Self-Reflection
Context Matters
From the desk of Alice… Somewhere along the way I read about research that showed people can dramatically change their actions based on context. I think the particular study I was reading about had to do with prisons and I came across another one that looked at the influence your highschool friends have on your…
Read MoreNo Doodling!
From the desk of Gina… When my daughter, Madison, was beginning the 5th grade she was doing the usual grind of work sheets, testing and homework. One day a spelling test came home for my review and she had “doodled” on it. As I reviewed the paper I see the teacher assistant had written at…
Read MoreACCEPTING CHANGES IN EDUCATION
From the desk of Carol C… This past summer was filled with what most educators saw as a lack of respect for our profession and the job we’re entrusted with. Legislators approved huge changes to public education. The changes are disheartening. To make our voices heard we had Moral Monday, editorials were written, and…
Read MoreRespect
From the desk of Carol C… The school year has started for most teachers and children. Open House is over, and now it’s time to begin to establish a positive relationship with our students and their families. I believe it is our responsibility in cooperation with the families to establish a relationship of trust. This…
Read MoreRealistic Goals
From the desk of Carol C… Summer Goals: clean out my closet, donate clothes to charity, clean out dresser drawers, come up with an organizational system for all of the “stuff” I have, wash the windows, read 6 novels I’ve been meaning to read, throw out from under every sink in my house what I…
Read MoreYour Morning Routine- at HOME
From the desk of Carol C… Being in a profession which involves working with people of all ages all day requires lots of energy and being in good health. Easier said than done in most cases at least on a consistent basis, but a few months ago I read an article about the importance of…
Read MoreTeacher Brain
From the desk of Hope… It is hard to turn this teacher brain of mine off. During my beach vacation this year we settled into a nice routine of late afternoon beach time. Having 17 people in our group, the day time routine was chaotic with people having different interests; some playing golf, some…
Read MoreWhere We Need the Best of the Best
From the desk of Alice… “Gentlemen, you are the top 1% of all naval aviators — the elite, the BEST of the best. We’ll make you better. Fly at least two combat missions a day, attend classes in between, and evaluations of your performance. Now in each combat sequence you’re going to meet a different…
Read MoreNo Words
From the desk of Alice… After the Newtown shootings in December I kept thinking I would find some words to put in a blog. The words never came. After Monday’s tragedy in Boston, I just couldn’t land on any other blog that seemed to say the right thing. As I scanned my files and the…
Read MoreWhere Did You Get Your Eyes?
From the desk of Hope… I was in a kindergarten classroom last week and a student came up to me and asked, “Where did you get your eyes?” Hmmm. I wasn’t quite sure how to answer but it didn’t matter because she was quickly shooed off to do her seat work. She promptly got busy…
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