Obama’s Classroom

“Students, take your seats!” The roughhousing students ignored his request. “Students!” he shouted, hoping the volume would grab their attention. “Screw you!” said a voice from the back. “Sit down, now!” He watched for responses so he could send the perpetrators to the principal’s office. If he could just thin … … more …

Favorite New Teaching Mandate for Elected Officials

Teaching Mandate for Elected Officials Constitutional Change Required JCwire: Washington Momentum for a change to the U.S. Constitution gained ground today as legislators pitched their plan for a new requirement to elected office: teaching in K-12 classrooms. Supporters claimed that the skills required to broker debate and maintain order in … … more …

A Good Day

Enter Obi-wan My assignment was for a local elementary school where I had met the teacher.  He ran his class like a Jedi boot camp with posters and models to match.  He had taught his fifth graders to be fairly independent and I hoped this behavior would continue today. Arriving … … more …

A Good Sub

Forewarned I arrived at school early, having allowed for traffic hazards this time but encountering none.  As I waited for the school secretary to appear, a woman asked for whom I was subbing. I seldom remember a teacher’s name.  If I get to the right school with the right grade … … more …