Category Archives: Miscellaneous

Quotes from Students

It’s almost the end of the toughest school year in the career of every teacher I know, including myself. As a present to myself, I made this slide show out of appreciative quotes from my students throughout the year.  +10

Posted in Challenges & Frustrations, Miscellaneous, Philosophy | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Thank You for Being You

Dear students, Thank you for being you! I appreciate each and every one of you for being the awesome people that you are. +10

Posted in Miscellaneous | Tagged | Leave a comment

You’re Doing Well…We Need to Talk

One of my students who struggles with executive function and time management came by after school to drop off a bunch of missing assignments and to get a list of what she still needs to finish by the end of … Continue reading

Posted in Miscellaneous | Tagged | Leave a comment

Thoughts are Free; Actions Have a Cost

As a teacher, I am entrusted with your children, no matter who they are or what they’re like.  Every teacher has students we like and students we don’t particularly like; teachers who say otherwise are most likely not being honest with … Continue reading

Posted in Miscellaneous, Philosophy | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Shouts of Silence

A common discussion among educators is about the student who acts out in class, reminding us that there are always reasons.  Maybe this student suffers abuse or neglect at home.  Maybe a close family member has had a major health episode … Continue reading

Posted in Miscellaneous, Philosophy | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Time Commitments

In 2007 when I taught in Belmont (one of the wealthier suburbs of Boston), I observed that a significant number of my students expressed stress about their time commitments. I devised a survey +4-1

Posted in Miscellaneous | Tagged | Leave a comment

Music Appreciation

I’m the son of a piano teacher who made it her life’s work to build children’s self-image and give them the tools to have wonderful lives, using piano as the medium. Much of what makes me a popular (and effective) … Continue reading

Posted in Miscellaneous | Tagged | Leave a comment

Nerds as Heroes

I’m a nerd.  I’m proud of it.  I even have two “Nerd Pride” pocket protectors from MIT (different designs) to provide as evidence.  Because I’m a nerd, friends, co-workers, students, and acquaintances like to ask me what I think of … Continue reading

Posted in Miscellaneous | Tagged | Leave a comment

Teacher Crushes

Teacher crushes are a common occurrence.  Even if you’ve never had one yourself, you don’t have to ask many people before you find someone who has had a crush on a teacher.  And yet, it’s a subject that almost everyone … Continue reading

Posted in Miscellaneous, Philosophy | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Gratitude

All of my students (except for two juniors) at Lynn English High School graduated today.  Of course I’m proud of them.  But more than that, I’m happy for them—happy for the doors that have opened for them and all the … Continue reading

Posted in Miscellaneous | Tagged | 1 Comment