Tag Archives: Education

No Homework. An Argument in the Social Media Circus.

The first time my son heard the word “Homework” he screamed, ran to his bedroom, slammed the door and locked it. He was three years old and his older sister decided it was time he got some homework too so she told him she was going to give him homework. That’s when the screaming began.ContinueContinue reading “No Homework. An Argument in the Social Media Circus.”

Distracted by Distractions

Watching students test has become an obsession for me, as a teacher and as a mom. I first began studying The Test about 10 years ago. I had always held a deep disdain for even the mention of the word “test” while plowing through my school years. I hated tests because I’d shut down andContinueContinue reading “Distracted by Distractions”

The Zika Monster

Everywhere you turn, you hear a buzzing sound–that high-pitched synchronicity peeling through your eardrum deep into the dead of night. That’s me. Every night. Even when there’s nothing really there. I had planned to begin this blog post by focusing solely on education because I’m trying so hard to stick to the just to thatContinueContinue reading “The Zika Monster”

Tapping into Anger, Hitler Youth

Youth The eyes spill anger, the kind that festers. Love turns to hate so quickly. There’s a sort of hell inside a young mind. I see it every day at school and all the time at home. It’s the conflict inside all of us, but as an adult, we master it. We live. We learn.ContinueContinue reading “Tapping into Anger, Hitler Youth”

Does money matter for teachers?

People used to ask me, “What do you do?” I’d say, “I’m a Publications Specialist.” Before that I’d say, “I’m an editor, writer, graphic artist, or copy editor.” They’d nod and smile in approval and ask more questions about it. I felt respected. Now, when people ask that question, I say, “I’m a teacher.” TheirContinueContinue reading “Does money matter for teachers?”

Why the School Year Begins with Nightmares

He jumped back. He was so startled that I thought I had a bug on my face when I went into my son’s room at 11 a.m. to wake him. “Wait, what day is it? Is there school today?” he asked. I shook my head and laughed nervously because I had been thinking that IContinueContinue reading “Why the School Year Begins with Nightmares”

Common Core in Florida

If you ask an educator or even a well-informed parent who lives in Florida about the New Florida Standards, there will probably be a very intentional groan of frustration followed by a rant or its opposite—dead silence and a mournful shaking of the head. One of the many reasons I’ve stopped writing so much stemsContinueContinue reading “Common Core in Florida”

Everyone should have to teach middle school.

The uncertainty and shock of feeling as if I’d entered a distorted dimension, splintered and shapeshifting, grew into a full-time stint as a middle school teacher. Everyone should have to teach middle school. I’ve said this ever since I realized I wasn’t going to quit teaching after all, ever since I got through those first fewContinueContinue reading “Everyone should have to teach middle school.”

Dream Home in Venus Domes

Tucked away somewhere in Florida, there’s a place called Venus. In particular, it’s the Venus Project created by Jacque Fresco. Dreams live there. And, the homes do too. They’re domes and at first glance they look like igloos, but in Florida that would be a paradox to say the least. I found out about theseContinueContinue reading “Dream Home in Venus Domes”