June 2011

His second grade teacher told me his MAP scores didn’t even meet the 1st grade benchmark as he was entering my 3rd grade classroom. She told me that he was a troublemaker. He was a referral waiting to happen. “Good luck” was her only advice. I understand benchmarks and the way that they offer a […]

In my end of the year faculty review, my principal asked me how I felt my year had been. I explained the successes and frustrations of teaching a new grade level and a new subject. Then, I explained that personally I had lost a 3-year relationship, my family had lost its business and I had

I am finally beginning to recover from the end of the year hectic schedule that is a part of every teacher’s life. In most schools you will find a similar schedule of events to wrap up the school year: standardized testing and award ceremonies. Since my first year of teaching, I have always had a

It’s technically summer break. Time for relaxing by the pool, going to the beach, sleeping in…so why am I still waking up at 3:00am with lesson plan ideas and resources for units? It’s teaching isn’t something you can turn off. Teaching isn’t a job; teacher is an unshakeable identity that follows you to the grocery

I get accused of talking fast in my classes. My students often say, “Ms. Neely, stop, wait, slow down.” My response is always, “I can’t slow down. There’s too much to learn and too little time!” I’m a passionate person and I have very clear vision of what my role and purpose on this spinning