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Monthly Archives: July 2010
Mike May: A Truly Inspirational Person
At the first stop on my summer tour, I heard a truly inspirational speaker. Mike May is an entrepreneur. He has set speed records for skiers and he has crashed the winter Olympics. He has pioneered a device that assists visually impaired people like… Continue reading
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a rude awakening
Today I went to Day 2 of a three day training for reading workshop. It’s a statewide event, so there were TONS of teachers there.
I managed to find two other teachers from my school and we met up for lunch. On our way back to our afternoon sessions, I asked “Paula” how she liked being a teacher. Paula came to our school in January of last year to take over a Kindergarten class. She had been a banker for a number of years before her career change.
Here’s what she had to say:
You know, it’s funny. It seems like every time I turn around, another assessment is due. I feel like I’m always testing. I always thought that as a teacher, I would be doing more….. teaching.
So in honor of Paula, and all of the new teachers out there who may or may not have heard this from their training programs, I offer the following chart:
Does this ring true with you?
Posted in Classroom Life, conference, Reflections, teaching, Testing
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CEC ACTION ALERT: GIFTED ED FUNDING ON VERGE OF ELIMINATION
In the last two weeks, the House AND Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Education have voted to ELIMINATE funding for the Javits Gifted and Talented Education program, the only federal investment in gifted education. Tomorrow, Thursday (7/29), the full Senate Committee will determine whether to accept the Subcommittee’s recommendation of elimination. Elimination of the Javits program will result in the loss of identifying best practices and closure of the National Research Center on Gifted Education. All are strongly urged to call their Senators ASAP. CEC’s Legislative Action Center provides all the info you need to make an informed and effective call:… Continue reading
Posted in CEC Legislative Action Center, Gifted and Talented, Opportunities for Advocacy, U.S. Congress
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Congress Fails to Pass Money for Education Jobs
After weeks of lobbying by educators from across the nation, and despite record layoffs occurring all over the nation, Congress failed to pass emergency funding for education jobs. Although the House of Representatives had passed $10 billion to save educator jobs earlier this month, the measure failed to gain support in the Senate. Needing 60 votes, Senate Democrats last week failed to muster even a simple majority for the $10 billion already approved by the House. CEC and its members had worked tirelessly with other education organizations trying to convince Congress of the real need for this money and how… Continue reading
Posted in CEC Legislative Action Center, IDEA Early Intervention, IDEA Preschool, IDEA School Aged, Opportunities for Advocacy, U.S. Congress
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CEC Celebrates 20th Anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
CEC urges U.S. to quickly ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). On July 26, 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), one of the most important civil rights laws in our history and the first major piece of domestic legislation in the world to address the discrimination, legal challenges and physical and systemic barriers faced by individuals with disabilities. There is no question that the ADA has leveled the playing field and immeasurably enhanced the futures of children and youth with disabilities, providing them with greater… Continue reading
Posted in Administration, U.S. Congress
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On the most recent DCPS teacher firings
D.C. fires 241 teachers and puts 737 educators on noticeWashington, D.C., schools chief Michelle Rhee ordered the dismissal Friday of 241 teachers — including 165 who received poor ratings under the district’s newly implemented IMPACT evaluation syste… Continue reading
Posted in DC Public Schools, WTU
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caution! hard hat area — uncoordinated teacher at work
For the last three weekdays, it’s been just me, the janitors, and the principal at school. I’ve been trying to get things set up so that I can leave on our last vacation of the summer without wigging out at all the stuff I have to do before the first day of school.
Below are the fruits of my labor:
This is my front door. I’m going to write the names of each of my five first graders on the spyglasses. Hopefully it will have a welcoming effect!
Do you sense the pirate theme yet?
The left side of this bulletin board is for showcasing great student work. The right side is going to change on my whim. I think for the first few months, it will be for posting classroom rules.
If you’re wondering why it took me three days to put up four bulletin boards (one is not pictured), LET ME JUST TELL YOU. Have you ever tried to hang butcher paper all by yourself? Without crinkling the paper? Without falling off the chair/counter/stool you’re standing on? Making sure the whole thing is straight and not lopsided? It’s hard work. Especially when I technically have only one bulletin board made out of cork. For the others I had to either use tape or a staple gun.
So that’s why it took me so long! If only I wasn’t such a perfectionist…
For all of my teacher readers out there…. have you started working in your classroom yet?
Posted in teaching
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Today She’s My Birthday!
Well, people. I am the new face of 40! Today, she’s my 40th birthday! I can’t believe I’m 40! Where did the time go????
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Posted in life
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U. S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, to Hold Live Radio Town Hall Meeting with Nation’s Teachers
In preparation for Congress’ reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, will hold a Town Hall Meeting with the nation’s teachers on Thursday, July 29, 2010. It will begin at 11:00AM EDT and end at 12:00 PM EDT with a feature studio audience of teachers from a cross-section of public schools, drawing from a variety of districts, grade levels, and disciplines. The purpose of the Town Hall is for teachers to voice their ideas and concerns directly to the Secretary and to discuss the critical issues in education with the educators who work… Continue reading
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And apology to stepchildren….
And apology to stepchildren. See special education law blog. listenPowered by Jott——-
Thanks for subscribing! Jim Gerl Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
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