Moving From the Drawbacks
“When a teacher begins a math lesson with direct instruction they completely disregard and ignore their students’ background knowledge and strengths. Resources that promote this approach contradict a focus on equity and access.” So tweeted Drew Polly, an associate professor at University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Wow! That is quite an indictment of direct…
Read MoreWho Can You Control?
Take a look at this diagram below: The circle in the middle is you. The circle around the dot is what you can influence. Everything outside of that circle needs to be taken off your plate. Because it is not yours. This is a simple idea with some important details: What you focus on will…
Read MoreERG Event: Creating Voice and Choice in the Classroom
How does agency affect reading comprehension? Spend a day with Debbie Miller and ERG to learn more! Creating Voice and Choice in the Classroomwith Debbie Miller September 19, 20198:30 – 3:30 This workshop is open to K-5 educators who want to instill a sense of agency, ownership, and independence within children and themselves. If you’re…
Read MoreWhy Not You?
I don’t believe in coincidences. I was thumbing through a bookshelf in a classroom and came across the book I Am Malala. Now, I would like to tell you that I have read it cover to cover and it changed my life, but I have not. I have never read the book, only the headlines…
Read MoreMath Gangs
Math (n): The abstract science of number, quantity, and space, either as abstract concepts (pure), or as applied to other disciplines such as physics and engineering (applied). With all that fancy language, it’s no wonder there is a lot of confusion and anxiety around this subject. As soon as you read that first word, you…
Read MoreI Am Not the Face of History, But I Am a Part of It
One of the worst experiences a student can have is a class where they cannot see themselves in anything. Not in their teacher, their peers, or even their curriculum. Nothing will steer a student away from history faster than realizing that they are on their own. I can remember times when I would dread heading…
Read MoreThe Teacher is the Heart
There is a guy from North Carolina who once said, “You must expect great things of yourself before you can do them.” Besides playing basketball, creating iconic shoes, and being in the movie Space Jam, he basically exemplifies the growth mindset that we want to establish in our classrooms and our schools. Let’s take this quote…
Read MoreVision Check
If you don’t know where you are going, how are you going to get there? I have conversations with new teachers who are frustrated with student behaviors and feel helpless to make any changes. The bad news is that we really cannot control other people. The good news is that we can control our vision.…
Read MoreDown Under
One of the greatest gifts is being able to see people grow. Recently, I have been reflecting and wondering if this is the very heart of what my life’s work should be about. From friendships and families, to the classroom, to motherhood, to the school level and then district level, I feel a pull to…
Read MoreI Have a Dream
I have a dream that one day I will get my basement bathroom renovated. It’s a simple dream. I know I need time and money and a professional who can replace fixtures and build me a cute little closet for some towels. Nothing fancy, but Pinterest does have some really adorable ideas… The issue with…
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