Author Archives: Mike

An Overwhelming Question

The Overwhelming Question that hangs heavy over every thoughtful teacher as he nears the end of his career is “Have I made a difference?” And then the tense changes and the question becomes “Did I make a difference?” The answer … Continue reading

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Study: Once-a-year teacher evaluations not enough

So says the head of an article in the January 6 Idaho Statesman. I deplore much of what is said about us in the media, but to my surprise I found myself agreeing with most points in this article and … Continue reading

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First Person Plural, Present Tense

I seem to be having a grammar problem. Or perhaps it is an identity problem. I keep lapsing into first person plural as if I were part of the NHS Language Arts department, as I was for some 28 years. … Continue reading

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Teachers as Brain-Changers

A colleague at another school (there I go in the present tense again) recently sent me this link: http://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2011/12/20/tln_pillars.html?tkn=MNWFw6Gc56MQLTP7CTsnFgg1v329SIPC4r3o&cmp=clp-sb-ascd By the time I retired, “brain science” had become the big thing. Every one, visiting mavens and administrators alike do obeisance … Continue reading

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Reading Notes

When I was in college, I was not a good note-taker. My notes were by no means thorough, nor did I make good use of them, so I am probably not a credible authority on the matter. I am still … Continue reading

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R. I. P. National Board Certification in Idaho

The 12/23/2011 Idaho Statesman reports that as a result of legislation passed in the 2010 session, Idaho will discontinue funding the stipend ($2000/year for 5 years) that is paid to teachers who receive National Board Certification, having completed all of … Continue reading

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Trains

I recently made my annual round-trip to Rochester, Minnesota. When we were still teaching, we always flew – well, most of the way, once we learned that the 100 mile hop from the Twin Cities to Rochester by air cost … Continue reading

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K12 and the Corporatization of American Education

As a footnote to Lee Fang’s article in The Nation, an article in The Idaho Statesman, December 6, 2011, focuses specifically on K12, one of the major players in the virtual education industry. K12 is of particular interest in Idaho … Continue reading

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K12 and Tom Luna

Lee Fang, writing in The Nation, outlines “how online learning companies bought America’s schools.”  Closer to home, Dan Popkey’s December 6 Statesman article, “K12’s money hasn’t influenced Idaho schools chief Luna, spokeswoman says,” explores in more detail K12, one of … Continue reading

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Virtual Schools and the Corporatization of American Education

If it seems that School Reform has become the darling of Big Business and Big Business-friendly Politicians, there are reasons for that, and they have nothing to do with what kids learn, and a great deal to do with money. … Continue reading

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