Why I'm Jealous of Teach for America Teachers
By Heather Wolpert-Gawron
10/29/09
I don't mean to whine, but I'm feeling neglected. For all my questions about the eventual impact on education with Teach for America, I find myself a little pouty that TFA teachers get all this professional development, and I don't.
Banned Books Week: Slaying Censorship
By Heather Wolpert-Gawron
9/30/09I am an avid celebrator of Banned Books Week. It becomes a way to make reading sexy -- the exact opposite of what those who challenge or ban books have intended. Cue evil laughter.
A Teacher's Take on Obama Speaking to Schoolchildren
By Heather Wolpert-Gawron
9/9/09So, President Obama addressed the children of our schools on Tuesday, speaking about the value of education and encouraging students to work hard. The controversy leading up to the live speech really made me see red, not about those who instigated it but about those who gave in to its blackmail of bias.
Teachers Should Battle Poor Publicity
By Heather Wolpert-Gawron
9/4/09The online headline reads, "Does your child have this teacher?" You follow the link and wince as the clip from last night's local news shows the cell phone camera footage of a teacher, veins popping, eyes bulging in anger, using language only a sailor could love.
Discovering Lesson Ideas in Unlikely Places
By Heather Wolpert-Gawron
8/10/09Lesson plans come from all sorts of wacky places. You know the old commercial: "You got your chocolate in my peanut butter! Well, you got your peanut butter in my chocolate!" And just like a peanut butter cup, it seems Jane Austin and zombies go great together.
A Risk Veteran Teachers Take
By Heather Wolpert-Gawron
7/17/09I have been teaching for ten years. I have mentored teachers, become a department head, sat on committees, presented at conferences, and taught upward of 2,500 students ranging from third grade to 12th grade.
The Myth of Having Summers Off
By Heather Wolpert-Gawron
7/8/09"So, you're a teacher, huh?" says the umpteenth Joe Know-It-All. I know the tone, and I know what's coming next: "Must be nice having summers off," he sneers. I don't know what mythical job this guy thinks I have, but I have never had a summer off.
Setting Boundaries Can Mean a Happier Teaching Career
By Heather Wolpert-Gawron
6/18/09Yes, there are many problems in education. But many of them boil down to the fact that we are a cadre of professionals who are often taken advantage of as part of the job requirement.
Spring Cleaning Your Classroom
By Heather Wolpert-Gawron
6/2/09There's been so much talk lately of education reform, but we neglect to discuss just how powerful a simple makeover can be.
Five Ways to Enrich Your Teaching Life
By Heather Wolpert-Gawron
5/14/09We, as teachers, can't do a lot about many of the factors that have a huge influence on student success, such as parental involvement, health care, and funding. But there are a few steps we as educators can make in protecting our professional reputation, advancing student achievement, and making our day-to-day lives a little less challenging.
