I have trying in vain to write a coherent piece about some things that have me thinking. Failing that I am sharing some ramblings. In education we often find ourselves trying to wrap our heads around and carry out new mandates and policies. Just when we think we are getting things settled it is out with the old in with the new. In Massachusetts MCAS tests and frameworks are becoming PARCC and the Common Core, the old ELL trainings will…
I am a parent and educator and have been thinking a great deal lately about parental participation in schools. A parent is a child’s first educator, who remains their primary educator through out their life. I remember when I was a new classroom teacher I cringed when ever I would get a note in my mailbox asking me to call a parent. I used to wonder what now. But having been a parent for 16 years, and a paid educator…
I have been involved in formal schooling as a student and educator for about 40 years, so you would think I know the purpose and goal of education. But as I became connected to other educators and began investigating technology and the tools that support learning something began to change. I was consumed by learning. In fact I think I have learned more in the last few years of my informal (non-traditional) learning then I did in much of my…
My son started this year as a 6th grader in a charter middle school in my area, the same school my daughter attended. He came home from school the very first day saying “school was cool” a day later school “was awesome”. After an experiment in the parking lot shooting corks he exclaimed “science was awesomely wicked cool”. I asked why it was so terrific, “because we DO stuff mom!” said with a certain middle school attitude. He placed heavy…
My children will be starting school in a few weeks. They are both heading to new schools my son off to middle school and my daughter off to high school. They will not be attending their home district schools but will be attending public charters. I am very fortunate that my children had excellent options. Their home district is one of the best in the state and the charter schools are also excellent. I would be pleased if they attended…