Down Under

One of the greatest gifts is being able to see people grow. Recently, I have been reflecting and wondering if this is the very heart of what my life’s work should be about. From friendships and families, to the classroom, to motherhood, to the school level and then district level, I feel a pull to…

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I Have a Dream

I have a dream that one day I will get my basement bathroom renovated.  It’s a simple dream.  I know I need time and money and a professional who can replace fixtures and build me a cute little closet for some towels. Nothing fancy, but Pinterest does have some really adorable ideas… The issue with…

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Teaching Math is Not for the Faint Hearted

From the desk of Laney… Teaching math is not for the faint hearted! It is a complex task that requires deep mathematical content knowledge, a toolbox of instructional strategies, and the ability to create a culture of learning that encourages sometimes math averse students to venture into the discipline with an open mind. While I…

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Where Have All the School Mamas Gone?

If you work in a school, at one time or another you have had a School Mama. You know exactly who they are. You can probably picture one right now. School Mamas come in all sizes, shapes, colors, and are in every school. They are the ones who are wise, give you tips on how to…

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Just One Resolution

About 25 years ago, I was a disillusioned teacher. I spent my days dealing with students who did not appear to care or appreciate anything I was bringing to the classroom, and I spent my nights dreading going to work the next day.   For some of my instructional day, I hated the content I was…

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Don’t Ask

What did you get for Christmas? Did you have a good break? You may think this is polite chatter for your students as everyone falls back into the routine of school. These are normal questions that we all ask without thinking. We’re excited to see the kids and genuinely interested in how they spent their time. They are the…

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