Posts Tagged ‘teaching’
My Peace Corps Experience
The Peace Corps likes to brag that it’s “the toughest job you’ll ever love.” I would amend this motto. My cousin Holli served in Africa in the 1990s and told me this about the experience when I was considering joining: “You’ll get way more out of it than the people you’re supposed to be serving.”…
Read MoreLet’s Go Buffalo, Do It For Levy
Being born and raised on Chicago’s South Side, I root exclusively for teams from my city except on rare occasions. I was a New York Knicks fan last year, and not as a bandwagon jumper, as they went all the way. I lived in Washington Heights in Manhattan, a short walk to the basketball Mecca…
Read MoreUpcoming Book Events For Yours Truly
Attention Chicago Public Schools teachers and administrators, those who work in other school districts, people who want to know what it’s like to teach in challenging environments all over the globe in today’s world and people who like to read about travel and searching for belonging: I’ll be doing two book events in Chicago at…
Read MoreFlunking the Sniff Test
I proctor a sniff test that is more like a pop quiz in that it is unannounced. Failing it will get you a call home to mom or dad but will not affect your grade. The test is done one on one with a teacher but is not oral. And I dare not give it…
Read MoreKudos To (Some) Principals
Flowers for our principals. The good ones anyways. That’s the title of chapter 11 of my book, and I think it’s an appropriate time to spotlight the chapter as this is National Principals Month, which celebrates the dedication and leadership these people bring to their schools. I’ve worked for good principals and bad. Good principals…
Read MoreAttention Scripted Curriculum Creators: John Dewey Would Hate You
You teach long enough and you eventually figure out that educational best practices are cyclical. What’s hot this year might not be next. But in three more, it’ll come back. I’ve taught at a school where the principal strongly urged teachers to make the students do more work on their computers via online modules like…
Read MoreIt’s Standardized Test Time, So Keep the Tissue Handy
With tears in her eyes, one of my middle school students asked for some tissue. It didn’t help. Unable to stop the flow of tears, she asked to go to the bathroom to pull herself together. “Of course,” I said. I had a good idea what this was about. Her issue? Cue the Ice-T song.…
Read MoreSafeSchools Training: A Chore Worth Taking Seriously
Attention educators: Chicago Public Schools is wise to your teacher tricks. Teachers figured out a way to get around watching the lengthy SafeSchools online modules that ensure all CPS employees complete required student-protection, safety and compliance training. So, the school district did something about it. No longer can you simply push play on their videos,…
Read MoreAffirmative Action: It’s Not Political, It’s Personal
I don’t vote. I say this with a great deal of pride. I’ve voted just one time in my 55 years. Back in 1992. It’s a regret of mine. I was in college. Like many college students, I was an idealist and was going to change the world. Politicians assure those on campus that they…
Read MoreThe Ills of Self-Publishing
Self-publishing is an exercise in humility. I speak from experience. I resorted to self-publishing after being dismissed by more than 60 agents. You can cut out the middle man – the agent – and send your manuscript directly to publishing companies. Good luck with that. I tried; they weren’t interested either. You finish your manuscript…
Read More