Mythology in the Halls

My students have been studying mythology. They were charged with the task of creating body biographies for their assigned mythological characters. Here is a small sampling of the amazing work they did! I am proud of my #mightyoaks.

Late Friday Afternoon Thoughts When The Halls Are Quiet

This is my philosophy. I hope that I am getting it right...

#17yearsexperience #Still Learning

9/11 Memorial Lesson: Additional Footage

If you are interested in learning more about the 9/11 tragedy, here are some links to get you started. These links include graphic material and language, so caution is urged.

Inside the Twin Towers

"Inside 9/11"

9/11 Phone Calls

"United 93" Hijacking Scene

What Happened to the Missing?

National Geographic: The Secret History of 9/11

Scenes from 9/11

9/11 Timeline

The Man Who Predicted 9/11

Ground Zero
Remembering the Jumpers

 #NeverForget

My Mighty Oaks of 2016-2017

There is a proverb that I refer to quite often in my classroom: Mighty oaks from small acorns grow. You will hear me refer to it often. You will hear me address my students as Mighty Oaks often, too. You see, my "kiddos" are acorns preparing to grow and let their branches spread. One day, we will all become mighty oaks who are wise, strong, decisive, confident, and honorable. I cannot wait to meet my newest crop of #mightyoaks. Come on in, kiddos, and let's plant some roots! Watch the video, please: The Giving Tree.

My Mighty Oaks

What a fabulous year we've had, my senior kiddos! I have enjoyed getting to know you all. I hope that graduation is not the end for us. My hope is that each one of you will stay in contact with me because I want to know about all of the amazing things that you guys will do in the future. It has been a privilege and an honor to spend the last thirty-six weeks with you. May God bless you on your journey...and, remember, "Great oaks from little acorns grow." YOU WILL BE MIGHTY! #goaldiggers #chaneyland

Testing. Testing. Testing...

On Tuesday, March 29, 2016, thousands of freshman souls will take the English I Texas state end-of-course assessment. These fifty-two goodie-bags represent my hopes, my prayers, and my personal encouragements for each one of my precious ninth grade students who will complete the arduous task of satisfying the state's ideals of what it believes a fifteen-year-old should know and be able to do in an ELA classroom, no matter what his/her background is: abused, neglected, homeless, hungry, sick, dyslexic, anxious, depressed, autistic, three reading grade-levels behind, unable to read and write in the English language, etc. Please keep in mind that those who regulate the state's assessments, those who create the assessments, and those who grade the assessments have likely never been a teacher, nor set foot in a classroom as an adult. The pressure on many of our students is insurmountable. My students know that this test does not define who they are as individuals, nor does the test have any eternal significance, yet the stakes are so high for them at an age where they are not mature enough to grasp its importance and, in many cases, unable to successfully satisfy the test objectives. They need reassurance and comfort - a little prayer wouldn't hurt either! Would you please join me in praying for all of the state's students who will be testing over the next two months? Thank you.

Say "Yes" to Your Future

"You have got to want to succeed as badly as you want to breathe."

Inspirational Video