One of the aspects of lesson implementation which I’m trying to figure is intercontinental connections. Have you had experience with this in your classroom or business? How did you manage the technology? Which program did you use? How did you manage time zones? Here are two distinct lessons I want to try, one has to do with my Kenan Fellows… Read more »
In solidarity with back-to-school students around the US., here’s my obligatory piece on what I did this summer and one thing I learned from each experience. (In bullet form, so I won’t bore you with too much detail!) Visited Family: We flew to Florida to see brother Matt and lovely wife Lori. I loved walking on Madeira Beach. We also drove to… Read more »
I was delighted when my work was featured recently on the Kenan Voices site – an online newsletter for the Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership. Not only do I owe my summer corporate research experience to them and the learning opportunities gained for my students, but getting a shout out by them was an exciting surprise! See their post… Read more »
Without a doubt, I benefit from working at Ply Gem as I gain exposure to the workings of an R&D department, as well as discovering how the various engineers from across the disciplines work cooperatively inventing and problem solving. All of this helps me assist my students in college prep, along with obtaining a greater understanding in the preparation my students need for… Read more »
As an English teacher, my goals include teaching students techniques for reading comprehension, tools for engaging in deep discussion, and methods of clear writing. In our ninth grade curriculum, we also work with students on the college and career aspects. Here, I teach students how to write college entrance essays, resumes, and goal setting documents. We also work on presenting, collaborating, and… Read more »
Ask a roomful of teachers if they’ve ever sat through professional development sessions that were poorly done and probably every hand in the room will shoot up toward the ceiling. Then ask them *WHY* — I’d venture the top three answers are: 1) One-size-fits ALL training 2) The presenter didn’t understand classrooms/teaching, and/or 3) The sessions were not differentiated (The topic wasn’t… Read more »
When teachers incorporate cross-curricular (interdisciplinary) lesson plans into their repertoires, it increases students’ interest and understanding. Each year I poll my students, discovering what worked best for them as individuals, which lessons were the most memorable (from a learning standpoint), and what they predict will impact them with future learning. Invariably the answers fall into two categories: Lessons that went… Read more »
Being chosen as a Kenan Fellow and working with the Ply Gem company in their Research and Development department is such an honor. The other fellows and I are gathering at NCCAT in Cullowhee, which is located in the beautiful North Carolina mountains. During the week, we have extensive educator-led professional development, which is phenomenal. Each of the sessions I’ve attended had… Read more »
