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changing how I spend my time

I don't spend my time the same way I did my first year of teaching. In fact, "spend" is a bit of a misnomer. All I have is the "now." I can't invest it or save it. Time will pass regardless. Still, I don't use my time the same way I once did and it had Read More...
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2010 03 23

John Spencer

3 Comments

what we can learn from Camden Yards

When I was a kid, I went through a phase of designing baseball stadiums. It was at the time that they built the new Comiskey Park and I felt like it was an injustice to the old. When other kids had idealistic dreams of playing first base for the Giants, Read More...
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2008 07 13

John Spencer

3 Comments

outsourcing my job

The term "outsourcing" has such a negative connotation, but it is the best word I can use to describe what I do to save time. There are many jobs that I either hate to do or am not well-qualified to do that are a part of the regular teaching profession. Read More...
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2007 12 25

John Spencer

26 Comments

planning to plan for planning - or why the system is OCD

I sit in the library at 7:30. School does not start for another hour, but those in "leadership" must attend this biweekly meeting. I use quotation marks because, if you could see me right now, I actually stopped talking for a moment to use the hand signal Read More...
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2007 09 19

John Spencer

3 Comments

time-saving ideas

I'm not naturally excited about practical aspects of teaching. Yet, I believe that little things can often make a difference. True, they may be a Band-Aid solution, but when we think about bandages, they are really effective. Such a small thing can help Read More...
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2007 08 25

John Spencer

12 Comments

administrative b.s.

I love teaching. I really enjoy the five hours spent teaching and the time I spend with the students and staff during prep periods, lunches and after school. I have structured my day so that I spend as little time on administrative work as I possibly Read More...
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2007 08 17

John Spencer

16 Comments

I am not a Robot

For the last two hours, I have been converting my format for lesson plans (which include the standard, the essential question, the objectives, a few inclusion pieces and a very structured outline) into the school-mandated, heavy-handed SIOP format. I'm Read More...
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2007 08 13

John Spencer

9 Comments

getting organized

The phone rings as I'm sifting through papers. I catch a glimpse of a post-it note reminding me of a meeting that was apparently scheduled in the morning. I pick up the phone and listen to a lecture from the school counselor about why it's important for Read More...
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2007 08 5

John Spencer

756 Comments