Way back on MLK Day the kids learned about Martin Luther King Jr., his accomplishments, and studied his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. Then they made mobiles expressing their own dreams. Each mobile included students’ dreams for themselves, their school, family, and country. I recently took the mobiles off the bulletin board, but they are too interesting, inspiring, and moving to be forgotten. Their dreams for America are my favorite so I have put those first. Here are their dreams: Read the rest of this entry »

Usually the kids and I have a good time throughout the day, we smile, laugh, and for the most part enjoy a positive relationship. But, the comment of one student today made me stop in my tracks and laugh out loud. Read the rest of this entry »

Last week was a crazy week, not only because I have several projects in the works (career day, spirit week, and a week-long interdisciplinary unit) but because our lead teacher was out sick and put me in charge…YIKES! On Wednesday we took a field trip to the Indianapolis Children’s Museum without the lead teacher. Read the rest of this entry »

After a sick day spent reading teacher blogs, I decided that should try my hand at this. Here it goes…

I teach 7th and 8th grade social studies at a charter school in Indianapolis; our mission, in a nutshell, is to provide a middle class education for underprivileged students. We have a beautiful building (air conditioning!) and many resources (my classroom has a smart board!), but we also have a lot of very needy, troubled students (87% free & reduced lunch). Everyday is truly an adventure.

My husband and I moved to the Indy area when he took a job here. I left a position teaching sophomore, junior, and senior special ed. at an inner-city public high school. It was a huge change; thankfully my student population, aside from age, is relatively the same. I love teaching inner city kids. Some days I think I want to throw in the towel and teach in the suburbs, but deep down I know I would never be happy there. My students need me, and for some of them, the other teachers and I are the only thing they can depend on.

Since this is my first year teaching in my subject area, in many ways I am a first year teacher. This is where I will share successes and failures, fun stories, and my observations of the world of education. Enjoy!