About

Hi there,

This blog started out as a place to reflect on my master’s-level studies and student-teaching experience at a local university.

I’m now a second-year teacher of Language Arts at an Unnamed Middle School in an Unnamed City in an Unnamed State.

Everything you read here is true, though most identifiable information has been changed to keep everything as private as possible.

Conversations with students are as word-for-word as I can get them; emails with parents are similarly accurate (unless I change the wording for anonymity); the lessons are real and the downloads I post are the exact same things I give to my students.

In a nutshell — names, locations, genders, names, etc., are changed to keep everyone private and innocent. I value my students’ safety and privacy.

18 Responses to “About”

  1. jasonwrites, on November 2nd, 2006 at 3:04 am Said:

    wonderful site you have, from a first-year middle-school language arts (AND social studies!) teacher… already looking forward to that second year!

  2. take attendance!, on January 26th, 2007 at 7:06 pm Said:

    It’s interesting what you’ve done here. I am also trying to create a reflective (sorry!) blog, but fear if I gear it only for myself I will lose interest. You have done well not to do that. It’s interesting to read and I’m sure it’s rewarding to write.

    Bravo!

  3. David, on January 28th, 2007 at 6:37 am Said:

    Very nicely done. i will be returning to read much, much more. Thank you for sharing.

  4. Chrissie, on January 30th, 2007 at 7:12 pm Said:

    This site is great! Just added it to my favorites…

  5. Chelsea, on February 7th, 2007 at 5:32 am Said:

    I’m an intern teaching english to ELD students. Your website is just so wonderful. I appreciate all the work you put into it! :-D

  6. arick, on February 10th, 2007 at 12:26 am Said:

    Hey, I love your blog. But I was wondering, since you’re a teacher, what is your opinion on programs such as PowerSchool? These programs that allow parents to monitor their student’s grades at all times. I, personally, think that it’s horrible. Of course, I may be biased as a student. But a student’s affairs are his and only his. Not to mention a program such as PowerSchool causes many students to become dependent on parent’s incessant nagging to get things done rather than do work on their own. In high school (it may be different for middle school), students are trying to become independent and in many ways create a life for themselves. They are trying to break away from parents… and PowerSchool hinders that…

    Okay, there’s my wonderful rant…

  7. bonnie kaplan, on April 19th, 2007 at 11:29 am Said:

    Hi tech,

    We didn’t get a call for this week’s sentence yet, correct? See how hooked I am?
    Bonnie

  8. Jen, on May 1st, 2007 at 2:55 am Said:

    Your blog is really nicely done- very impressive and so professinal-looking! After reading some of your comments, and comments from other bloggers, (about privacy) l am beginning to feel a bit panic-stricken. I totally have my name right out there in the open for anyone and everyone to see in my newly-formed blog. It’s the first time I’ve ever tried doing anything like this. As part of my doctoral program, I am required to document all of the things I’ve done to reflect on my growth as a leader so I got this idea that I would blog my interests and research ideas and such over the next couple of years and use that as “my proof.” Now I’m wondering if perhaps I should go back and delete some things??? I don’t want to lose my job!

  9. mkeckler, on May 1st, 2007 at 6:21 am Said:

    Great site. I’m enjoying your reflections.

    Maria K.

  10. Paul, on June 4th, 2007 at 6:47 pm Said:

    This is a really great blog!

    By the way how did you add the great hyperlinked images on your sidebar. I want to do the same with my own images into my newly formed blog (I can put images but not as hyperlinked images).

    Thank you in advance for your reply
    Best regards

  11. David, on July 18th, 2007 at 11:51 am Said:

    Great site and I’ve just spend a good hour browsing…surfing….whatever you call it….living?

    Like your slant and philosophy and that you are always, always leaning towards “betterment’ whatever that means at the moment and not as some agrandissed phrase.

    Cheers,

    If you ever want to contribute to a community about better teaching and resources, give me a shout . I’m at http://www.ddd.batcave.net

    DD

  12. Laura Varlas, on September 5th, 2007 at 8:59 pm Said:

    Love the new design!

  13. Clif, on September 7th, 2007 at 8:17 am Said:

    You’ve done a nice job with your graphic design and your building good content. I encourage you to keep building this and your other sites as they are beneficial to your students and other educators. I’m going to encourage others to visit.

  14. Liz, on October 12th, 2007 at 9:42 pm Said:

    What a fantastic blog! I wanted to let you know that I linked to you on my blog… it’s very relevant because I have been given the task of interviewing a teacher about how they feel about their work.

    I would love your help! Check out the questions on my blog. I’m sure you have a ton to offer!

  15. Sakib Al Mahmud, on October 23rd, 2007 at 3:33 pm Said:

    wow!

    that’s great blog and love to read your blog.

    Thanks

    Best Wishes
    http://ewordpress.wordpress.com

  16. learningprof, on March 25th, 2008 at 11:35 pm Said:

    I stumbled upon your site while searching for ideas to encourage my freshman comp class to engage with Anthem.
    I love your ideas. I would appreciate the opportunity to see the slides you used with them the first day introducing the novel/themes.
    I know you aren’t blogging any longer, but if you get this and wouldn’t mind sharing, I would appreciate it.
    Thanks!

  17. Suhadi, on May 2nd, 2008 at 11:21 am Said:

    At last, I found this great blog! Soon, I’ll be back to read more. Sorry if my english breaking your heart. Ha.ha..ha.. Now, I trying to improve it. I am a biological science teacher at a junior high school in Indonesia.

  18. Nio, on July 3rd, 2008 at 7:30 pm Said:

    MzML3T I am need to price

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