Category Archives: Teacher Leadership

The Return to Teaching

I am again looking forward to the classroom. I feel like it was long ago when I was there. I miss the interactions between students, watching young people make meaning of the world around them. I miss the opportunities to improve compassion and skill and purpose. I miss working with teachers who, by default, are amazing people with amazing talents to impact the learning of children.

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WASHINGTONIOUSLY Awesome: NBCTs fill the classrooms!

Picture 2 I remember when I signed up for NBPTS. I was filled with the excitement of the challenge, the excellence. I remember when I received my NBPTS box. I was filled with sheesh, what have I gotten myself into. Now that I have gone through the certification process, I am a stronger teacher which, ultimately, benefits my students.

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You Cannot Measure with Measure 60 (ORE)

Picture_2I do not usually have a newspaper in my house. I usually do not read the newspaper. However, on this cold, wet Sunday, I read the newspaper. You see, it was left there by a guest and I am glad they did. I was able to read about Measure 60 in Oregon. Not our state you say, well, it is only one state away from Washington, and not too many away from the others.

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Washington, a TON of education

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Washington state is awesome, awe inspiring. I have just left a facilitator training for NBCTs interested in facilitating candidates who are pursuing National Board certification. I left the training pumped, excited, invigorated! Washington is changing how education is viewed and this change is strengthening the learning of our students.

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adminiSTRAYtion

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Disclaimer to all administrators past, present, and future: I am sure you are all wonderful people. Work hard, care about students. Just wonderful. Smiley folks. Perhaps even a bit jollier than the average person. Smarter, too, I reckon. However, a colleague of mine just started his administration program and I have to admit, I felt a bit of sadness.

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An Invitation

As a writing teacher I work with seventh graders all year to help them find their voice as writers. I actually ordered a custom quote from Wallwords™ that says Find Your Voice to post in my classroom. Every day when I walk to school, those words in matte brick red, greet me. The words remind me that before my students learn any of the ins and outs of language they must first understand they have unique experiences, thoughts and ideas to share with the world.

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