We Were All New Once by James Coats I am a new teacher – like, fresh out of the box new. I finished my student teaching in March, received my MAT soon after, and started my career in August. I have a whopping 5 weeks’ …
Psst: Hey, Bud. C’mere. How Would You Like to Buy. . .an A?
Psst: Hey, Bud. C’mere. How Would You Like to Buy. . .an A? by Paul Hankins (cue the “sneaky” music) Today’s post is an attempt to square up what an A means. And how we might come to an agreement that the distinction tied to …
I believe in joyful and celebratory dancing.
As part of the Oklahoma State University’s Writing Project Advanced Summer Institute, teacher consultants crafted “This I Believe” essays inspired by the organization’s call for people to write and share essays describing the core values that guide their daily lives. At a time when teachers’ …
From Picture Books to Profound Insights: The Power of Storytime in High School
From Picture Books to Profound Insights: The Power of Storytime in High School by Kyri Hester It’s Friday, I’m sitting in my special chair at the front of the class, picture book in hand, as my students stare transfixed. We take time to look at …
Building Relationships to Discover Reading Identity
Building Relationships to Discover Reading Identity by Kimberly H. Johnson, Ed.D. When I looped up from teaching primary and elementary students to teaching middle and high school students, I felt a gut punch when I discovered students’ reluctance to read in secondary grades. Young children, …
Over the Bridge: Using Phone Calls to Connect Students’ Worlds
Over the Bridge: Using Phone Calls to Connect Students’ Worlds by Brenda Moreno Early this summer, I visited the Chicago Botanic Garden. As I made my way from one garden to the next, I came across a sign that reminded guests that bridges symbolically link …
Battling Isolation One Message at a Time
Battling Isolation One Message at a Time by Erin Vogler If you’re here reading this, you know. You know how hard this work can be. You know the feelings of isolation that often find their way into your world, even when surrounded by supportive colleagues …
Let’s Get Flipped
Welcome to Ethical ELA’s Friday Teacher Scenes featuring teachers’ stories from their classrooms and experiences to contribute to and shape the public narrative of what it means to be an English language arts teacher in today’s sociopolitical climate. We hope to center and uplift one …