Heather Wolpert-Gawron

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Teacher Evaluation meets Survivor

Teacher Evaluation meets Survivor

By on May 12, 2009

I’m not a big Survivor fan.  I mean, I really hate what the people become when pitted against each other.  So I don’t watch it…at least not on TV.  So when I read Scott McLeod’s post suggesting that school communities

How to Battle Epic Paragraphing

How to Battle Epic Paragraphing

By on May 12, 2009

Every year my nemesis rears its ugly head: the epic paragraph.  Epic paragraphs are those essays comprised entirely of one mega-paragraph with no indentations to indicate transition from thought thought. I bet you thought your kids were the only ones

The “Sweet Spot” in Interactive Whiteboards courtesy of Robert Marzano

The “Sweet Spot” in Interactive Whiteboards courtesy of Robert Marzano

By on March 9, 2009

CUE scored Marzano.   As he began his keynote presentation on Friday at the 2009 Computer Using Educators conference, Robert Marzano confessed that he had been slow on the tech bandwagon, only recently researching enough to see what all the

Top 10: How to Take Control of Your Teaching

Top 10: How to Take Control of Your Teaching

By on February 25, 2009

How can you take control of your teaching, both literally and internally? Read my Top 10 list that advises a teacher on how to get what you need in this demanding job of ours, how to survive it, and how to love it.

Test Prep-Bubbling Power

Test Prep-Bubbling Power

By on February 2, 2009

So I looked at my 8th grade students’ scores after they took the MMA and sighed.  Their scores sucked.  

NewsHour with Jim Leher: Michelle Rhee

NewsHour with Jim Leher: Michelle Rhee

By on January 17, 2009

I recently watched John Merrow’s interview with Michelle Rhee on the NewsHour.  Michelle seems like a real mixed blessing for education. On one hand, she’s willing to clean house, and education does seriously need it.  On the other hand, however,

Sesame Street: Word on the Street

Sesame Street: Word on the Street

By on January 12, 2009

OK, so as I write this I’m watching Sesame Street with my 2 year old.  This big-feathered muppet just announced that the Word on the Street is, get this…Struggle.  I kid you not.  I guess times are tough even on

But what if the child does everything in their power to be “left behind?”

But what if the child does everything in their power to be “left behind?”

By on January 11, 2009

The Boston Globe is reporting that some students deliberately “shoot themselves in their own foot.”  Some of the reason is that trying hard is frightening.  Now, don’t get all uppity.  Let’s face it; even the most mature of adults may

The snail wins the race…with RSP

The snail wins the race…with RSP

By on October 1, 2008

Just a brief post of victory to share: At the beginning of Sept 2007, I gave a pre-assessment to my class in order to learn their levels and begin the process of differentiation.  I looked through the results and my

Should a free education be unconditional?

Should a free education be unconditional?

By on September 6, 2008

So you know when you get your group of kids on the first day, there are those who immediately set off your alarms?  Well, that definitely happened to me on my first day. I have a student who clearly needs

Kelly Gallagher’s Golden Line

Kelly Gallagher’s Golden Line

By on July 12, 2008

Kelly Gallagher on the simple concept: "Everyone improves."

NCLB?  How ’bout B-studentsLB

NCLB? How ’bout B-studentsLB

By on June 21, 2008

NCLB might be losing the highest students, but it is also causing the loss of the middle-of-the-line student's electives.

D is the New F for North Carolina

D is the New F for North Carolina

By on June 11, 2008

Is D the hew F? I comment on The Core Knowledge Blog.

Don’t Knock the Less Experienced Teacher

Don’t Knock the Less Experienced Teacher

By on May 23, 2008

I know the use of new teachers in harder-to-teach classrooms is frowned upon, but maybe they have some pros in the face of so many cons: energy, passion, and flexibility.

The Triumvirate of Success

The Triumvirate of Success

By on March 24, 2008

In a response to the New York Times article from 3/23, there are three elements that must be in place for a student to succeed: the home life, the school, and the student.

Education X-Prize

Education X-Prize

By on February 17, 2008

Education needs to reach beyond those within education for ideas on how to solve its problems. Maybe the X Prize Foundation can figure it out.