Maker Ed Saves the Arts!
Maker Ed will save is saving the Arts! Even before the verb “make” was trendy (and I’m thankful it is) I was a fan of making things. Commonly, the … Continue reading
Beyond the Classroom: The Gift of Hindsight
Identity is a fascinating concept. It shifts, alters, appears, disappears, much like the moon or sun or seasons. Writing forces you to stare in the mirror at yourself, causing you … Continue reading
It’s Ok to Cry at NCTE.
I only cried 7 times yesterday. And I should clarify – these were not breakdowns of sobs, but rather emotion over lowing my soul to the point where it could try … Continue reading
Blog Revival – Making the Time to WRITE
I’ve learned that when I avoid something – there is a true underlying factor and simple avoidance is not the issue. Often times it means I haven’t completely created my … Continue reading
The Factor of Time in Schools
I’ve been in a lot of schools lately. While my role may change from observer to advisor, consultant to instructor, one thing remains the same: The factor of time. See, … Continue reading
Being a First Year Teacher…Again.
As I clicked submit in the university system’s grading portal, after reviewing this list multiple times to check for errors, my first thought was: Grades are weird. My second thought … Continue reading
Huge EdTech Takeaways from NH Google Summit
A great 2 days of learning in Bedford, New Hampshire this week: See the lineup here! Here are my greatest takeaways and perhaps a few annotated thoughts along the way. … Continue reading
People resign, but soul striking moments do not.
Let’s be clear. Classroom teaching exists in its own dimension. The quantity of information processing and emotion managing that occurs within a classroom teacher’s mind, heart and soul throughout the day … Continue reading
Spread Some January Sunshine
Thank you, Tomasen Carey, mentor, friend, and fellow blogger, for nominating my blog for the Sunshine Award (even though my baby has made it tricky to write consistently over the last … Continue reading
Happy Birthday, Soul Strikers OR A Timeline: Look How Far I’ve Come
Soul Strikers turned 2 a few weeks ago. Had I not been in the whirlpool of returning to the classroom after dropping my baby and a chunk of my heart … Continue reading
Content & Skills Before Tools: Build Tool Fluency!
Every time I read an article that really strikes home with me regarding Web 2.0 tools, it tends to mention something along this theme: Content and skills NEED to come … Continue reading
Achieving the UDL: Arts, Technology & Geometry
From Kindergarten through Grade 6, a Common Core focus is for students to master 2-Dimensional shapes. During grades 1-3, this is supported by students honing in on reasoning with shapes … Continue reading
The Universal Design for Learning…Has a nice ring, doesn’t it?
*cover image by Giulia Forsythe- click here to visit her Visual Practice art notes Education is guilty of tossing handfuls of buzz words and acronyms like candy off a fire truck during … Continue reading
The De-Isolation of Teachers (Part 3): Making the Day COUNT
We’ve all been there. It’s a few days before a school-wide professional day, and the casual discussion begins. “Do we even know what we are doing that afternoon?” “Well, I … Continue reading
How Technology Made My Maternity Leave Seamless
Nothing causes you to reflect on your teaching practice more than preparing for a leave of absence. As teachers, we know that it is nearly impossible to truly explain to … Continue reading
The Common Core: It’s not the WHAT…..it is the HOW.
*cover strawberry core image by: millionaire via deviantart, licensed by Creative Commons My desire to independently explore the meaning of the Common Core State Standard Initiative has led me through … Continue reading
The De-Isolation of Teachers (Part 2): Within School Walls
For many professional educators, our day probably starts lying in bed, mind wandering to the number of tasks, to-do list items, and needs for the school day that we have … Continue reading
The De-Isolation of Teachers: Crowd-sourcing Passion (part one)
In great schools, an intention will exist to value and create time for teachers to collaborate. In the very best, it actually happens- doesn’t just become a dream that disappears … Continue reading
International Dot Day!
Monday was my first experience Skyping my class around the world! This past summer at Building Learning Communities, word spread fast of an idea that students around the world could … Continue reading
Modeling Leads to Management: 4 Resources Every New (or old!) Teacher Needs
A few years back, someone asked me what I thought was the most important piece of knowledge teachers gain with experience. Without hesitation I responded, “Modeling.” And though experienced teachers … Continue reading
Day 2 in Review at #BLC12: Innovation is Questioning in Action
The energy was flowing at Building Learning Communities today, after igniting our fires yesterday with inspiring sessions and speakers. The theme of the day from my perspective? Ask questions. Ask … Continue reading
#BLC12- Favorites from Day One: Choice and Assessment!
Or should I say “favourites”? The first enjoyable element to notice in November Learning’s Building Learning Communities event is the global sound of accents. Why shouldn’t it be? A community … Continue reading
Beach Musings: Mentor Texts
“What have you read that is like what you are trying to write?” -Katie Wood Ray, Study Driven, 2006 Examples either create, reinforce, or deepen our schema. Without them as … Continue reading
7 Things Teachers Do During Their Time ON
I spend too much time thinking in blog post and not actually blogging the thought. I do this because I suffer from a disease called: “Everyone is already thinking what … Continue reading
Hands on Algebra? Why yes, thank you!
While school has been out for not even a week, our SAU boldly planned a “Summer Institute” day where mini-workshops would be offered by our own talents. The theory was … Continue reading
soul strikers 