I've seen some great "open letters" in the last few months from Iowans, whether it was from a UNI professor blowing up some alternative facts laid out there by Republicans, or teacher's letter to Senator Grassley about why Betsy DeVos... Continue Reading →
Darin Johnston@AnIowaTeacher Between #BetsyDeVos & the panel voting to approve her, #ialegis looking at a 1.1% funding for #iaedfuture, & now the SCOTUS pick, I'm tired. This was my tweet on January 31. Today, February 7, my Iowa Senators, Charles... Continue Reading →
My wife is an amazing woman. Beautiful, smart, has raised two strong daughters, can cook anything, and takes zero crap from me! Right now, she's reading Creative Curriculum, a preschool curriculum that Head Start is using. She came across this gem... Continue Reading →
It's that time of the year again, to find that one little word to which a year's worth of growth, activity, and reflection can be shared with. Last year, my word was "be", and as I reflected on last year,... Continue Reading →
Somedays, the stars just align for our discussions. We have what's called out our "Kid of Character" award each month. We recognized those students who do the right thing, who work through hard times. Our principal talked with us about... Continue Reading →
There are days where I cannot keep from being just flat out disappointed in our profession as a whole. Most days, I see the good in just about everything we do. We are doing good work with our standard. I... Continue Reading →
That's been the mantra of my eighth graders the last couple of days during reading/language arts class. We started The Light in the Forest and the first time we did a little writing activity, the cry went up: Why can't we just... Continue Reading →
Time. I wish I had more. #saideveryteacherever I say that, but I'm the king of frittering away time. I feel like my adult A.D.D. it always in charge because there are always more jobs than the amount of time that... Continue Reading →
Yup, I'm that teacher. The kids know, if they have their phones out doing something they've not asked to do, I'll take that phone away. But, not only will I take it, but they can expect their phones to be... Continue Reading →
The Life of a Conflicted Teacher 