Avenue4Learning

Want to know why I teach? Read the next few paragraphs and try to imagine the scene.
Today during my Kindergarten and 1st grade music classes, we were singing songs about animals and the sounds they make when they wake up in the morning. I have large cards with pictures of the animals, and there is [...]

Recently, I overheard some educators discussing personal websites, Facebook, Twitter, and blogs. Although I wasn’t a part of this conversation, I couldn’t help but hear what they were saying (okay, I was eavesdropping).
The most disappointing part of what I heard was this statement: “Oh, who has time for all of that garbage?!?! All those things [...]

Leadership is stretching yourself and allowing others to grow. It is pushing yourself to continually learn more and step outside of your comfort zone. (cc licensed photo by http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikebaird/2910365807/)

Leadership is not accepting the status quo, and sometimes taking some heat for that. Sometimes, standing up for what is right entails taking risks. (cc licensed photo [...]

Numerous times throughout my teaching career, I have had students ask me something along the lines of… “Why are we talking about science/English/social studies stuff in here? This is MUSIC class.” I almost always respond, “No, this is a LEARNING class. Besides, it’s all connected anyway, right?”
Why anyone decided that it would be best to [...]

A year ago last January, I wrote a post on “Balanced Connections.” At the time, there were a lot of people talking about how our children don’t spend enough time away from the computer or TV or video games. I’m one that definitely agrees kids need to have some offline time.

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I am a teacher. By choice. Why? Because I love learning more than little kids love candy… and helping others learn makes me incredibly happy.
Too altruistic? Too sappy? Sorry, but it’s the truth, and it’s been that way since I was in 2nd grade. At the age of 8, I knew I wanted to [...]

I started to write this post while I was attending ISTE 10, but wanted a little more time to think and reflect before finishing the final draft.
In several sessions, both formal and informal, there was discussion about how to participate in discussions at ISTE. Some people felt compelled to join the discussion instantly. Others hung [...]

I’m still pondering the next few posts I’ll write about my experiences at ISTE 2010. Right now, however, I’m simply a little sad. It’s difficult to say goodbye (for now) to old friends and new friends… but I believe that the most difficult part of leaving a conference like ISTE is heading back to reality.
Let [...]

This evening, I found myself stepping outside of what I consider to be my professional demeanor. I sat with a group of people I respect and watched a speaker lose control of what he was saying because of how he presented it. He lost his audience, and his audience did not give him the respect [...]

When I changed jobs last August, I thought I would be such a happy little blogger, documenting my new change, all the new challenges, and the daily reflections of returning to the classroom. 
That obviously didn’t happen. I forgot what it was like to move into a new job– all that time it takes to really [...]