By Tara Strand-Balunis Looking back on my childhood, it seems I was always preparing for a career as a teacher. I loved working with children, even when I was a child myself. I spent my summers entertaining the younger children in my neighborhood, and at just 10 years old, I worked as a “mother’s helper”…
For educators, the last few weeks of summer break can hold a whole collection of emotions.In my own career, I have had summers that seemed to last forever, and summers that I wishedwould never end. Summers in which I couldn’t wait to return, and summers in which I wasn’tquite ready. Regardless of the emotions you…
By Monica Leigh Nelson Sometimes it can be hard for a teacher to relax. We’re so used to micromanaging each second in our day. We’re always making plans and back-up plans and coercing everyone to follow our plans. Down time in a classroom of 24 seven year olds can be downright scary! And then, after…
By: Sandra Burgess At the end of the school year, I always find myself rejoicing about making it through another year! I allow myself to rejoice for a day or two, and inevitably, I then begin reflecting on the year that is newly in the rearview mirror. I am blessed (and maybe almost cursed?) to work…
E. Nevenglosky I attended a seminar for classical schools earlier in the year. As I was listening to the keynote speaker, I was struck by his comment that nothing destroys a school culture faster than gossip. As we went through the rest of the school year, I paid special attention to this with my teachers….
by Monica Leigh Nelson I used to work with a student who would start to cry whenever I said the word ‘Math.’ I also once had a student who could do things with number bonds that blew my mind. He taught me tricks and strategies I’ve never seen in a math curriculum. He was excited…
E. Nevenglosky Those of us who work in the realm of servant-leadership often have to pull from our reserves of grace, patience, and compassion on a daily basis. We know that just because we extend these things does not mean we will receive the same in return. But yet, each day, we still choose to fight the…
By Monica Leigh Nelson Math is scary. I think many people, both adults and children, would agree with that statement. When they hear it’s math time, many children suddenly have to go to the bathroom, get a drink, sharpen a pencil, or see the nurse. Adults laugh it off and say, “I was never good…
By: Sandra Burgess What will students remember about their years walking the halls of your school? I asked myself that question a few years ago after visiting a school with a very distinct and beautiful culture. To be fair, the school where I teach does have some amazing cultural distinctions. We have a house system, a buddy system,…
By Monica Leigh Nelson I’ve always known that I was going to be a teacher. The first time I vocalized it was in Kindergarten, when my teacher had us all sitting on the rug and asked us what we wanted to be when we grew up. The boy beside me said he was going to…