Posted 7:45 PM by Dee Tremens
My wife just asked me when we are going to baptize "mi nina," but since it is still Friday, my mind continues to be on English teacher mode. I do not know how to answer now; my mind has been all week on "explicit direct instruction" and thank god for a little diversion-- creating this blog.

I received a little warning this week, besides my wife's complaints about working too much. I found out our principal had a "minor stroke." Teachers are known for poor health, being overmedicated, but of course we are accused on not taking our job seriously. Why am I going with this thought?

The horror! The horror! Nightmares about being naked in class; arriving late to class; being yelled at by the principals; stabbed by a student in recovery.

Am I being overly dramatic? Do we really know what teaching is about? Do teachers actually take their jobs too seriously and worry too much? What studies focus on overly worrisome teachers? I have heard of no such research.

Yet, if education is going to continue to improve, and test scores need to keep going up, think about the person who makes the biggest difference in the lives of the students. No, not the superintendent.