Somewhere between The Louvre and Jardin des Tuileries, I asked my husband to stop and grab us both some lunch from a food truck within the park. I would be sitting and waiting for him at the perfect spot for a picnic in Paris. We had just spent the better part of our day touring priceless works of art. My favorite was the sculpture room filled with Greek gods and goddesses that I had just Continue Reading
If I save enough bacon, cheddar, and dough, I may have enough for a pizza (TTT)
"You will not believe Coach Smith's room," a former student ran enthusiastically into my classroom to share the news. Coach Smith had been pranked. It wasn't just any prank; in fact, it was the most elaborate prank I had ever seen successfully executed inside the walls of Chamblee Charter High School. Only, this time the students weren't the guilty party. Now, I am not one to suggest that Continue Reading
Teacher time-savers
When I got my own classroom, I had just gotten a new name. I was worried that hearing "Mrs. Carrington" may be a bit foreign to me in the new school year. I had a fear that every time one of my students would ask me a question, I would look behind me for my mother-in-law. Those fears were quickly put to bed within the first few days of being in front of fourteen and fifteen year old students. Continue Reading
Don’t Flip…flip (TTT)
When I arrived at Martin Luther King Junior High School in the fall of 2010, there seemed to be a hamster wheel churning in my stomach. I could not wait to get inside the classroom. I had been reading about pedagogy, and even directed a small group of students during the summer at a literacy camp. I had read all that I needed in order to succeed. I remember thinking, "I've got Continue Reading
When the district hands you lemons, stop dancing with them (TTT)
I have never been more eager to learn than during my time as a student teacher. Everything was new. Every word that my mentor teacher spoke was an opportunity for me to learn something new. Like a little puppy, I waited and wagged my tail at any opportunity to jump into my new role as teacher. Any time I was given a chance to lead a lesson, I ran unbridled into this new world of Continue Reading
Two-Cent Teacher Tuesday: 504 is not a cleaning product (empowerment v. entitlement)
It is no secret that I believe time in the classroom is a teacher's greatest asset. As a first year teacher, I was not at all prepared for the fine art of parent-teacher communication. I thought I was. After all, I had a beautiful website that I spent hours creating. I had all of my lesson plans posted and attempted to get each of my rubrics online for my students and Continue Reading
A Shorts Story
You may have seen this article about a Quebec teen protesting the dress code.Her argument for her impertinence: "Don’t humiliate her because she is wearing shorts. It’s hot outside. Instead of shaming girls for their bodies, teach boys that girls are not sexual objects."I teach fourteen and fifteen year old boys. I also teach fourteen and fifteen year old girls. I can say with certainty that Continue Reading
Reading the summer and summer reading…(TTT)
Ahh...the time is upon us teachers. The most blessed of all times of year: summertime. Eight to ten weeks of summer sun and fun. The Carringtons kicked off this summer with three days of pool time and friends. Here is a little snapshot from the weekend.Just a couple of girls with their favorite boys (and yes...they match)As I read the future of the summer, it looks very Continue Reading
Five signs that you have end-of-the-year teacher burnout (EOTYTB)…(TTT)
After a jam packed weekend at the beach, Bennett and I spent the majority of the day in our pajamas. Both of us were completely wiped as he napped and I attempted to keep a sore throat and flu-like aches at bay. As I scrolled through my Facebook newsfeed, I noticed quite a few celebratory status updates from my colleagues. Five days left of school and then the weeks that every teacher dreams Continue Reading
I choose “C” (Two-Cent Teacher Tuesdays)
I have decided that "Teacher Tips" Tuesday is an incredibly presumptuous title for what I was attempting to accomplish on my little blog. I am new to education; I don't pretend to know it all, but I will assert that I have learned a few things in my short years of experience. I love what I do; I am not a passive participant in education. I try to re-invent what I do each year so Continue Reading