Just Read It
Classroomchatblog
by Abby
5M ago
A few weeks ago, I had what Oprah calls an “A-ha” moment. I’d been feeling overwhelmed this year with all of the “must-do’s” I’m being told to implement in my classroom this year. I don’t know about you, but when too much is put on my plate as a teacher, I tend to just shut my classroom door and do what I know works. After all, I went to school (and in debt!) to be an educator. I am a professional. I know what I’m doing and sometimes, the best teaching comes from doing what you know is right for your students. One thing that has always perplexed me is the lack of time allotted in ELA classroom ..read more
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A New Season
Classroomchatblog
by Abby
5M ago
As the weather changes and the holidays approach, we find ourselves getting out the sweaters and sweat pants and packing away the swimsuits and tank tops. We are constantly adapting with the seasons and most of us tend to accept the change and continue doing what we’ve always done. The older I get, the less I like change. I guess it’s the stability that gives me a sense of comfort. However, with age, comes wisdom, right? In my teaching career, I’ve gone through many “seasons.” I started off as a classroom teacher, then was a reading specialist before going back to being a teacher, then an inst ..read more
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Why you shouldn’t leave teaching
Classroomchatblog
by Abby
1y ago
Do a quick Google search or turn on the news and you’re likely to encounter reporting on teacher shortages. It’s a Nationwide issue and it’s not going away anytime soon. There are a myriad of reasons why teachers are leaving the profession – everything from student behaviors, lack of support, low pay – plus many more issues, it’s a wonder I’m writing trying to convince teachers to stay! But I am. Because believe it or not, your job matters. Now I know everyone’s situation is different and I am not here to tell you to suck it up if your situation is toxic. However, there are a few things to con ..read more
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Grading Student Writing – An Informal Guide to Making Time
Classroomchatblog
by Abby
1y ago
Perhaps one of the hardest things about going back to being a classroom teacher is the endless amount of grading. Students expect instant feedback and while my goal is to grade assignments as swiftly as possible, things oftentimes pile up, making feedback less timely and meaningful. I know teachers who are extremely efficient graders and I sometimes envy them for sitting down and grading 130+ essays in one sitting. I am not that teacher, no matter how diligently I try! In my years of teaching/leading, I’ve learned a few things about time management, one being that I should not feel guilty for ..read more
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Back in the Classroom
Classroomchatblog
by Abby
1y ago
It’s been a minute since my last post and I’m not apologizing for it because a lot has changed in the past few months. In the span of two months, I moved to North Carolina, got two new dogs, bought a car, sold a house and started a new job. Needless to say, it’s been non-stop, but in a good way. While my life has changed drastically in the past year, one of the most significant changes is my move from administration back to classroom teacher. Many people have asked me why I would trade in a six-figure salary and my title to go back to the classroom. My answer is simple: It’s where I belong. On ..read more
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Ms. Baker’s Middle Grade/YA Book Recs
Classroomchatblog
by Abby
1y ago
Growing up, I had a “library” in my closet, organized by series. Nancy Drew, Laura Ingles Wilder, the Sweet Valley High twins and anything R.L. Stine were just a few of the titles I obsessed about. I remember whenever my mom would announce she was “Going to the BIG mall,” (BIG meaning more than 5 stores and a 30 minute drive), I would plead to tag along and then spend most of the trip browsing the stacks of Waldenbooks. As an ELA teacher, my love of reading middle grade and YA novels is still intact to this day. In my classroom, I love having a library even if there is a media center in the sc ..read more
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Advice For New Teachers, Part I
Classroomchatblog
by Abby
1y ago
As I plan to head back into the classroom later this summer after a four year hiatus, (yes, you read that right, summer; I will be teaching at a year-round school…more on this in a later post), my mind is swimming with things I need to do. However stressful gearing up for a new school year is, perhaps the most stressful part is knowing what to give brain power to and what to let go. Even as a veteran teacher, I find myself worrying about the smallest things (i.e. having nightmares about bulletin boards). However, while there are many PD’s to attend and classrooms to set up, this doesn’t need t ..read more
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Seasons Change
Classroomchatblog
by Abby
1y ago
I’ve somewhat abandoned this blog for the past few years, mostly because I was a school administrator and no longer in the classroom every day. But also, because I was a school administrator during the Pandemic. (If you know, you know, right?!) These past few years have been tough on everyone involved in schools – parents, students, teachers, admin, cleaning staff, etc. It has been NO JOKE! I’ve learned so much from my colleagues and I’d be happy if I never saw a screenshot of a middle school group chat ever again! Despite all of the triumphs (holding in person school!) and tribulations (holdi ..read more
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Virtual Engagement
Classroomchatblog
by Abby
1y ago
It’s been two months since the world has shifted to a mostly virtual environment. I compare my current situation to mile 18 in a marathon – you are exhausted, everything hurts and you just want it to be over. I’m sure I’m not alone in saying that Zoom fatigue is a real thing that many of us are experiencing. I even ordered glasses with a blue tint hoping it would alleviate my nightly headaches (Side Note: They do!) My entire body hurts from sitting at a desk all day, despite my newly purchased over-priced office chair. Like many, I’m over this quarantine and ready to resume my pre-quarantine l ..read more
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Communication
Classroomchatblog
by Abby
1y ago
In a recent faculty Zoom meeting, we asked staff to write something they are most proud of and one thing they wish they could change about our school. While teachers have a myriad of amazing things to say about our school (teacher collaboration, positive staff vibe, etc.), many staff members stated communication as something they would change. In almost all surveys and formal/informal conversations with staff, communication always comes up as an area of improvement. As school leaders, we strive to communicate with staff effectively without being overly-communicative (i.e. crowding inboxes with ..read more
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