Welcome to my own little sounding board!
I’m a married 50-something dad of two just trying to figure my way around here. My teaching career has taken me from Minnesota (college/substitute teaching) to Alaska (one year of sixth grade/high school world and US history/varsity girls basketball coach) then Missouri (one year of substitute teaching and three years of teaching fifth grade) and finally Iowa (twenty-four years teaching fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth graders/middle school girls basketball coach in one district and currently, my second year teaching and coaching in a neighboring district). I’ve taught all levels K-12 at some point or another, and find that the middle grades are my “home”. Yes, apparently I’m a glutton for punishment if you know middle school students, but yet, I truly enjoy teaching them.
Now, if you’ve found the answers to teaching, parenting, or life, please, let me know! I love to hear your thoughts and ideas on my ramblings. This is my place just to let some of that busyness in my head flow through, so enjoy!
The Life of a Conflicted Teacher 
March 17, 2012 at 8:00 am
I share your ‘conflicted, busyness in my head” feeling and enjoy reading your thoughts and reflections. Thanks for ‘thinking out loud’ and letting others also reflect upon the postings!
October 11, 2012 at 9:13 pm
Sounds like we have many similarities! Middle school is a great place to be, but it’s not for everyone! ! Thanks for the follow! Looking forward to reading your blog.
October 12, 2012 at 8:00 am
🙂 I work hard to surround myself with people who are positive, passionate, and a little bit crazy. It’s too hard to people around people who aren’t this way. And I agree, middle school is a great place to be!
Enjoy your day and thank you for your follow as well! I’ve been reading your posts this morning and enjoying your photos!
May 25, 2015 at 12:54 pm
Hey Darin,
Hope you’re having a great day!
I’m doing an expert roundup on my site and I think many new Math teachers using education technology products in their classroom like me would love to know your answer to this question :
If you could only use 3 Education technology tools/apps/sites for your teaching which 3 tools would you choose? e.g. WolframAlpha, KhanAcademy and Inside Mathematics.
Thanks in advance!
As soon as I’m done compiling the results, I would inform and link back to your blog.
Thank you!
Ishan
May 28, 2015 at 3:52 pm
Please email at iateacher(at)hotmail(dot)com and I would be happy to answer any questions you may have! Thanks!
June 1, 2016 at 6:46 am
Middle school, shudder! but that’s what most people say about what I do – teaching high school in a struggling urban area. I look forward to seeing if your conflicts with the profession are similar to mine.
July 16, 2016 at 8:15 pm
We enjoy your blog. Great and very insightful posts.
Wish you the best and happy blogging