Thursday, March 12: When I woke up Thursday morning, I decided to self-isolate. I woke up with a heaviness in my chest, like someone was sitting on it. I also had a sore throat and a dry cough. I checked my temperature and it was normal. I have not been overseas and have not knowinglyContinue reading “One of many stories”
Category Archives: Pauline’s Soap Box
A book for everyone
I’ve been rereading Uncommon Core in preparation for planning out my next book, and I have to tell you, it’s giving me the feels. I’ve cried through every chapter, remembering the connection I had with my students and the lessons we learned from each other. In some ways, it’s a hard book to market becauseContinue reading “A book for everyone”
What if…
Some thoughts to consider for the new year. What if we stopped expecting schools to protect our children from the world and started teaching our children to be better for the world? What if we stopped removing obstacles from our children’s paths and let them experience the strength that comes from overcoming them? What ifContinue reading “What if…”
Questions about my Animal Farm Social Experiment
It’s interesting how many teachers email me about a post I wrote six years ago, Animal Farm Lessons. People can read it at HuffPost or in my book Uncommon Core, so it’s easy to find it if they are looking for lesson plans for Animal Farm. Today, I spent some time answering these questions: 1.Continue reading “Questions about my Animal Farm Social Experiment”
Truth and Consequence
If, like me, you are a sexual assault survivor, you are struggling right now. Dr. Ford’s testimony was more than one woman’s story; it was a testament to what so many women have experienced and hidden for most of their lives. I have similar stories in my life—so many traumatic stories that when the movementContinue reading “Truth and Consequence”
Choose to be Teachers and Students
My daughter and son-in-law asked me to speak at their wedding. I was honored but also hesitant–what could I, of all people in their lives, say about marriage? The only thing I know without a doubt. With their permission, here’s my speech: As we gather to celebrate your journey together, I want to share withContinue reading “Choose to be Teachers and Students”
The Top 12 Global Teacher Blogger Discussion: February 2017
How do we teach young people the rigorous critical thinking and research skills to distinguish news from propaganda? How do we ensure the next generation is one which communicates civically, values honesty, and recognizes reality? First, we have to have courses for young people to take that are centered on critical thinking. Most college campusesContinue reading “The Top 12 Global Teacher Blogger Discussion: February 2017”
TED Talk from Sharon Brous: It’s time to reclaim and reinvent religion
Sharon Brous powerful TED Talk is a great part of the global conversation that needs to happen to heal the brokenness in our world. It fits perfectly with my message of optimistic realism. You can watch her video and/or read some of the highlights below. 4 Principles of Religion Wakefulness. Our world is onContinue reading “TED Talk from Sharon Brous: It’s time to reclaim and reinvent religion”
Guest Blogger: Letter to Millennials
As a college writing teacher, I have the pleasure of helping my students discover their writing voice and their passions in life. Every once and a while I will read an essay that I need to post on my blog because it lines up with my goals, which is to help people find their own healthyContinue reading “Guest Blogger: Letter to Millennials”
The Problem with Choice
I know too many people who are not educators (and some who are) that are in favor of the choice movement in education. The biggest reason people want choice is to improve the education for their own children and then create competition so that other schools will be forced to improve or shut down. Unfortunately,Continue reading “The Problem with Choice”
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