This blog post is a response to Lordodson’s questions that were posted on October 6th. I thought the questions were well written and invited great conversation. I wanted to ensure that I answered her questions as completely as possible. I always invite dialogue and questions from my blog posts, and I want to thank Lordodson for the questions that were provided...

The current head of the Department of Education for the United States is a woman by the name of Betsy DeVos. She is an individual that was appointed to her position by the President of the United States. She comes from a wealthy background with little to no knowledge of actual public education. ...

I need to start this blog by clearing up some misunderstanding from my previous blog. Due to some great feedback that I received, I wanted to make sure everyone understands what I mean when I say “the public education system.” When I use this definition, I am referring to the political realm of the public education system. ...

This post will be in multiple parts, as there is too much to put into one post. In this post I want to explain my problem with public education as it relates to students. As a teacher, it is my job to teach, encourage, support, and help my students become the best versions of themselves. ...

Every year I hear new students in my room brag that they were straight “A” student. I then ask them what that means. This is when I get a blank stare and an “I don’t know.” This is very disheartening. If students do not know what their grades mean, then what is the point of having grades? I even challenge parents to question what their child’s grades mean. ...

A hot topic subject in today’s education system in Idaho is Common Core. There are many people who will gladly give you their opinion on Common Core, and the majority of the opinions are negative in nature. I have personally heard that Common Core is to blame for the new way math is being taught. Common Core is to blame for more homework. Common Core is to blame for new educational policies. The truth is, Common Core isn’t what the majority of people think it is...

If you talk to any teacher, they will tell you that class size matters. The question is why? Why does class size matter so much? When I started writing this blog I was a strong believer that class size has a direct impact on student achievement. What I found hard to swallow was that all the research I read stated that there was little to no direct correlation between class size and student achievement. ...

Every year I begin the school year by asking my students what they think and feel about the word fail, and every year my heart sinks at their responses. This year I asked my students this question and the responses I received included: anxious, scared, sad, devestatating, fear, hurt, worry, etc. These answers break my heart. Students see failure and fear it. We need to change the mentality of our students to see failure as the process of learning and is nothing to fear...

When a parent drops their child off at school, whether it’s for the first time or the hundredth time, there is a silent exchange that is made between a teacher and a parent that says, “Together, we will make sure this child will succeed.” However, more often than not, this silent exchange is only made in the teacher’s mind. Please understand, I am not saying that all parents do not make this silent exchange, but it is becoming more and more of a one way exchange...

Every year I have the joy of welcoming a classroom full of new students back for a new school year. These students are new to my building and nervous for what’s to come. For students, every new school year can be uncomfortable. They are in a new setting, with a new teacher, with new students, and different classroom expectations. No classroom is the same. However, a new school year means a new start, new opportunities, and a clean sheet to work with...