“Stay at home learning” is the new topic for TV ads, displaying how home, work, and kids are perfect partners. As a former stay at home mom, partial homeschooler, and then teacher and principal, I’m here to say that the fantasy is true for some, but not for others. Some will discover creativity and excitement … More What if I can’t teach my kids?
I sit in my home most of the day, although I do a walk, some in-home exercise, and housework, which my Noom data counts as exercise, too. I am considered a highly susceptible person, given my age, so I adhere to isolation directions carefully. I have a sweet little townhouse with a view outside, good … More Doing the Impossible in a Covid World
My daughter is an amazing teacher. There, I’ve said it. She just is. She teaches English and has a background in the classics and Latin. But the magic she brings to the classroom is only partially attributed to her scholarly knowledge and academic thirst for learning. Her success is due to something she inherited from … More See the Child…Recipe for success!
September 11 will always be a trigger that launches a million memories. When my mother-in-law called to tell me she was going to the hospital, I realized I was ready for bad news. I remember the day clearly as we, so many, do– as I remember the day Kennedy was shot, and the Reverend Dr. … More It’s September. Need some hope?
” I think the world is going to be saved by millions of small things.” –Pete Seeger Pete Seeger. A name from the distant past, still as relevant today as he was protesting in the 1950’s. As I pull today’s t-shirt out of the drawer, I am comforted by his words. I see Pete Seeger … More Today’s T-shirt Inspiration
The most important thing a teacher or other adult can teach is the ability to healthfully interacting in relationship with others. Yet, as adults we often find ourselves frustrated with the behavior of young children. Deb Curtis, one of my most influential educators, describes a common response to why young children act the way they … More Supporting young children’s behavior
Another day, another attack on our children. The heart can only hold so much and address so many unbelievable tactics–to what end? Riffing off my friend Karen’s courage to try her hand at design for equality, I present my latest foray into t-shirts. My first t-shirt obsession was when my children were babies. I had … More T-shirt Power Blog #2
When my kids were little, I taught preschool and kindergarten. I saw many kids from different backgrounds in my work. This was over 40 years ago. The discussion of gun play in early childhood persists, as evident by Facebook teacher sites, and the controversy I discovered as an educator and parent has not changed, even … More Guns. And Kids.
Movement is what the human body is designed for.” ― Ben Medder Why is it so common for children to be packed into desks all day, seated in front of a teacher? Bodies were designed for movement, and movement helps the brain work its magic! Dr. JoAnn Deak has studied brains her whole life! A … More Let’s move! Let’s learn!
I have spent over 40 years thinking about perspectives. As an educator, it has been my responsibility to create environments for learning. It’s not as easy as one might think. A classroom must serve three, and often four constituencies: children, teachers, and parents, and, sometimes, administrators. One year I was a guest music/movement teacher in … More Perspective: Classrooms as enviroment…
