During the Tennessee Council of Teachers of English conference a couple of weeks ago, I was walking around the spacious grounds of the event between sessions when I did something regretful and then noticed something...

It is difficult for me to look at an autumn leaf and not think about Greek mythology. There is an undeniable connection between the rich reds, auburns, ambers, and crimsons of fall and the ancient gods and goddesses....

When I talk to colleagues about being a “connected” educator, the first response is often “I don’t have time!” followed by “Why? What’s in it for me?” I can relate....

On a walk in my neighborhood, I passed by a relatively uneventful river birch standing near the sidewalk in the sunshine. I almost looked the other way when I spotted an interesting relationship happening in the...

We know we have the best job on earth: reaching and inspiring the minds and hearts of today’s youth, shaping the future with each young mind we educate. Yet, we all have days when we feel the tremendous pressure...

When I was young, my mother often asked me, "What are the big rocks in your life?" Before I could answer, she would lovingly pat my back or squeeze my hand and remind me to take my time and answer only after deep...

As I become energized for the new school year, I find myself evaluating middle level practices in our district and across our state. And, although I have read AMLE’s groundbreaking publication This We Believe...

While helping stimulate the economy one manicure-pedicure at a time, I was surprised at the salon cashier’s reaction to my response to the typical question, “What do you do?” The cashier,...

Can you imagine teaching middle grades students for more than four decades? As a middle school principal, I had the opportunity to work with just such a teacher. Barry Krizan taught three generations of our...

Whenever I tell people I'm a teacher, their response is respectful but often tempered with some comment that indicates that perhaps I was not intelligent enough to get a real job. When I add that I teach seventh...