21.4.19

Creating an Authentic Classroom

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How do we create an authentic context in our classrooms?  How do we create a context whereby the goal is not just to learn this skill for...

Where does curriculum come from?

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I have recently been reflecting on curriculum development. I have developed a lot of curriculum in my career, and it is important for me to ...
7.3.18

How do we move from a set of data to an action step in a classroom? (Student Writing as Data)

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I believe it is very important for teachers to be regarded as intellectuals who can assess their students and respond to students’ needs ef...

How do we "Humanize" Data (An Eagles Super Bowl Reflection)

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To "humanize" data, we must remember that in schools, we are ultimately working for humans: our students. As we organize our clas...
14.9.15

Philosophy and Purpose

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I told my students this week that I am excited to teach this year because of the philosophy and purpose that I am bringing to the classroom....
4.2.15

Participants in the Classroom and Learning to be a Mentor

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Today was the first day I handed over the reigns of my classroom to a student teacher. I was excited and anxious, but also very confident in...
5.1.15

Reflection on the First Day of Teaching of 2015: Learning is Fun :)

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This is my sixth year teaching. Each year, one of the most difficult days to wake up has been the day we return from winter break. This ye...
20.11.14

Reframing the "Civil Rights Issue of Our Time": A Brief Reflection of WE Annual Convention

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On Saturday, November 8, 2014, the Caucus of Working Educators of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers hosted their first annual convent...
13.8.14

Confucianism and the Purpose of Education

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The Analects, Book III What timeless and universal values exist in Confucianism that can inform teaching and learning in my life and classr...
23.7.14

Reflection of Teachers Lead Philly Summer Institute

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The past three days, I attended an institute with Teachers Lead Philly . We asked ourselves what it meant to be a teacher leader, while posi...
7.7.14

The Barnes Arboretum and Educational Interconnectivity

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I recently took a tour of the Barnes Arboretum at the original Merion campus of The Barnes Foundation . I admire Dr. Barnes as an education...
3.7.14

Remembering Walter Dean Myers: Strategy for Writing Fiction

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Walter Dean Myers passed away this week, and I heard this past interview with him on Here and Now .   He generated tons of writing that...
2.7.14

Confucianism and Modern Education (Part 3): Book II and Filial Piety within the Context of Confucian Governance and Leadership

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The Analects of Confucius, Book II What timeless and universal values exist in Confucianism that can inform teaching and learning in my lif...
30.6.14

Confucianism and Modern Education (Part 2): Book I and Personal Integrity, Honesty, and Honor

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I read through Book I of the Analects , and I am continuing to ask the following question: What timeless and universal educational values e...
27.6.14

Confucianism and Modern Education (Part 1)

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In an earlier post , I wrote about Confucius and the influence he has had on my teaching and learning. I have returned to The Analects of Co...
20.6.14

Video Killed the Radio Star and "The Medium is the Message"

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I happened to turn on AXS TV during halftime of a World Cup game, and they had program featuring the creative exploits of Duran Duran. A le...
18.6.14

Why Write?

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On Studio 360 Tuesday night , I listened to author Neil Gaiman talk about his success as a writer. Towards the end of his interview, he spok...
12.6.14

Teaching Writing in a Project-Based Environment

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Designing curriculum around project-based assessment while figuring out how to teach literacy skills (or any academic skills) is challenging...
10.6.14

The Need to Express

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Everyone needs to find a way to express themselves. Whether it is through music, sport, art, singing, or some other medium, it is crucial. T...
3.6.14

Art of Stepping In and Out

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"I cannot control others. I can only control myself." I have that posted on a post-it note next to my desk.  This is a crucial rem...