I was lucky enough to meet Julie Ann C., a fifth grade math teacher, in Austin this summer. We quickly developed a mutual admiration society (membership count: two), and she invited me into her organizational life. Similar to Michelle’s Arc from Staples, Julie Ann C....
App Review: Edmodo
Three teachers we adore have recently mentioned Edmodo, so naturally we went prowling around. For those of you with ready access to computers and Internet in your schools, Edmodo is a real gem. Edmodo is like a classroom version of Facebook, focused on student and...
Total System Tour: Susan’s Adult Trapper Keeper
Our past blog posts on complete and total systems, like Michelle’s Arc Notebook and Sarah’s clipboarded iPad Mini, tend to be very popular. So here’s another one, people! This time, we’re learning from Susan, a Research Fellow and former PhD student. Translation: she...
Rosie’s Classroom-on-the-Go! Help for the Mobile Teacher!
A few weeks back, I was roaming the halls of a school in New Orleans, when I spotted a very Together Teacher bag that wayyyyyyyyy outsized a normal teacher bag or backpack. This thing even knocked the pants off my old school L.L. Bean enormous tote! This had pockets,...
Giveaway Contest! Communicating with Families! [Reply by November 15]
As you all know, I don’t often throw down and really recommend books and products unless I love them. And since I don’t accept advertising or sponsorships, I’ve got the privilege of being very picky about what I share with you, dear readers.* So I’m pretty psyched to...
Grading: Let’s Make It Faster, Stronger
Whatever your thoughts are on Kanye, the man writes a catchy lyric. . . Now that that don’t kill me, can only make me stronger… How dorky is it to admit that his rap makes me think of grading? Particularly for secondary teachers. . . Insert first round of report cards...
Substitutes — We Can’t Live Without ‘Em!
Know you’re going to be out for a fantastic PD? Coming down with a cold? Due for jury duty? Regardless of the reason, at some point during this school year, you are going to need a substitute teacher. We recently met with Danielle T., a permanent substitute at her...
Mailbag: No Paper? No Problem!
Hi Maia, Can you help me out? I’m looking for suggestions from teachers on how to create a classroom environment with less paper for elementary and middle school parents, students and teachers. How can we work with less paper, as our district that does not readily...
Put An End To Thinking
So, in the continued saga of Maia-running-this-business-while-trying-to-be-a-great-mom-friend-wife-and-colleague, I’m constantly trying to think of things I can do to make my life easier. With so much unexpected stuff coming my way every day (ummm. . . please refer...
When Pinkeye Strikes!
Hey friends! I’m back! I’ve missed you! And I promise germs don’t travel via Internet…right?!? While I was away, I enjoyed a disconnected vacation on a mountain in upstate New York. Then, I survived a...