Summer Reading for Education

Most teachers I know try to read for enjoyment in the summer as an escape from our busy and stressful school year.  Then there are a few of us-geeks who enjoy reading about our profession and building our knowledge base.  So for those of you geeks who are looking for a book about how to improve schools I would "lightly" suggest the book Leverage Leadership: Building Exceptional Schools. I have been reading it on my kindle. The target audience for this book is Administration, Superintendents, Principals and some lead teachers.  It discusses the steps and attitudes people in leadership should have in order to lead effectively.  The book uses real life experiences of Superintendents whose schools are not meeting the state requirements, meaning AYP.   It walks you  through some great concepts, ideas to try and helpful research to consider.  It can get a bit boring and dry in some areas.  I am about 50% through it and finding myself skimming and scanning through some parts of the book.  Have a great summer!

Driven Schools

One of the many keys to a successful school is having teachers who are providing quality instruction.  In our profession a teacher who teaches strictly from a "manual" will not provide students with the tools to be successful.  An administration that allows teachers to remain in their comfort zones of teacher manuals and workbook pages and myriad of worksheets is also setting children and teachers up for failure.  Children do not learn from filling out worksheets!  It's boring and has little value to the learning process!!!  That old practice is not applicable in our fast moving, high-tech and otherwise progressive society.  I've heard teachers and even school board members start complaining about modern education with this sentence..."When I was in school....."  Guess what?  There is a reason our society and country have not been able to keep up with the world of academic progress.  It's a challenge to find solid teachers who are able to connect with children in a way that will help them to achieve in school and in life. 

Another adage: "There's more than one way to crack a nut".  Teachers who only teach or provide information in one way are providing a disadvantage rather than a successful opportunity for children to grow.  So...get cracking and be an awesome teacher.

Over to the right side of this blog I have added some links to help you validate or find researched based lessons and activities.

Moving in day.

Today I officially moved into my new school and into my new path in education.  This afternoon when I pulled into the parking lot, car loaded with all my teacher stuff and my son,  I saw our school's marquee.  Below is a picture of it.  What a wonderful way to start a new school year!  Thank you God for answered prayers!

The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller

This week I am reading The Book Whisperer.  It is helpful and insightful book for any teacher or parent to have in their "tool-box". It has inspired me for the up-coming school year.  It is a reminder of the need to promote passionate reading and to instill in our youth the fun and failures of reading.  I found my copy at  amazon.com. I highly suggest it.

Donalyn Miller has a blog. http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1970104.Donalyn_Miller/blog

Rebecca Goes Retro

I am soooo excited about my latest venture.  I am setting up an online store to sell vintage and otherwise known as Retro clothing and other items.  It will be on www.etsy.com soon.  Check back later to shop my store.  :)