Monthly Archives: June 2009
With my mind on my money and my money on poster board and permanent markers
by ALISTAIR BOMPHRAY So I’ve been thinking about money lately. As in, where’d all mine go? Oh yeah—I spent it on backstage passes for the upcoming NKOTB reunion tour. Step One: We can have lots of fun! Actually, a hefty … Continue reading
Filed under Classroom Reflections, In The News
The solution to homeschooling?: Football
by JESSE SCACCIA I have been fairly unapologetic about my belief that homeschooling, in most cases, is probably not the best choice for the child. This group of shoulder pad wearing homeschoolers in Georgia has given me second thoughts. This … Continue reading
Filed under In The News
Reflections on Urban School Teaching: Learning Discipline
I’ve heard administrators, teachers, and, even parents, say that by “allowing bad behavior,” we are enabling students. There seems to be an assumption that just because one doesn’t support zero-tolerance, that it means that we are doormats, that we are putting up with students’ unruliness. Call me a liberal (don’t actually consider myself one), call me alternative, call me California crunchy granola, but one thing is certain, I am not a pushover.
There is such a thing as balance, a gray area, a third way… Continue reading
Filed under Classroom Reflections, Essays
Say it with me: You can’t fire me because I quit
by JESSE SCACCIA “Learning is not child’s play; we cannot learn without pain.” Or so said Aristotle. My friend Tom has it a bit differently. Last year was his first in teaching after a career as a well-respected journalist. He … Continue reading
Filed under Classroom Reflections, Essays, In The News
Teacher Woman: Education By Any Means Necessary
An homage to the most inspiring teacher in my life. Continue reading
Filed under Classroom Reflections
Teachers: How to spend your summer vacation
by JESSE SCACCIA 1. Watch the French documentary “To Be And To Have.” It is about a one-room school house in rural France. The teacher is patient, kind, generous, and has a supernatural ability to be present for each of … Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
A Rookie’s Perspective: I am a teacher, mentor, grief counselor, psychologist, and a person, but all they pay me to do is teach
Part of teaching in a community where violence infiltrates our students lives, is helping students to cope with it. I definitely did not learn how to do that last year in my teaching credential classes, nor was it in my job description when I signed my contract. However, it is most definitely a huge part of what I do. Continue reading
Filed under Classroom Reflections
Teaching and Learning: Grammar Lost in the Shuffle
How do we teach grammar in an age that devalues its importance, or at the very least, dismisses it as old-fashioned? Continue reading
Filed under Classroom Reflections
Accurately evaluating teachers… and a beautiful bridge I have for sale
by JESSE SCACCIA I’m going to let you in on a little public school teacher evaluations secret, but you have to promise not to tell anyone. When I taught in New York City, everyone in my department knew how to … Continue reading
Filed under In The News
Reflections on Urban School Teaching: 21 Notes of Farewell
An Oakland teacher says goodbye to her fifth grade students at the end of the year. Continue reading
Filed under Classroom Reflections
