Today was one of those days.  The days that I used to have in my first year, when I came home crying and feeling hopeless.  The days where my lesson was terrible and no one learned, even after I re-wrote it the night before (staying up late planning is something I had banished all this year)…

We started state testing this week and it’s a more miserable experience than I recall from last year.  I did have one bright spot, which was then brightened even further today!  I like to write about the bright spots, and this one is a student. To give you some background, S is a brilliant kid…

I had my first “Leadership Team” tonight–the second component of training in year two, at least in my region. I am so energized! It was such authentic, meaningful discussion amongst a group of brilliant, talented, modest, thoughtful peers. I loved it.

I had three different administrators come up to me today and tell me how great I am.  You see, we had visitors in our school today, and they observed my classroom.  These are the important kind of visitors–the kind hired for the whole area of failing schools to make sure we’re on track.  They are…

It has come to my attention that in fewer months than I think I will have to make a decision regarding what to do after TFA.  After.  As though there’s an end to this craziness. I have a degree in ballet and a certification in secondary math.  I love to organize and analyze, I love…

I walked into my advisory one day to find these things occurring: The day before, one of my students had mentioned planking and another asked what the word meant.  We really have no curriculum or structure for advisory, so I decided we should learn about planking that day.  I pulled up the YouTube video from…

Don’t yell Don’t talk too much Be FUN! Don’t chew gum Be prepared Wear the dress code with us Don’t use your cell phone during class Don’t use your computer (unless it’s an emergency) Be organized Treat us fair Let us sit wherever we want Don’t touch us without asking Don’t lie Be creative If…