Teachers in North Carolina have an extended deadline to complete the NC Teacher Working Conditions Survey for the Department of Public Instruction. Currently we are at 90% of teachers completing it. State Superintendent Mark Johnson wants at least 95%. It would be a badge of honor for him. The survey happens once every two years, … Continue reading Something’s Wrong With the North Carolina DPI’s Teacher Working Conditions Survey
Coach Murphy Holds Up Another Trophy – Titan Baseball Claims Tourney
Name another coach in North Carolina who has been in the dugout or sidelines for as many conference and tournament championship games as Pat Murphy and held up the trophy. If you do know of one, don't tell me. Baseball is the most patient of games. No clock running. Everyone gets the same amount of … Continue reading Coach Murphy Holds Up Another Trophy – Titan Baseball Claims Tourney
A Case for More Grammar Instruction in Schools (And Less Standardized Testing)
"It really don't matter how i put my words together, as long as you know what I am sayin'. If it can be read allowed in the same way that i would say it. No big deal. Its sorta like talking on a piece of paper right? Too think I should be graded on how … Continue reading A Case for More Grammar Instruction in Schools (And Less Standardized Testing)
Drama Kids Rule! A Standing Ovation For High School Drama Programs
“Totus mundus agit histrionem.” When translated, the above Latin quote means “All the World’s a Stage” which is the motto of the Globe Theatre owned chiefly by William Shakespeare and the King’s Men. It is also a famous line from a most famous speech by Jacques from As You Like It. This past month, I enjoyed … Continue reading Drama Kids Rule! A Standing Ovation For High School Drama Programs
Why Shakespeare Matters To People Who Don’t Think Shakespeare Matters
The following is courtesy of the venerable Bill Bryson in his book Shakespeare: The World as Stage. I share it in the beginning of the school year with my students in my Shakespeare 101 elective class. Some think it rather trivial, but as the class progresses, many begin to see that the scope of Shakespeare’s work is … Continue reading Why Shakespeare Matters To People Who Don’t Think Shakespeare Matters
Mark Jewell – Congratulations to the Leader We Need
At the NCAE state convention this past weekend, I had the pleasure of meeting some people for the first time face to face although I have "known" them for quite a while. Public school advocacy has helped me link with some of the best people, individuals whose passion for students is only matched by a … Continue reading Mark Jewell – Congratulations to the Leader We Need
Welcome to West, Coach West
I really look forward to next season that much more. Today it was reported that Howard West will become the next boys basketball coach for the Titans. From Jay Spivey of the Winston-Salem Journal: Howard West is back in the Central Piedmont Conference. West was named the new boys basketball coach at West Forsyth, Athletics … Continue reading Welcome to West, Coach West
An Open Letter From a Veteran North Carolina Teacher to Young Teachers – You Are Vital
Dear Fellow Educator, I first want to tell you that I admire what you have chosen to do as a career. Teaching in today’s public schools is not easy. I know as I am in my 20th year of teaching. I still love my job. I still love being with the students. Outside of my … Continue reading An Open Letter From a Veteran North Carolina Teacher to Young Teachers – You Are Vital
Big Win on the Road – Overcoming Adversity and Playing For Team
If you know anything about sports here in the Triad area, then you understand the high level of competition within the high school realm. Traditionally soccer games between the ladies of West Forsyth and East Forsyth are more than competitive - they are glimpses of potential playoff games. While I am certainly biased toward my … Continue reading Big Win on the Road – Overcoming Adversity and Playing For Team
Our Schools Should Be The Most Colorful of Places
Schools should be places that should show some of the greatest amounts of color. Imagine if you as a teacher had to visually represent the wide array of talents, learning styles, abilities, skills, interests, and intangibles that each student displayed just inside of your classroom in a given period. For many teachers, that is a … Continue reading Our Schools Should Be The Most Colorful of Places
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