Making Every Minute Count!

Do you ever just sit back and wonder why we do what we do? Why do we teach? Why do we invest so much of our heart into our profession, when it can feel like there are more lows at times than highs? Why, why, why do we do what we do and then keep coming back for more? I'm know there's a hugely profound answer for this for each of us and for me, it changes all the time. The fact of the matter is, I still keep coming back. I love what I do and want to get better and better at it. My classroom, my kids, and my profession are never far from my thoughts. If you're reading this now, it's July. Why are we thinking about school in July!?!?! Because that's who we are and what we do. I have no other explanation for it. Welcome to my crazy. 

I’ve studied the theory at Ohio State University and Lesley University and have immersed myself in the work of the experts in education. I’ve trained and coached countless teachers and have provided professional development to numerous groups. I’m a teacher, reading specialist, literacy coach, and author.

The most difficult part of the profession that I love is understanding the theory AND making it practical in the classroom. Teachers work hard and create small miracles in children’s lives on a daily basis, but many are at a breaking point. Too many initiatives, too many new programs, and too many unrealistic expectations are placed on teachers everyday, every year.

As a literacy leader, trying to weed out the bad from the good, my head was spinning! I would hear the same question over and over again.  This sounds great, but…

“What does this really look like in a classroom with real kids?” 

“Students are not developmentally ready for the rigor and expectations

that 21st century learning calls for.”

“I’ll wait until this goes away. Until then, I’ll do what I want.”

After several years of hearing comments such as these, I felt I needed to gain a better understanding of how drastically the landscape of teaching and learning had changed. I needed to do my own action research, right where the rubber meets the road.  I needed to clear my head and get back to the business of kids. I needed to return to the classroom. Currently, I am teaching kindergarten…and yes, I have learned a lot! Hey, if kindergartners can do it, then imagine the possibilities for 1st grade, 2nd grade, and beyond! 

What was my biggest epiphany upon returning to the classroom? Kids are still amazing and once a fire for learning has been lit, it cannot be extinguished. When they feel good about what they are doing at school, children behave better. Given the opportunity and support for learning, most students will meet, if not surpass, grade level expectations. When I returned to the classroom with theory-backed, evidence-based instruction, the expectations that I set for myself and my students were quickly met, raised, and met again.

I have been very lucky to have been given the opportunity to learn, train, and be coached by the best of the best and this is where I feel I can now make a difference. I understand best practices in teaching and learning. I embed these practices in research-based theory and design instruction that works in REAL classrooms with REAL students.

I feel it is my duty to share my learning with you. I do think I have figured out a way to make teaching fun again. Of course, it's not all about fun, but I want to feel good about what I'm doing. When I feel good about what I'm doing, then professionally, I'm having fun. If I'm having fun, then I know my kids are going to be engaged, enthusiastic, and in love with learning.  This makes us unstoppable. 

I’m a regular teacher, just like you and if I can do it, so can you. I truly believe that “Teaching children will change their lives; inspiring children will change the world.” Please join me as we change the world one classroom at a time.  Click here to view my free video series and together, let’s make every minute count!