What’s the best way parents can support their child’s reading growth at home? Read every night. That sounds simple enough but anyone who has had the “have you done your homework” conversation knows this can be easier said than done. Here are a few tips for success that can make reading every night a reality in your home. …
Preparing for the state assessment together
State testing is a serious topic, so I thought I’d lighten the atmosphere with a joke. TEACHER (to class): Can someone tell me “How do you spell ‘crocodile?’” STUDENT: K-R-O-K-O-D-I-A-L’ TEACHER: No, that’s wrong STUDENT: But you asked me how I spell it! One day, the student might make a good lawyer. But, in a world with…
My Instructional Coach and Me
One of the best professional development opportunities offered at my school has been the regular and frequent observations and debrief conversations with my instructional coach. I believe these observations and follow up conversations are the single biggest contributor to my development as a teacher. Once a cutting-edge idea, instructional coaches are now common place in many schools across America. The…
Mentoring: Meeting the social and emotional needs of scholars
I grew up in what people in Memphis call “South Memphis”. I was born to a teenage mother and father. If we consider what statistics say about the children born to teenage parents, I was destined to repeat the cycle. Even though my mother was young, she realized she could not do it alone. So, I had a strong support…
The 3 E’s that Changed My Life Forever
Before becoming an educator, once upon a time I was a fourth grade student, who did not necessarily see school as my way ‘out’ or my way to ‘make it’ in this country. *Then my fifth grade math teacher Ms. Blankenship (Ms. B) entered into my life. Little did I know, she would be the person who would change…
But, what can I do at home?
Throughout my years of teaching, I have had the privilege of working with many different populations of students with varying backgrounds and academic levels. I have conducted countless parent meetings about grades, opportunities, and plans for their child’s academic future, and I find that parents and guardians always have the same question. What can I do for my child, at…
Flexible Seating Helps Students Find Focus
One thing I appreciate about my school is that we can make changes for our scholars and teachers when we need to. During my first year at Aurora Collegiate, we had 202 total students enrolled and 50 of those scholars were in second and third grade. Based on my experiences with my own daughter, I knew these two grades would…
Teacher Professional Development: Getting Better at Getting Better
How I left a Teach like a Champion workshop inspired and prepared to take the next steps U.S. schools spend considerable resources on teacher professional development. TNTP’s fascinating report, The Mirage, found that, “districts spend an average of nearly $18,000 per teacher, per year on development efforts.” Yet, in my teaching career, I have attended far too many professional development sessions that…
Practicing gratitude in schools
This blog post is about a new year, but first: an old joke. A grandmother is watching her grandson play on the beach. Suddenly, a huge wave comes and takes him to sea. Panicked, she gets down on her knees and prays. “Please. Save my only grandson. I beg of you. He is the only thing that matters to…
Reading Growth Changes Grade Levels & Lives
Like far too many students across our city, Terrence (not his real name) never fully learned how to read in elementary school. Understanding Terrence’s story is essential to understanding the conversation about school choice, for it is families of kids like Terrence who are increasingly looking for options beyond their neighborhood public school. Here’s Terrence’s Story… Born premature at 32…