0 What's Your Number? Standardized Test Scores

What's your number?No, not the number of children that smile in your class each day.No, not the number of children you reach with multiple strategies.No,...

0 Voice

As you know, I have a lot to say, and in many places my voice is not met with welcome, regard, or respect.I've been thinking a lot about this, and wondering...

0 Team Leader

We all know the team leader.He or she is the one that pulls the team together with transparent communication that inspires, encourages, challenges, and...

0 Educator: Craftsperson

As an educator, I like to think of myself as a craftsperson, one who is continually honing her craft to teach children well. I looked up the definition...

0 Thoughts About Math RTI

As I think about the math program, I find it manageable to meet the needs of most students in the class.  The students that I find most difficult...

0 Try THIS, Not THAT: Quick Takes on the News

I'm on sabbatical this year, and clearly have little time left for blogging. (yes really, sabbatical stands for super-busy). So here's a new way to convey...

0 School Teams Instead of Classrooms: Elementary Student Advisories

I think the time is here to create school teams rather than classrooms.Similar to advisory groups, the school team would consist of one professional educator...

0 Should Children Have Homework?: The Homework Buffet

My students are writing persuasive essays about this topic, and you might or might not imagine that their opinions include both yes and no. Today they'll...

0 Collaborative Learning Design: Persuasive Essay

Our English Language Arts Director is leading a collaborative learning design effort related to writing persuasive text. She began this effort last year by facilitating scope and sequence planning sessions....

0 Idea Dilemma: How Do You Share?

I believe in transparent idea share if it means that children and educators will benefit.Yet, I'm getting tired of sharing ideas that are used too often...

0 Arne Duncan Moderates #edtechchat

I wonder what Arne Duncan, The United States Secretary of Education, thought of tonight's #edtechchat. It was a well attended chat with educators from...

0 Let Vision's Light Lead You

Have confidence in your vision.Treat your vision with care and trust, and share your vision with happiness.Don't expect others to understand without explanation,...

0 Amazing Inspiration: Thanks Daniel Kerr

I woke up to find this video on Connected Principals, and I'm so happy that I took the 16+ minutes to watch it.  Kerr's message is powerful and life...

0 Mission and Vision

When you love to write and dream, you have to stop now and then to make sure you're following what you truly believe in--your mission and vision.  Hence,...

0 Limited Technology

Currently I'm working in a climate that limits tech use.In order to use a new tech tool I have to go through a lengthy tech approval process which includes...

0 A Beautiful Day: A Renewed Resolve

Today is a beautiful day where I live. The sun is bright, the colorful leaves are scattered everywhere, and the air is crisp.  I had a great night's...

0 Starr Sackstein and #satchat Inspiration

LinkStarr Sackstein led a wonderful #satchat discussion this morning related to her new book, Teaching Mythology Exposed, Helping teachers create visionary classroom perspective.  Still smarting...

0 Transparency and Share: Building Better Schools

I am so indebted to my PLN who is always sharing--sharing ideas, curriculum work, debate, and discussion that helps to forward the work we are capable...

0 Friday Thoughts 10-25

I returned to class after the two-day MassCUE conference only to realize that it was time for a class clean-up and refocus. Hence, we sorted the books,...

0 Day Two: MassCUE 2013

I arrived at Gillette Stadium and enjoyed a cup of coffee, bright sunshine, and time to write before day two of MassCUE started. Chris Lehmann soon took...

0 Inclusivity in Schools

How might schools move towards greater inclusivity?For many years now, I've been crying out for school idea management systems so good ideas from all...

0 A Senseless Murder: A Caring Teacher Gone

We all ache for Colleen Ritzer's family, friends, neighbors, students, and colleagues.  We are all asking why did this have to happen--a senseless,...

0 Include Educators in School Decisions

Yesterday at MassCUE, Tony Wagner emphasized that all stakeholders should be included in school decisions. Teachers are stakeholders at schools. We care...

0 Where Does Your Passion Lie?

As you think of your professional career as an educator, where does your passion lie?  What is it about teaching and learning that really motivates...

0 MassCUE Conference Day One 2013

Nancy Carroll referred to the beloved Jetsons as an early'foreshadowing of today's videoconferencing. Today was the first day of MassCUE's annual two-day conference at Gillette Stadium. It was a...

0 Student Google Doc Writing Thread

Like many teachers, I've been trying to find an efficient, inclusive way to respond to student writing. This year, I'm trying the use of a Google doc writing thread, and I'm liking it.Essentially, I create...

0 Two Roads Diverge and I'll Take Both?

My paths divided in two. I'm taking both, and it's time to reset my vision.  One for the organization I work for, and one for my own life of learning...

0 Sharing the Why

Most mornings before I get to school I think about the "why's" I'll share with students prior to each learning experience.  I know if students understand...

0 Persuade Me!

My students are working thoughtfully to learn persuasive writing techniques. We started this endeavor about a month ago with baseline essays.  Then we taught the children self regulation mnemonics...

0 Low Tech

The last few years of my teaching career have been marked by an enthusiastic move towards greater tech with teaching.  I like tech for many reasons...

0 Sticking Points

Yesterday on a venture outside of my typical environment, there were many sticking points.I met a law professor who was passionate about his work, study,...

0 Academic Freedom

What is the role of academic freedom in public schools?To me, academic freedom means that educators have the choice to respond to students with tools,...

0 Expect the Best: Moving Beyond Subjugation

Often those who have lived in subjugated experiences, grow to expect the worst.Students who have grown up with subjugation may present as angry, frustrated,...

0 What Are Your Expectations?

Often at the route of conflict is unshared expectations.You expect one thing, and the associate expects another; yet the two of you never share those...

0 Focus on the Good

As I looked over the many Twitter threads yesterday, I was reminded of all the good that is happening in education. As a critical thinker, I have to...

0 How Does Your Communication Grow?

Communication is an essential topic for individuals at all levels of an organization. What is the best way to communicate today when information is available...

0 Share is Efficient

When people share, efficiency prevails. When people don't share, confusion occurs. That's why transparency is so effective in organizations--it saves...

0 MassCUE Conference Presentation: Tech Connect: The 24-7 Classroom

I'm delighted that I have the chance to attend MassCUE's 2013 Digital Learning, Global Connections Conference this week. The conference which takes place at the expansive, bright, and energized Gillette...