The State of Reading for the Year (So Far)

I can't believe that November is just a week away! Besides being the beginning of the end of the semester, November is the beginning of the craziness of the holiday season. It also has the annual NCTE conference and ALAN Workshop, two of my favorite professional development events.

However, before diving head-first into November, I wanted to reflect on the reading I've done so far this year. While I don't know how much more I'll be able to accomplish in the next two months (grading and traveling will be eating up a lot of time), I'm pretty proud of the number of books I have read. My official count is 60 books, and while I still at least 14 to go if I want to catch up with the number I read in 2014, it is still a decent accomplishment. Here are some of my favorites books from this year so far:

October's Professional Development Opportunities

While I can't believe that it is October already (and that we are only two weeks away from fall break, which marks the mid-point in the semester), the chilly, rainy weather in my little corner of the Midwest assures me that October is here. Besides fall break, cooler temperatures, and Halloween, October also marks a time when things seem to get even busier at schools. While it can be hard to find (or make) time for professional development, I've found that PD can be an invigorating and inspiring. Fortunately, there is a plethora of free online opportunities that can work with crazy schedules.

Banned Books Week 2015

Yesterday (September 27) was the first day of Banned Books Week for 2015. As I wrote last year, Banned Books Week is of special interest to me as a former English teacher and current teacher educator. Besides being a fascinating topic (especially when we start exploring just why certain books have been challenged or banned), it is a timely one for my students. As they think about their future classrooms and what they will be teaching, they often express concern about bringing in more modern literature because of the possibility that the books might invite controversy. This is especially true when it comes to young adult literature.

Book Review: Hope Against Hope - Three Schools. One City, and the Struggle to Educate America's Children

Sometimes you find the right book at the right time. This was my experience with Sarah Carr's Hope Against Hope: Three Schools, One City, and the Struggle to Educate America's Children. I was somewhat reluctant to start it; since so much of my time and energy is spent on education and thinking about, studying, and discussing the state of education, I try to find other topics to read about in my spare time. However, I spied it at a library book sale and was intrigued. My last year teaching high school, several students from New Orleans attended my school after Hurricane. Katrina, and during my time in Boston, I remember discussing the changes that were happening in New Orleans. Since August 2015 marked the 10-year anniversary of the storm that changed the city, I thought that now was the right time to learn more about the school system there, and I am so glad I did this. 

September's Professional Development Opportunities

In August, #nctechat's topic was professional learning networks (PLNs), which is near and dear to my heart. Near the end of the chat, the participants were asked to share their goals regarding PLNs in the next school year. One of my goals is to keep active in my PLN, which is easier said than done. Based on the first week of classes, this looks to be a busy semester! Luckily, there are some great professional development opportunities this month to help keep me engaged with my network and to provide support, ideas, and enthusiasm, even as things get busy.

Schools in New Orleans Featured on PBS Newshour

As the country marks the 10 year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina's devastation in New Orleans, much attention has been given to the revitalization in the city, particularly the changes that have occurred in its schools. Some applaud the city's use of charters, which have essentially taken the place of a traditional public school system, and see the city as a model for urban school renewal. However, critics see the model as deeply flawed, particularly when it comes to students who have exceptionalities or who do not thrive in a setting that demands intense discipline.

The PBS Newshour featured a story on schools in New Orelans last night as part of their 10-year retrospective on Katrina and how the city has coped with its aftermath. What I appreciate about the segment is that it presents both the champions and the critics of the new system, and it allows for a larger discussion on whether this is a model worth emulating in other cities.

Gearing Up for the New (School) Year: A Video Playlist

All last week, the unmistakable signs that the school year was about to begin. Our first-year students were going through orientation, parents were moving students in, and meetings and faculty events were taking place. While I can't believe that summer is over and that it is time to start a new school year, I'm also excited to see my seniors and to get a new batch of secondary education students in my general methods courses.

To help you (and me) get psyched for the new school year, here is my "Welcome to the New School Year" video playlist (after the jump):