or working with a group. When…
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Monday was our first day back from Winter Break — I suspect this is only a New England school vacation as I never experienced it growing up in northern Ohio. A week-long escape is a welcome respite from the stresses of teaching – and yes, I am aware that I chose this profession – but…
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School vacation week in Massachusetts started for me as of 2:50 yesterday afternoon. I know there are some in the private sector who will read that statement and disparage me. But here is why I not only need this vacation, I deserve it. 1. I am not paid for the days off. Contrary to popular…
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Yesterday, we reached the 100th day of school — triple digits. From this point on the year will whiz by at the speed of light… 80 school days from now we will be all done. For kids, that seems like an eternity, but for me Day 100 is the point at which panic sets in.…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
After An Educator's Journey 