In the transition to remote learning, educators are doing more work than ever before. We are re-learning how to do our jobs, pivoting between instructional models, and constantly innovating our practice to provide the best quality instruction to our learners. Many of us are faced with difficult challenges, and at times, we just do not… Continue reading Secondary Stations for Remote Learning
Category: 2020
Recalibrating This School Year
Educators everywhere have embarked on a school year unlike any other. In the spring, we were in survival mode, doing everything we could to stay afloat and be there for our kids. We learned from that experience and started this year feeling a little more sure of what we were doing. If you’re anything like… Continue reading Recalibrating This School Year
Renewal
It’s been awhile. The last post I wrote was published in May. It has been four months since I have written anything. The longest I have ever gone. Because, as many of you know, I am not a quiet person. But lately, I have not been able to find the words. My voice has been… Continue reading Renewal
Endings
This time of year, there are a lot of endings. The end of a school year. The end of an elementary, middle, or high school experience. The end of a college career. Usually these endings are met with celebrations and new beginnings. There’s pomp, circumstance, and a lot of love. But, as we all know,… Continue reading Endings
Love, Mrs. G
Dear 6th grade class of 2020, I cannot tell you how proud I am of you. This year has not been at all how we expected it to be. Your first year of middle school, abruptly ground to a halt without notice. Leaving our classroom on a Friday, headed in to the weekend that ended… Continue reading Love, Mrs. G
The Fall of Grades
“Grades during this time should be used as feedback instead of instruments of compliance.” The Illinois Governor, J. B. Pritzker, made this statement when announcing that schools across the state would be closed until April 30th. Upon hearing it, I was proud that our state would be prioritizing learning and growth over grading. As I… Continue reading The Fall of Grades
"Classroom" Culture During COVID-19
Classroom and school culture are massive components of our jobs as educators. It's integral that we cultivate an environment where our students and staff feel comfortable and supported. Because then they are able to learn and work most effectively. We've each spent a lot of time this school year building these wonderful classroom and school… Continue reading "Classroom" Culture During COVID-19
Teachers: Feel your feelings.
We are living through a crazy time. That’s an understatement, for sure. But I’m not sure how else to put it. Everything is so uncertain and changing by the minute, that by the time I finish writing this, things will have evolved. In a video I recorded for my students, I told them that we… Continue reading Teachers: Feel your feelings.
The Biggest Problem in Education
Recently, I was asked a question on the Planning Period podcast. “What do you think is the biggest problem in education?” I responded quickly and with one word: inequity. I say this because I’ve been studying how education impacts the social mobility of our students. Lately, I’ve been doing a lot of reading in the… Continue reading The Biggest Problem in Education
It is enough.
This year has been hard. Not only have my husband and I been in a holding pattern, but I’ve also been struggling to find my place and my own direction. I’m constantly plagued by questions. Where are we headed? What do I want to do? Where do I want to go? How do I want… Continue reading It is enough.
Curriculum Coffee 