For most teachers, the last days of school are a frantic sprint of classroom tidying, teary goodbyes, and messy end-of-year parties. Teachers are usually too tired or too excited or too busy to take time for reflection. I get it; you really do have to track down that missing library book and account for all your curricular resources.

But when the dust settles and you’ve checked all the boxes on your classroom close-up list, carve out a few hours to systematically reflect before you...

Students spend hours studying reading, math, science, and social studies. When they get to high school, they study geometry, physics, trigonometry. While I believe there's value in all subjects and disciplines, I do question our use of time in classrooms when it comes to curriculum and the preparation of productive members of society.

In other words, are we wasting time?

Is there another way to prepare young people to be successful?

I base these questions on the idea...

Mentoring a student teacher (often known as a teacher candidate) can be a truly rewarding experience. Helping someone enter the teaching profession and preparing them for that role is an incredibly important role.

If you are considering hosting a teaching intern, there are many considerations.  As a university supervisor, who has worked with many mentor teachers, I’d like to offer the following advice:

            Know Your Purpose

Consider the reasons why you want to...