The Beginning

This week I am getting ready to wrap up my first official year as a Middle School English teacher. It has been a bumpy ride but nevertheless well worth it. I am looking forward to next year when I can really hone my craft and try out many, many new ideas and adventures. This blog will feature these ideas as well as best practices and hopefully valuable lessons. My philosophy is deeply rooted in the belief that in today's classroom, language arts instruction needs to be relevant to the lives of your students. Writing should be meaningful to the author that is crafting it and reading should be centered around student choice. With this blog, I hope to share everything that I know after teaching elementary school for 8 years and obtaining a Master's in Literacy and Culture. I also hope to learn from it's readers. Teachers all possess an immense wealth of knowledge to share. I truly believe great teaching happens when you can share and learn from your peers.