I believe that there is a profound connection between student learning and student lived experiences and the ability of educators to embed who students are with what they are learning. I can vividly recall, as a young learner, the teachers who were most impactful in my learning. They showed genuine care for my well-being and […]
Differentiated Instruction
SERT= (joy + journey) x job
Fall 2021 marks the start of my 5th year as a co-SERT (Special Education Resource Teacher). Please, no gifts. Although, you can read on if you’re feeling generous? 2021 is also the first year that I finally feel comfortable in the position. Up until now, I’ve felt competent, somewhat confident, but never comfortable. If your […]
Mentoring Moments: Importance of Our Names
I always wanted to write why the name each of us are given is important to consider. Each year we have the privilege as an educator to touch and impact families as we teach their children. I emphasize as a teacher we teach children that belong to many cultures and backgrounds…As a teacher we have […]
Ditch Tests – Do Projects Instead!
As the year winds down and you start to think about next year, I have something I want you to consider: get rid of tests. No, seriously. Forget about them. When I first started teaching, I, too, used tests. After all, that’s what my experience was: finish a unit, do a test to demonstrate your […]
Some days I don’t like teaching
The above title is not a lie, but it hasn’t always been like this. I have no intentions on adding on more unlikeable days either, even while there are forces beyond my control always at work. I am seeking to understand how and why it feels this way? Prior to January 2020, it would have […]
Birds of a Feather….
….FLOCK Together!! In preparation for the Spring Equinox, which is usually held in the Rainbow Garden, I started to think creatively about how we could gather as a whole school community and respect COVID health and safety protocols. I wanted to incorporate dance, and then I remembered about flocking. WTF? Flocking is a type of […]
Brutalist worksheets
Have you ever seen something that made you wonder whether it’s sole purpose was to make you feel small or insignificant? I don’t mean this in feelgood sort of humbling way like you might ponder a mountain’s majesty or an ocean’s depth. I mean, the way you feel uneasy when looking at a decades old […]
Progressing With Difficulty
As the deadline for completing Progress Reports approaches, I am reflecting on the word “evaluation” and thinking critically about the ways educators and schools “value” knowledge and measure “success”. Despite the challenges and loss created by COVID-19, my young students continue to demonstrate compassion and resiliency. They are actively engaged in learning and happy […]