While preparing for work on my masters degree in Leadership Development, I knew I’d need support to pass the GRE. I’d been in education for over a decade and I felt a little hesitant about taking an important entrance exam for the masters program I’d chosen. (I understand most people nowadays aren’t required to take …
So often when kids are working to recognize and regulate their own emotions, adults step in to tell or even dictate what kids need to do. Our Scholabox team chose to share resources for teachers and families to facilitate discussions, writing, reading, inquiry experiences for kids all around Emotional Intelligence. During this really tricky time …
My original state certification was for ages 3 through third grade. The state of Texas doesn’t allow that certification any longer. In addition, I am certified to teach grades K-8. Because my university degree and subsequent certification started with early childhood, the importance of social emotional learning in addition to academic content is clearly in …
A few weeks ago, my good friend Amy Bettis invited me to a publishing party in her kindergarten classroom. It started with donuts and balloons and lots of happy chatter. Her young writers were buzzing with excitement about their own personal “book birthday” celebration. Amy had her students gather on the carpet and one by …
This is a repost from several months ago. Time to revisit the importance of responsive teaching for our youngest readers. We wring our hands and lament that so many of our students are not learning to read and write. We wonder and debate. We study data and brainstorm solutions. We talk and plan and work …
This is a repost of a piece that Lisa Eickholdt wrote for That Thing You Do! Using student writing as mentor texts for our kids is powerful practice and the best way to honor their work. Thanks again to @LisaEickholdt! Lisa Eickholdt is guest blogging for today’s That Thing You Do! segment. She has spent …
That Thing You Do! segment posted on Thursdays throughout this year took a short hiatus while I wrapped up end-of-school tasks. I’m so pleased today to showcase a teacher on our campus who worked tirelessly this year setting new goals for herself and her young writers. Andi Spaulding is a kindergarten teacher on the PreK-6 …
I’m so honored that Ariel Bealer is today’s guest blogger for That Thing You Do! Ariel is a first grade teacher on our campus. She and her students write daily and when I’m able, I sneak into their Writer’s Workshop. You can follow Ariel on Twitter @a_bealer and on Instagram @iheartpenguinz Once a …
It’s a proud day indeed on today’s That Thing You Do! segment. Proud because I’ve seen Katie Webb start her teaching career and in a few short years look every bit the master teacher. Katie coaches me today through a systematic protocol for supporting ELL students with meaningful and rigorous language and content learning in …
Christmas came early this year. It came in February. I had pre-ordered my copy of Jennifer Serravallo’s The Writing Strategies Book and it arrived last week. What an incredible body of work for teachers and coaches to use in developing confident and skilled writers! Already this week, instructional coaches in our district have taken a …
