Hi! I am a private school teacher in Pennsylvania. I am a dad of three, husband of a teacher, and a cat lover. Thanks so much for dropping by my new blog! I'm so happy that you are here!
I graduated with a diploma in Early Childhood Development in the University of Miami and started teaching immediately at the age of twenty-one. Taking graduate courses at night, I later earned a Masters of Instruction in Elementary Education.
My teaching days started near the turn of the century, back when there was room for Creative Thought in the classroom and children still had active imaginations. Classrooms had intricate play areas, sinks were stuffed with messy paint brushes, and"developmentally appropriate" was the catch phrase to use in an interview. I have been around just long enough to see the bureaucratic pendulum swing back and forth a few times, but sadly back to the time when children could just be themselves.
After apprentice teaching in kindergarten, my very 1st teaching assignment was in 2nd grade. I loved (and still love) that age group! After a shift in enrollment, I was moved to first grade and became a first to second grade floating teacher. It was such an excellent experience to watch my students grow across the course of 2 years. Those first four years in the elementary grades gave me a very strong foundation for working as a third grade teacher in the center of my career. I spent eleven years as a third grade educator, before moving into my current role as a second grade gifted specialist.
I am generally a very optimistic person. I am passionate about teaching and love the kids I teach. Lately, the state of schooling has given me lots to be worried about. I feel that statistics and standards have become obstacles to meaningful teaching. Real, live kids have become numbers, not individuals. It's very, very concerning.
This site is about the kind of instruction that is NOT judged by standardized tests. The kind of teaching that builds character, self-esteem, and deeper understanding. The kind of instruction that discretely meets the goals laid out from above. The type of teaching that teachers understand is good for kids. Sadly, the kind of teaching that great teacherskeep from prying eyes.