learning through leading
As we all navigate the beginning of the 2020 school year, the ability to collaborate is more important now than ever before. This is not only collaboration amongst our content teams, but collaboration across the country as a whole. Biggest PictureThree years ago I learned the power of Twitter. I grew my personal learning network …
Continue reading "Educator’s Lifesaving Tip 5: Collaboration"
On May 14, 2020, I was hired by the school board of Siloam Springs School District as the new Assistant Principal at the high school. This is a dream job with one of the best administration teams I have had the privilege of knowing. On July 13, 2020, I started my first official day in …
Parenting is tough, like really tough. I had no idea what I was signing up for 12 years ago when my son came into this world. I have made more mistakes than I care to share, but I have also experienced more joy than I thought possible. As time has gone on, I have been …
"I will give respect when I get respect." "Yea!" "I better get treated right before I even think about giving someone respect." I sat there puzzled, not quite knowing how to respond to this. I was in my classroom, end of spring semester, during our Advisory period doing a discussion with my 10th grade students …
SMART Goals-- A term that every educator has heard, and most likely multiple times at that. If you are new to education or live under a rock (not judging), SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. Every goal should meet these five criteria to be a SMART/good goal. I remember years ago when …
Continue reading "Educator’s Lifesaving Tip 2: Goal Setting"
"It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men."This blog is based on the podcast "Consequences vs Punishment with High School Students" by Dr. Becky Bailey, the creator of Conscious Discipline. Dr. Bailey begins the podcast by first defining the two words. Did you know that the word consequence has roots in …
I have had a nontraditional career so far as an educator: It all began in college. I started off as an art major, but as the first semester was coming to an end I began thinking about my financial responsibilities after graduation... which led to me to the drawing board for another degree. Next, I …
Over the years I have heard the phrase "project based learning" and have spoken with several teachers who have boasted about having a being project based learning (PBL) classroom. As I have had the opportunity to visit different learning environments it has become clear that there are some misconceptions about PBL. I do not claim …
For the past 3 years I have gotten to work with a range of English Language Learners (ELLs). Not only do these students come in with a variety of different home languages, but they also bring their own unique story to my classroom. As an educator it is my job to give each of these …
30 years ago Robin Williams starred in the movie Dead Poet's Society, which is still watched in classrooms today. In this film we see a teacher motivating his students to be the very best they can be. It's a wonderful portrayal of an educator challenging and leading students to always do their best by seizing …
Continue reading "Teachers vs. Everyone: Media’s Portrayal of Educators"
