Breaks Over!

I have noticed a lot of complaining from teachers about going back to school tomorrow. I just want to say, put your big kids pants on and be glad that you have a job to go back to. I loved my two weeks off with the two extra days because of snow, but it’s time to do what we are paid to do. The kids need us, and for some of them, we represent a safe alternative to their lives. 
So when my alarm goes off at 5:45 I will rise and greet the day with a sense of hope and gratitude.

Free Technology for Teachers: 12 Ways to Create Videos Without a Camera or Software

Free Technology for Teachers: 12 Ways to Create Videos Without a Camera or Software

http://www.smartclassroommanagement.com/2010/12/04/8-things-teachers-do-to-encourage-misbehavior/

http://gracelandmomma.tumblr.com/post/2074644266/so-i-brought-in-a-christmas-tree-for-my

What is Success!

   The end to a long busy and frustrating week has come. It was filled with parents trying to do right by their children but in the end not holding them accountable for their actions. Then there were meetings on why students did not do well on their 9 week assessments. Never mind that they were exceptional education students.
   Since when does success mean you must get 100's, what happenned to the idea that the students showed growth. We need to celebrate their continued progress no matter how small it seems to us.

A Principal's Reflections: What Constitutes Good Instruction?

A Principal's Reflections: What Constitutes Good Instruction?

Improving mothers’ literacy skills may be best way to boost children’s achievement, October 25, 2010 News Release - National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Improving mothers’ literacy skills may be best way to boost children’s achievement, October 25, 2010 News Release - National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Interesting reading, supports the idea that we are only as successful as our relationships with our students families. As teachers we need to encourage parents to read to their children.