- Using Art to Teach Students About the Beatitudes
- For Those Who Disagree with Standardized Testing
- Science Project: Ecosystems
- Using A Thesaurus
- Literature Circle Rubric
- If You Build it They will....Work Together
- Math Lesson Plans on Subtraction: Breaking it Down
- Subtraction Strategies Simplified: Subtraction by Addition
- The Writer's Workshop
- Modeling Reading Responses
About Me
I have degrees in Elementary Education and Developmental Reading from the College of Saint Rose and SUNY Albany, respectively. I hold certifications in Elementary Education and Mathematics 7-12. I have numerous publications in local and regional magazines and papers and have published a funny and fast paced book for intermediate readers, Racing the Rope. I have been teaching in public and private sectors for eleven years and I'm currently teaching fifth grade at Saint Helen's School in Niskayuna, New York. You can visit me at Saint Helen's School at www.sainthelens.net or drop by my website to preview my book at www.racingtherope.com
I have two young children that attend Saint Helen's School and I'll have the priviledge this year of teaching my own daughter in the fifth grade. That should be interesting!
My Awards & Certifications
As stated, I have certifications in mathematics and elementary education. I won first place in jbwb's short story competition for my comic piece, Twelve Angry Donuts. In 2007 I was selected by my local News Channel as one of the regions top educators in 2007. Go figure, I ignore the politics and the status quo in my daily classroom practice and I get an award.
My Experience
My experiences include full time teaching at every grade level from first through eighth grade. I have experience in private and public sectors and in urban, rural and suburban areas. I also teach mathematics to adults in evening adult education programs in Troy.
I am a proud and passionate humanist with strong leanings toward progressive educational reform. I have read numerous books on progressive education reform with special acknowledgement to author Alfie Kohn. I enjoy creating a classroom environment with character education at the core and with a disregard to competitive structuring in favor of cooperative learning techniques.
I have recently started my own social and academic summer program business for school aged children. TSL Adventures LLC takes my arts and education program, operating for two years now, and moves forward indpendently at two sites in Latham and Troy New York. If you have kids in the area..... www.tsladventures.net will give you all the details.
My Latest Articles
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The Case For the No Homework Policy
The issue of too little or too much homework at the elementary level can be completely avoided if teachers simply stop giving homework altogether. Intrigued by this concept? Learn what a homework-free classroom could do for you and your students.Published on November 17, 2011 to K-12 Learning
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The Crystal Ball: Fulfilling Your Dreams
This activity helps children realize that in order to fulfill their dreams and goals they must have self discipline.Published on July 6, 2011 to K-12 Learning
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The Beauty of Being You
This is a lesson teachers can use to help develop self-esteem within their classroom communities.Published on July 6, 2011 to K-12 Learning
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