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It seems that at every school there is always a small minority of teachers that don’t seem to like teaching, or kids, for that matter.  And putting in more then the minimum is unheard of.  But beyond that there seems to always be that one tenured teacher who actively cheers on the demise of one’s own school. (more…)

Bluebird’s classroom hosts a lovely buffet of educational plates for your reading pleasure.  Check out my own contribution to the meal.  Enjoy!

Well, in an absolute Hollywood-style touchdown, complete with footage of the men at their stations awaiting word that the Rover had safely landed, quaking with each benchmark reached during the countdown, “150 meters…120 meters….90 meters…,” the Mars Rover had landed.

There are times when I wish I could have been born a little later, just to see the incredible things that the next generation gets to discover.  

We brought in computers, that make our planet just a little smaller by giving us the power of shared information.

What were the most important accomplishments of previous generations?

Mark Wagner of EdTechLife fame posted a great, comprehensive and layman’s look into the candidates’ educational policies. He discovered some surprising and not-so-surprising facts.

For one, McCain doesn’t even mention Ed Tech as factor in his education policies.  For another, Clinton doesn’t either.  Obama mentions it, but only in regards to the maths and sciences.

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Teacher Magazine has an article today about Idaho’s progress in developing a standardized teacher evaluation that could be a stepping stone for developing an acceptable pay-for-performance legislature. The article didn’t get me thinking so must about the concept of a standardized teacher evaluation that might be more effective then our current process.  I mean, let’s face it, what’s the controversy?  We all know it should be a better process.  

But it did get me thinking about an incident that happened last year at my school where the union was brought in to protect a teacher from being observed beyond the allowed contracted hours after complaints had been waged against the teacher.   (more…)

Dave Saba of DoE: Dave on Ed fame examined the Center for American Progress report on Alternative Teacher Certification possibilities.  In response to his post, I commented that not only are alternative methods of teacher credentialing a must, the development of better new teacher supports must also follow suit.  Here is my comment:

The fact is that many teacher credential programs are antiquated, tedious, and off-target.  I, for one, went through a program where my Ed Psychology Prof just read us his screenplay for a semester, where the Teaching Mathematics teacher had only taught 1 full year 30 years ago, and there were no courses on classroom management.  I learned it all on the job, building up resentment for the wasted money and time that I previously had to log into my seat at the University when, in fact, my real education was occurring in my own classroom and working collaboratively with teacher mentors who shared my philosophies on teaching.  

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Look, we all know the statistics.  Many of the hardest-to-teach classes are being taught by the least experienced teachers.  According to Education Week, a study was recently conducted in Philadeliphia evaluating 9th graders, “the make-or-break year for many students on the path to dropping out of school” which found that “students are more likely than their upper-grade peers to be taught by inexperienced, uncertified teachers.” 

While I understand the argument, I also know that these young teachers have an advantage that I will not have years down the line: energy.  

When I was in my early years of teaching in my mid-twenties, I was hired to teach at an inner city school.  It was, in fact, the under-funded alternative school for those students kicked out of the other schools.  We had broken glass in the halls, police tape from the weekend still strewn over the kindergarten yard come Monday, and no textbooks.  A classic Michelle Pfieffer/Hilary Swank/Morgan Freeman movie in the making.  

I actually jumped into the deep end of the pool, and there wasn’t any filter, so there was moss on the top and calcium deposits coming from the cracks in the bottom, but it was there that I learned to swim.   (more…)

Well, it’s that time of year and the politicos and celebs are out in force, each earning their honorary degree in reading speeches written by their publicists.  OK, so maybe they really do write their own speeches.  Whatever.  The fact is that some of them are wonderful, inspiring, and a great resource for my Speech students who are entered in the Oratorical Interpretation category.  

I thought I’d start a post that chronicles some of the most awesome ones as they trickle in this graduation season, as well as present to you all some of my favorites from years gone by.  I’ll add to it periodically, and if you read or hear of one that you think needs to be recognized, please send it my way.

Enjoy, and happy graduation.

Will Ferrell Commencement Day Speech at Harvard, 2003

Alan Alda Graduation Day at Connecticut College, 1980

Alan Alda at Southhampton College, 2003

Tom Hanks at Vassar College, 2005

Guy Kawasaki at Palo Alto, 1995

Barbara Kingsolver at Duke University, 2008

PJ O’Rourke, Commencement Address, 2008

Here is also a website that chronicles some of the best speeches.  Enjoy.  

More to come…

I loved Derek Landy’s Skulduggery Pleasant.  Let me say it again: I loved this book.  It’s edgy, dark, and hilarious.  I haven’t read a vivid character like this is a long time.  Skulduggery is in one breath a rapscallion, a role-model, and a rogue. Picture Errol Flynn sans skin.

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