In the Middle tag:blogs.edweek.org,2011-06-29:/teachers/in_the_middle//43 2008-07-11T18:47:59Z A career changer and former high school teacher, Hanne Denney is starting a new position this fall as a special education teacher—and department chairperson—at Southern Middle School in Anne Arundel County, Md. In this opinion blog, she'll share her thoughts on middle school pedagogy, career change, and the teaching life. Movable Type Pro 5.2.7 The Education of a Teacher tag:blogs.edweek.org,2008:/teachers/in_the_middle//43.6253 2008-07-11T18:05:39Z 2008-07-11T18:47:59Z Direction: Write a six-word sentence, a mini-memoir, of your teacher life. Response: I'm always learning, can't help it. Teacher Magazine is asking teachers to participate in this project. If you haven't read the responses yet, you should. Read "The Short... Direction: Write a six-word sentence, a mini-memoir, of your teacher life. Response: I'm always learning, can't help it. Teacher Magazine is asking teachers to participate in this project. If you haven't read the responses yet, you should. Read "The Short... So what are you doing about it? tag:blogs.edweek.org,2008:/teachers/in_the_middle//43.6194 2008-07-06T11:18:56Z 2008-07-06T12:19:29Z I spent a year with middle school students. I taught an 8th grade science and social studies class first quarter then moved to a 7th grade language arts class. I also led a 6th grade advisory class all year. So... I spent a year with middle school students. I taught an 8th grade science and social studies class first quarter then moved to a 7th grade language arts class. I also led a 6th grade advisory class all year. So... Hearing Voices tag:blogs.edweek.org,2008:/teachers/in_the_middle//43.5592 2008-04-25T16:36:20Z 2008-04-25T16:44:23Z I hear so many voices every day. I hear students calling loudly to friends in the hall, and students whispering confidentially to me in class when they need help. I hear teachers complain and celebrate. I hear administrators express exhaustion,... I hear so many voices every day. I hear students calling loudly to friends in the hall, and students whispering confidentially to me in class when they need help. I hear teachers complain and celebrate. I hear administrators express exhaustion,... The Power of Written Language tag:blogs.edweek.org,2008:/teachers/in_the_middle//43.5210 2008-03-13T02:05:29Z 2008-03-13T02:38:43Z I'm sorry I haven't contributed anything worthwhile to the Teacher Blogs recently. All the immediate concerns of special education take up each day, and suddenly a couple of weeks have gone by and I haven't had time to step back... I'm sorry I haven't contributed anything worthwhile to the Teacher Blogs recently. All the immediate concerns of special education take up each day, and suddenly a couple of weeks have gone by and I haven't had time to step back... Best and Better tag:blogs.edweek.org,2008:/teachers/in_the_middle//43.4775 2008-01-24T09:37:09Z 2008-01-24T10:22:20Z I've been working with middle school students for five months now. We're at the end of the second quarter. It is evaluation time. As a classroom teacher I assess student academic progress and assign a grade. This is done with... I've been working with middle school students for five months now. We're at the end of the second quarter. It is evaluation time. As a classroom teacher I assess student academic progress and assign a grade. This is done with... The Teacher or the Self? tag:blogs.edweek.org,2007:/teachers/in_the_middle//43.4559 2007-12-31T13:21:53Z 2007-12-31T13:53:32Z New Year's is, of course, a time to reflect on Self. Formal resolutions aren't required, but time to look back and the willingness to look ahead are. Last year I wrote about using a notebook to keep track of all... New Year's is, of course, a time to reflect on Self. Formal resolutions aren't required, but time to look back and the willingness to look ahead are. Last year I wrote about using a notebook to keep track of all... Slumpish tag:blogs.edweek.org,2007:/teachers/in_the_middle//43.4445 2007-12-10T01:07:36Z 2007-12-10T01:16:08Z I have been sluggish recently. Like a slug, in a slump, for about the last month. I am slumpish. I think my mind is trying to go into hibernation. Each day has become a long list of to-do’s and meetings.... I have been sluggish recently. Like a slug, in a slump, for about the last month. I am slumpish. I think my mind is trying to go into hibernation. Each day has become a long list of to-do’s and meetings.... Blessings and Demons tag:blogs.edweek.org,2007:/teachers/in_the_middle//43.4300 2007-11-19T12:27:48Z 2007-11-19T12:30:00Z I had an unexpected blessing a couple of weeks ago. My home computer was broken. I shouldn’t use the passive tense – actually I tripped on the power cord and yanked it onto the floor. For some reason, it won’t... I had an unexpected blessing a couple of weeks ago. My home computer was broken. I shouldn’t use the passive tense – actually I tripped on the power cord and yanked it onto the floor. For some reason, it won’t... Spiral Pass tag:blogs.edweek.org,2007:/teachers/in_the_middle//43.4094 2007-10-29T09:08:28Z 2007-10-30T11:21:06Z The day after my last posting, I was asked to cover another teacher's class for 45 minutes. She was absent, and no substitute teacher was available. I agreed easily, because I am a team player. I actually like going into... The day after my last posting, I was asked to cover another teacher's class for 45 minutes. She was absent, and no substitute teacher was available. I agreed easily, because I am a team player. I actually like going into... The Pebble in the Pond tag:blogs.edweek.org,2007:/teachers/in_the_middle//43.4038 2007-10-24T09:09:31Z 2007-10-24T09:54:25Z The first quarter is almost over. The teachers now know which students are "problems" or "challenges" or "high-flyers" -- the ones who will need a lot of teacher time to handle attitude issues. One of our school administrators said to... The first quarter is almost over. The teachers now know which students are "problems" or "challenges" or "high-flyers" -- the ones who will need a lot of teacher time to handle attitude issues. One of our school administrators said to... Team Effort tag:blogs.edweek.org,2007:/teachers/in_the_middle//43.3893 2007-10-10T23:26:35Z 2007-10-10T23:50:17Z Today was a rare opportunity. The Special Education office for my district brought together all core academic department chairs for secondary education. The leaders of Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Language Arts- and Special Education -- spent the day talking about... Today was a rare opportunity. The Special Education office for my district brought together all core academic department chairs for secondary education. The leaders of Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Language Arts- and Special Education -- spent the day talking about... Steps to Learning tag:blogs.edweek.org,2007:/teachers/in_the_middle//43.3736 2007-09-30T23:37:15Z 2007-10-01T00:17:13Z I am still trying to figure out middle school. It IS different from high school. Many of you are thinking, Duh! I'm still figuring out the steps to learning for early adolescents. Last week my teaching assignment was changed. Instead... I am still trying to figure out middle school. It IS different from high school. Many of you are thinking, Duh! I'm still figuring out the steps to learning for early adolescents. Last week my teaching assignment was changed. Instead... Celebrate and Embrace tag:blogs.edweek.org,2007:/teachers/in_the_middle//43.3674 2007-09-26T00:10:40Z 2007-09-26T00:42:24Z I just took two days off from school. My husband and I celebrated our silver wedding anniversary - 25 years! I have been married more than half my life. It has passed so quickly, and usually happily. It's the only... I just took two days off from school. My husband and I celebrated our silver wedding anniversary - 25 years! I have been married more than half my life. It has passed so quickly, and usually happily. It's the only... Human Interest Story tag:blogs.edweek.org,2007:/teachers/in_the_middle//43.3534 2007-09-16T16:19:11Z 2007-09-16T16:56:38Z School's in full swing, yet I feel as though I'm just getting started. I am organizing files, reading the materials for class, trying to remember all my student's names. I'm also trying to remember all the faculty and staff names... School's in full swing, yet I feel as though I'm just getting started. I am organizing files, reading the materials for class, trying to remember all my student's names. I'm also trying to remember all the faculty and staff names... A Lesson Not Learned tag:blogs.edweek.org,2007:/teachers/in_the_middle//43.3366 2007-09-03T19:54:11Z 2011-12-07T19:45:20Z First week is over. Whew! As a Department Chair, I teach only one 8th grade class a day. Blue day is Social Studies, White Day is Science, but the group of students is the same both days. The teachers are... First week is over. Whew! As a Department Chair, I teach only one 8th grade class a day. Blue day is Social Studies, White Day is Science, but the group of students is the same both days. The teachers are...