As someone who is passionate and truly geeky about the power of technology in education, I often hear from my fellow teachers, “I’m not really a techie person.” Now, I get where they are coming from because technology can be intimidating. Many times I’ve said, “I’m not really a math person.” I can “do” math […]
Teacher Wellness
Teacher Well-being
In the midst of a pandemic, this month in particular has me thinking about teacher well-being. I know that we often focus on student well-being – which is imperative – and I wonder if now might be a good time to stop and acknowledge that current events are taking a toll not only on our […]
Inspiration During the COVID Crisis
I know that as I write this, I speak from a fortunate position. We are working safely from home and all of us are still healthy. Other than not being able to see extended family and friends, having some aches and pains from being in front of the computer and get out to the hair […]
So you’re teaching from home. How’s your back?
Ouch! Each time that the government extends public school closures because of COVID 19, it hurts more and more. Although, concerns for the safety of our families at home and school are top of mind, it really hurts to be away from students, staff, and the frenetic spaces we normally occupy. It hurts wondering if […]
Distance Learning – Trying to Get Back Into a Routine
It’s week 4 of what I have been calling, “Distance Learning”. I can’t believe the time has been going so quickly and yet it feels as though we haven’t been in the classroom in what seems like forever. I write this post from my “classroom” in the basement and will use it as a reflection […]
Turning to Twitter when tested in #onted
Without dipping too far into my bag of clichés this month, I wanted to focus on the incredible work coming from educators in respose to the “new normal” brought by the COVID 19 pandemic. The same educators who were standing up for the future of our students last month have been working hard to support […]
New learning
It is hard to select a specific topic at this time. I find it hard each day to think about the school year, just sad to be out of the classroom and away from my students. It has already been such a hard year on the students with extracurriculars taken away and missing more than […]
Illness, Shame and the Educator Martyr Complex
A recent Twitter post from Liz Ryan @humanworkplace read: Coronavirus is teaching us that: Healthcare is a right Paid sick time is a right Many, many people could do their work from home (clearly not teachers) We are more dependent on a healthy society than we want to acknowledge This tweet got me thinking about a […]
The end is here
The end (of January) is here. Thankfully. I thought wrapping up 2019 would have signaled my surrender. I didn’t know another white flag needed to be waved so quickly, but here goes. The month of January has been particularly trying on my mental health and well being. When I say my mental and health and […]
Just a Little Patience
I’ve often been described as a person with a lot of patience. However, in my current role as a contained classroom teacher of 10 students with developmental disabilities, my patience has been tested over the past year and a half. My students sometimes demonstrate their anger or frustration in aggressive or difficult ways. Other days, […]