Free Thinking Teacher

In the world of tweets and rants it seems there are teachers out there who make it there mission to fight for so called “Jeans Days.” These are the days in which they are allowed to wear jeans to work. My first inkling is that if this is a battle worth fighting in your school, then you teach in a pretty sweet environment. But I must delve deeper into this need for jeans. You don’t have to look very far to see that Americans have become much more casual. I think the tipping point was with whichever lazy rocket scientist created the category loungewear (formerly pajamas). However, I’m not sure why we have to casual all the time. Many workplaces have also lessened their dress standards to allow for jeans, which admittedly can be made to look decent.  My point in all of this prefacing my argument is this. When jeans become the norm or commonplace at work, there is always that group of people who have to test the slovenly waters. I’m sure all of you have that teacher or as...

Welcome to Free Thinking Teacher!  With the myriad of chatter out there in the cybersphere, this is yet another source.  I'll focus primarily on the world of education and #eduspeak, with some dabbling in politics and current events. My purpose is to elicit discussion through podcasts, blog posts, and tweets.  Many of my thoughts will not conform to the norms of many education professionals.  By sharing them, I hope to get people thinking for themselves, not to sway an opinion to be in agreement with my own.  There is a genuine fear that teachers as a whole are so ingrained with one doctrine that the part of the reason that the practice of education is failing. As the tagline states, I will provide "a candid look at the educational world from the mind of a veteran teacher who doesn't toe the line." Expect some controversial ideas mixed in with some humor and debate. These opinions are my own, but you're welcome to borrow them.  Check out...