The students enrolled in EDUC 541: Teaching in a Culturally Diverse World, Math and Science Methods finished a successful teaching and learning project at Martin Luther King Elementary School in Santa Ana. CES students, working toward a Preliminary teaching credential, had the opportunity to apply pedagogical concepts and skills throughout a three-week after-school enrichment program
Common Core State Standards in Education The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) are making their way into education and districts across the nation at different speeds. While some districts are steeped in units of study and/or curriculum mapping, others are choosing to wait and proceed more slowly. With either approach, I believe it is important
I recently reviewed an analysis of suspension and expulsion data completed by Education Week. These data originated from the U.S. Department of Education, wherein they examined race trends. Some pretty savvy comments and questions were posted by readers. They questioned the “lumping” of numbers, the gender inequity, and the lack of profiling schools as charter
The reluctant leader We all take notice when a long, silent pause follows the big question, “What is Leadership?” The vastness of this question weighs heavily on us and we shy away from answering. The beauty of this question is leadership looks like many different things to different people. The round table discussion, “Developing the
What is pride? As a teacher, I have been proud of my students. This has occurred in many instances. Whether they faced their fear of public speaking, achieved a long-sought goal, or graduated from high school or college- a feeling overcomes me. I was proud when my son was admitted to college. I was proud
When I made the decision to become a teacher, I envisioned the potential impact I would have on the lives of my students. I hoped to make a difference in their lives. The image of a classroom engaged in interesting projects that lead to discovery excited me. I could picture the students investigating and exploring,
The month of December is always a festive time of year. Walk into any store and it is a holiday assault on the senses. Music, displays, food, and countless messages make it very clear. We live in a nation that is predominantly Christian. This fact has made it challenging to maintain the ideals put forth
Chapman is a place that brings people together. On December 2nd I had the honor of attending an informal dinner that encouraged cross-cultural collaboration with a group of teachers from Ensenada, Mexico. While the event was meant to provide us with the opportunity to dialogue about potential educational projects and research with this group of
A recent article in Education Week (Sawchuck, 2012) brings forth the issue of master teachers and their ability (or inability) to mentor student teachers. It tells of Summer Brewer’s first student-teaching experience, where the “master” teacher practiced the habit of worksheet marathons and desk sitting. According to Summer, the mentor spent most of her time
Thanksgiving. While I have many fond memories of my family traditions, I have also come to recognize the complexity of this holiday. Do we choose to celebrate after light has been shed on the more accurate events associated with the historic feast story? If we do, how do we reconcile the conflicting portrayal? Many of