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Basal Readers
The first McGuffey Reader was used. It was based on a phonics program. I have used basal readers during my years of teaching. -
Dick and Jane
Dick and Jane books were first published. These readers were the first of its kind to use the whole language, "look-say" approach. I remember reading copies of these as a child. -
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka
The Supreme Court Justices unanimously ruled that segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. Because of this decision, I am able to teach in the schools that I do. -
Bloom's Taxonomy
The Bloom's Taxonomy framework was published in 1956 and is still used today. It's made of 6 categories, leading teachers to instruct on multiple levels. As a teacher, I have been trained in this framework and have seen it over and over during my career. -
Title 1 Elementary and Secondary Education Act
This act was aimed towards students of poverty. Federal money is granted to schools that serve poverty stricken areas. One goal was to ensure equal access to education for all students. I am beginning my 17 year working in a Title 1 school. -
Kindergarten
I began my journey as a reader and a write. Mrs. Sallak was a gentle sole with many years of experience under her belt. She encouraged us to have creativity, all the while providing rigid structure. -
Cooperative Learning
Dr. Spencer Kagan published a book titled, "Cooperative Learning." I attended a conference in Disney World to learn about these cooperative learning strategies. It changed the way that I taught. I frequently use cooperative learning strategies in my reading lessons. They allow the students to move, interact with other students, and chunk their lessons. -
Old Yeller
In second grade, the school librarian read our class, "Old Yeller." Her voice was mesmerizing and I was transported into the book. Read alouds are amazing! -
Author
In sixth grade, our teacher gave us writing prompts. We each picked a story starter and finished the story. All of our stories were bound in a book, and the book was put in the school's library for everyone to see. A few years ago, my mom was contacted. The library was being cleaned out and someone saw my name in the said book. They called my mom to come and pick it up. -
Romantic Novels
As a teenager, I picked up a romantic novel from the hundreds that my grandmother collected. From this, I fell in love with reading. I loved reading about other people's lives, even if they are fictional characters. -
English Class
Twelfth grade English class with Mr. Conti was an amazing class. He was an enthusiastic, free-spirited teacher who loved his students. He encouraged us to write and was encouraging with his comments. -
Intro to Writing course in Undergrad
This helped me to fine tune my writing and push me farther than any other class had when it came to writing. I wrote a lot of personal narratives, which I still have today. -
No Child Left Behind
This act determined that the federal government needed to play a more significant role in holding schools accountable for the students' academic progress. A 100% proficiency rate was expected by 2013-2014, but this never happened. This effects me. I have been working in Title 1 schools for going on 17 years. Most of these years, I spent as a fourth grade classroom teacher. Therefore I was in a testing grade and continually felt the pressure of the End of Year testing. -
Writing test
I moved to North Carolina to teach 4th grade. Fourth grade required students to pass a writing test. The students had to write a narrative, either an imaginative narrative or a personal narrative. I was challenged, as a non-writer, to teach student how to write. First, I had to teach myself how to write a narrative by concentrating on just one moment in time. -
Model Literacy Classroom Teacher
I was chosen to be one of the first teachers in the district to become a Model Literacy Classroom teacher. We had to teach ourselves how to differentiate instruction, teach whole group, add mini-lessons for center activities, create the center activities, and teach small group. We were observed by a committee and voted on. Later, teachers that needed to see a lesson taught, would come and observe my classroom. -
Common Core
Common Core was created in order to get all of the students across the nation on the same track. It has been met with a lot of criticism and many states have opted out of using it the way that it was attended. I have a love hate relationship with Common Core. The theory behind it is good, especially when you live in a transient community. Some of the things that we are expected to teach are ridiculous and confusing for both adults and students alike. -
Multi Tier Support
MTSS focuses on the "whole" child, from academics, to behavior, absenteeism, emotional, and social needs. Last year, I was on the Advanced Tiers Committee. I was a Level 2 and 3 interventionist. One of the things that I worked on was creating reading centers in an emotional support classroom and monitoring the growth from the students. All but one student displayed growth over the 4 month span. -
Poetry
Messiah College partnered with my school, Marshall Math Science Academy in Harrisburg. They took my students on field trips and encouraged them to write poetry about what they learned. I was amazed by what was created. One 8th grade student in particular made me enjoy poetry for the first time. -
Penn State
In the summer of 2018, I went back to college after 16 years. I began my Literacy Education Masters. My first course 452 inspired me to bring writing back into my classroom. -
Differentiated Spelling
Richard Gentry is a guru when it comes to spelling and brain activities. I saw his name on a list of possible research that has influenced my journey as a teacher. I recognized his name. He is the uncle of one of my friends! So, I researched him and now I want his spelling program! Now how do I go about purchasing it?
