Top 100 High School Teacher Blogs
Confessions from the Couch - This history teacher and cheerleading coach uses her blog to discuss her thoughts and opinions on the state of education in America’s urban schools. Recommended posts: “Problems of Urban Education” and “Bellwork Success.”
Failing Schools – This political blog is written by three different authors, all of whom have experience in teaching as well as opinions on educational reform. Recommended posts: “Audio: Debate about Wisconsin, labor rights” and “Communitywide Education Summit.”
MathNotations – This blogger posts numerous math, algebra, geometry, and calculus problems that any middle or high school teacher could use in their classroom. Recommended posts: “Another Cone in a Sphere Problem? – A Guide for the rest of us…” and “List the NINE 2-digit PRIMES which…”
Physics & Physical Science Demos, Labs, & Projects for High School Teachers – This blog is specifically for physics and physical science teachers who are looking for new and innovative ways to teach science to their students. Recommended posts: “Our Solar System to Scale” and “Final Exam – Roadrunner.”
Social Studies and History Teacher’s Blog – The posts on this blog discuss everything from African American history, the Civil War, the Royal Wedding, World War II, the American Revolution, and much more. Recommended posts: “African American life in Georgia in the 1950s” and “WWII US Homefront film, 1942.”
Mr. Teachbad’s Blog of Teacher Disgruntlement -This history and government teacher writes that the purpose of his blog is “to make other teachers laugh and realize they are not alone.” When asked to explain what he has learned as a teacher since he started blogging, he responded: “That I’m right. Lots of teachers everywhere feel the same way about this job.” Recommended posts: “Say There, Might You Have Any More Data?” and “Teaching vs. Spreadsheets and Programs…”
TeachPaperless – This highly-recommended site is written by numerous contributors from all over the country who hope to inspire teachers in embracing digital technology. Recommended posts: “Why Teachers Should Blog” and “21 Things That Will Become Obsolete in Education by 2020.”
Teachers At Risk – This blog covers various social and educational issues such as the use of technology in classrooms, ADHD, and how to help students with learning disabilities. Recommended posts: “Students think cell phones have no place in the classroom” and “Dyslexia-one of the three “Ds” of learning disorders.”
What It’s Like on the Inside – This blogger discusses everything from testing in high schools, technology, the future of education, and even aliens. Recommended posts: “Excel Dashboards for Educators” and “I Want to Believe.”
New England
Mr. B-G’s English Blog – Mr. B-G teaches English and Journalism in Western Massachusetts, and writes that the sole purpose of his blog is to “reflect on my practice and participate in an authentic learning network with other educators…there are some really fantastic teachers out there, and I can learn a lot from them.” Recommended posts: “Literature and the Carter Effect” and “Mass Ed Board Adopts National Academic Standards.”
Computer Science Teacher – Alfred Thompson used to work as a high school computer science teacher before being hired as a K-12 Computer Science Academic Relations manager for Microsoft. He also previously worked as a software developer, and has written several books on teaching Visual Basic to both high school and middle school students. Recommended posts: “Resources for Programming Teachers” and “Visual Basic Resources.”
Tuttle SVC - This Rhode Island teacher uses his blog to discuss the politics of teaching in the United States and the use of Common Core State Standards in classrooms. Recommended posts: “The Providence Plan” and “Seriously, Has Anyone Read the Common Core ELA Standards?”
Mid-Atlantic
Action-Reaction – Frank Noschese works as a Conceptual Physics, College-Prep Physics, and AP Physics teacher in Westchester County, NY, and explains that the sole purpose of his blog is to “reflect upon and share my teaching practices with other educators…There is a huge network of similar teachers with similar successes and struggles,” he writes, “we can all learn from each other.” Recommended posts: “[PT] Pseudoteaching: MIT Physics” and “Increasing Engagement in Science.”
Continuous Everywhere but Differentiable Nowhere – “The main reasons I started the blog was to archive my experiences teaching and to mull over things that happen in my classroom. It has also expanded as a way to communicate with other math teachers,” writes Sameer Shah, an Algebra II, Calculus, and Multivariable Calculus teacher in Brooklyn. “What I’ve learned [since I started blogging] is a bit contradictory,” he explains. “I’ve learned to pat myself on the back for the good work that I do, while at the same time I’ve also learned to appreciate the fact that I suck at teaching. As another blogger (I forget who right now) put it: we’re all just trying to suck a little bit less every day. Blogging is a way to see how we are succeeding, or failing, at that.” Recommended posts: “fnInt reprise” and “TI-83/84 Question.”
Epiphany in Baltimore – This blogger is a high school English teacher in Baltimore, MD, and some of the many post topics include state cuts to schools, teacher blogging, teacher interns, the future of education, and much more. Recommended posts: “Becoming a Model Teacher” and “State cuts threaten education-please act now.”
f(t) – This highly-recommended by blog is written by Katherine Nowak, a high school math teacher from Syracuse, NY. Recommended posts: “End-of-Year Exam Review Plan” and “Log Laws.”
Get In The Fracas – Dan Brown is a high school English teacher in Southeast Washington, DC, and his writing has been featured in the New York Post, Education Week, the Boston Globe, and the New York Daily News. Recommended posts: “My Teacher Recruitment Rant” and “The Promise and Pitfalls of Improving the Teaching Profession.”
Head Outta The Book -”The blog serves many purposes, but the sole one is to increase communication with my students and their parents, and, with my students blogging themselves, my blog is the hub for our out of class activities and interblog work,” writes Deborah L. Harris, an Honors English and AP Literature and Composition teacher from Upstate New York. “I’ve learned that there are so many creative ways to expand our discussion of life and literature using technology related to blogging.” Recommended posts: “H2 and AP work the week of Presidents’ Day” and “AoW #15: Colbert I. King’s thoughts on Black History Month.”
I am a teacher et cetera – This Pennsylvania English teacher uses her blog to talk about everything from Twitter and blogging, to researching and writing. Recommended posts: “Making Assessment of Writing Meaningful” and “This Much I Know…”
Physics in Flux – Dan Fullerton teaches physics and engineering to 11th, 12th in Rochester, NY, and writes that the sole purpose of his blog is to “document my redesign of a high school physics classroom.” He also explains that since he has started blogging he has learned “the advantages of standards-based grading (SBG).” Recommended posts: “Tablet PCs in the Classroom” and “Creating Instructional Videos with Tablet PCs.”
Sarcasymptote – This Brooklyn math teacher discusses everything from physics and algebra, to Flavor Flav and Justin Bieber. Recommended posts: “The Passion of the WCYDWT or: Mistakes I Have Made, and Vindication by the Neuroscience of Curiosity” and “Course Expectations.”
The Scholastic Scribe – “[My blog is] a forum for me to vent, share information/ideas about getting my writing published,” explains Melissa, an Intro to Journalism, newspaper staff, yearbook staff, AP English Language and Composition teacher who works in the DC suburbs. She also explains that one thing she has learned since she has started blogging is that “the world is a very big place and that so many other teachers are at the same point in their careers as I am.” Recommended posts: “Dark Side of the Moon” and “Question Authority. Absolutely.”
Science teacher – Michael Doyle lives in Bloomfield, NJ, and currently teaches Biology, CP and AP. He has a passion for writing, and explains that he learns something new about teaching “just about every day” since he started blogging a few years ago. “No sole purposes, maybe no purposes at all,” he writes about his blog. “I enjoy writing, a few folks enjoy reading it.” Recommended posts: “Death in a classroom, again” and “Thoughts before meeting Governor Christie.”
TEACHING chemistry – This high school chemistry teacher has a passion for standards-based grading and integrating technology in the classroom, which is evident when reading over the variety of different posts on this blog. Recommended posts: “Google Cloud Connect: First Impressions” and “My Standard-Based Journey Pt. 1: An Overview.”
An Urban Teacher’s Education – This blogger teaches US and Global Studies in the Bronx, but has previously taught in DC, Knoxville, TN, and Seattle, WA. Recommended posts: “Urban Teaching by Lois Weiner” and “Kansas City, Missouri School District Needs New Approach to Discipline.”
Walking to School - “The primary purpose of the blog is to discuss policy and education,” writes Mary Tedrow, who has 22 years of experience teaching high school English “in and around Winchester, Virginia.” Although she currently teaches General English 11 and Advanced Placement Literature and Composition, she has also previously taught Journalism I, II, II and English “in all other grades and levels of ability in the 9-12 world.” She went on to explain that her blog consists of lessons and philosophical discussions, but she does her best to preserve her students’ anonymity. “I started blogging to challenge myself to write once a week, primarily as an exercise to stay infused in the struggle to invent, compose, and revise– the same challenge I ask of my students,” she writes. “I also aim to influence the thinking of the citizenry and the policymakers, providing the classroom view when it comes to affecting reform in the nation’s schools.” Recommended posts: “The Perfect Storm…” and “Untying the Equity Knot.”
Midwest
Adventures with the Lower Level – “The best thing about having a blog is the sharing of ideas and suggestions,” writes Tracie Schroeder, a teacher from Council Grove, KS. (Tracie has taught a variety of different science-related courses, such as Physical Science, Tech Lab, Biology, Applied Biology and Chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology, Physics, Chemistry, Earth Science, Meteorology, Astronomy, Geology, Ocean Science, Applied Chemistry, and Applied Physics…just to name a few). “I can post about a lesson I did in my classroom and the next day I have feedback. I get so many good ideas from my blog list that I can’t even begin to implement them all. It is also nice to know that the challenges I face in my classroom are not mine alone.” Recommended posts: “A Tale of Two Chemistries” and “Mass Numbers for Dummies*.”
Mr. Cantor’s Biology Blog 2010-2011 – “I use blogs in all 3 of my classes to post important information for my students, post links to sites we use in class, solicit comments from students, and post class documents and assignments,”writes Phillip Dworkin-Cantor, a Biology, Environmental Science, and AP Psychology teacher in the West Humboldt Park area in Illinois. “I’ve learned that blogs are a great tool for teaching and learning,” he writes. “I’ve also seen that there is a huge digital divide among our students. About 30% of our students have reliable Internet at home, so assigning homework on the blog is difficult. Some students are very tech savvy, but some are newbies. Most students enjoy learning via the blog, but when I’ve asked students to post comments or create their own blogs it has caused a lot of stress for some students for whom it is very difficult.” Recommended posts: “Bacteria: WANTED DEAD or ALIVE – Due March 15th” and “Mitosis = Somatic Cell Division.”
Mr Cantor’s AP Psychology Blog – This blog is specifically for students in Mr. Cantor’s high school psychology class, and students are encouraged to participate in the blogging process. He also uses his blog to post various career opportunities that his students may be interested in. Recommended posts: “Language Links” and “Conciousness.”
Coaching in and out of the Classroom – “As a teacher and aspiring administrator my blog serves a number of purposes,” writes Christopher McGee, a Science and Reading Strategies teacher in Kirkwood, MO. “It’s SOLE purpose is to help others. Give others ideas, conversation points, resources and completed lessons to strive to impact student achievement. I strive for my blog to be something people can talk about, comment on…All too often in education we can get on an island and do our lessons the same way we have done them for years. Blogging, as well as other social media, motivates me to always try something new to benefit my students. Blogging about the things that go right and things that fail allows other teachers the opportunity and courage to try something that may be outside their comfort zone. Blogging has given me that opportunity to reflect on my lessons publicly to benefit the collaborative intelligence of the group.” Recommended posts: “9 Steps To Fixing Professional Development” and “The Opportunity of a Lifetime” and “6th graders commenting on student work.”
Free/Libre Open Source Science Education – Steve Dickie works as a high school teacher in Dearborn, MI, and has previously taught environmental science, physics, electronics, freshmen physical science, and botany. Recommended posts: “Teacher Created Textbooks!” and “Why I love Social Media! Free Physics Videos!”
Herr Tarte – This blog is maintained by Justin Tarte, the author of Justin Tarte – Life of an Educator, and is specifically for students in his German 2 and 3 classes. He writes that the purpose of his classroom blog is to engage his German students through technology and social media “while refining their German skills.” Recommended posts: “Deutsch 2 und 3 – Freitag 25.02.11” and “Deutsch 2 & 3 – Donnerstag 17.02.11.”
iEat iRun iBlog – Mike Dial teaches a variety of different English courses and also coaches at a high school in Lawson, MO. “[The purpose of my blog] is to give me an avenue to write about my passions in life,” he explains. “Also, to model the importance of a lifetime of writing and learning for my students. It’s my way of ‘walking the walk’ when I tell my students why writing is so important.” He also explains that since he has started blogging he has learned about the importance of finding a voice in your writing: “Writing should be unique to each person and allow them to openly express their creativity. Finding my own voice in my writing has been key to being able to express that to my students.” Recommended posts: “Why an “App”-le is good for my health” and “We Need to Have a Conversation.”
iTeach. iCoach. iBlog. – Courtney Allam, a Sophomore and Senior Language Arts teacher in Olathe, KS, writes that the sole purpose of his blog is to “blog about my passions: teaching, coaching football and technology. I enjoy sharing ideas, reflecting, and dialoguing about issues relating to education,” he explains. Since he has started blogging Courtney has learned “how powerful it can be to share your ideas, and learn from other people…It is truly a global professional learning network.” Recommended posts: “iPad & Hudl = Game-Changer” and “Five tips for blogging with your students.”
J.P. Prezzavento – The Bits and Bytes of Education – “I use my blog to help me reflect on my instructional practices and get feedback from educators across the state and across the world,” writes John Prezzavento, a Language Arts teacher in St. Louis, MO. When asked to explain what he has learned as a teacher since he has started blogging, John writes that he has “learned the value of reflection.” Recommended posts: “5 Technology Tips for the Not-so-Tech-Savvy Teacher” and “Five Learning Activities to Increase Student Engagement.”
Justin Tarte - “[The purpose of my blog] is to reflect, share and collaborate with educators from around the world,” writes Justin Tarte, who teaches German 2 and German 3 in Imperial, MO. “I have learned a tremendous amount about myself as an educator,” he explains. “Blogging has helped me to reflect upon my instructional practices and beliefs, thus helping me to become a better educator.” Recommended posts: “10 Tips for Effective Professional Development…” and “10 reasons to get educators blogging…”
Kelly Morgan – Science Education – Kelly Morgan Deters teaches physical science, chemistry, and physics at a high school in Topeka, KS, and writes that the purpose of her blog is to “share my thoughts on how to effectively teach and begin conversations with others to learn from them.” She also writes that one thing she has learned since she started blogging is that “there are teachers out there everywhere trying to do the same things you are, and we’re all trying to recreate the wheel.” Recommended posts: “How to allow all students to move on when they’re ready?” and “A textbook author’s views on e-textbooks.”
Living the Dream – “Although I do not blog ‘enough’, I really appreciate keeping a record of my thoughts to reflect back on, [and] engage my peers in conversation and sharing,” writes Diana Laufenberg, who teaches American History, American Government, and Globalization and Debate in Philadelphia, PA. Recommended posts: “Election Day” and “2010 SLA Debate Team.”
MeTA musings – Blogger Matt Townsley has been teaching high school math for over six years, (he currently teaches math courses online), but now works as a Director of Instruction and Technology in Iowa. Recommended posts: “Motivating staff development using Google Sites and Docs?” and “the Four T-Men of the Curricular Apocalypse.”
misscalcul8 – Elissa Miller teaches algebra and geometry to a group of freshmen, sophomores, and juniors in Illinois, and writes that she uses her blog to “share lessons, ideas, and stories from my teaching career with others who can help me or help others to be better.” When asked to explain what she has learned since she started blogging, Elissa wrote that she has learned enough to “write a book…The main thing I’ve learned is that the best way to learn is to be transparent and open; share everything you have. Your willingness to be transparent encourages people to do the same and that’s where a beautiful relationship of feedback, correction, support, encouragement, and critique is born.” Recommended posts: “Point Slope and Slope Practice” and “How We ACT Test Prep.”
nashworld – Sean Nash works as an Academic Technology Instructional Specialist and Marine Biology instructor in St. Joseph, MO. Recommended posts: “Biology Educators Network Builds Partnership” and “Online Learning Networks in Science – An Interview.”
The Nerdy Teacher – “The purpose of my blog is to share my thoughts and lessons with teachers from all over the world,” writes Nicholas Provenzano, a Freshman English, American Literature and Pictorial Literature (Graphic Novels) teacher Grosse Point, MI. “I have learned that there are amazing teachers out there that have amazing ideas. You only have to look around.” Recommended posts: “The Epic Romeo and Juliet Joint Project” and “StrataLogica – A Review.”
New Physics Modeler - “The purpose of my blog was self-reflection as I began the process of Modeling Instruction in my classroom,” writes Bryan Battaglia, a Physics and Biology teacher in Utica, MI. “I also thought it would be a good way for my fellow workshop participants to discuss issues and help each other out [and] that it may be helpful for future modelers to check out as they begin their journeys…The growth I have had this year as a teacher is nothing short of amazing. It is by far the best form of professional development I have ever had. I have met dozens of amazing teachers through my blog that continue to challenge me to be a better teacher. The dialogue and reflections brought about have influenced my class greatly.” Recommended posts: “Why I love going to conferences.” and “Why whiteboarding is going better.”
NGHS AP Physics B - This physics blog is specifically for students in Mr. Niebuhr’s AP Physics B class. Recommended posts: “electrostatics quiz review” and “work and voltage assignment, and lab.”
Pedagogue Padawan – “I created Pedagogue Padawan since I hope that, by sharing my reflections on learning to help others learn, others with similar interests will find some insight or at least chuckle,” writes Geoff Schmit, who teaches Regular Physics, Honors Physics, and Advanced Physics teacher in Naperville, IL. “I will focus on various topics in which I am interested: assessment, engineering, mastery learning, modeling, physics, standards-based grading, and technology…Since I started blogging about teaching, I’ve learned that there is an incredible community of passionate educators with fantastic ideas. This community has been influential in everything from science lab ideas to philosophies of teaching. I’ve also learned that many educators have the same questions and are trying the same ideas in their classrooms as I in mine.” Recommended posts: “Einstein Day” and “Why Standards-Based Grading?”
Points of Inflection – “I’ve learned a lot about the importance of intention and reflection,” writes Riley Lark, a math (Algebra 2, Precalc, Calculus), physics, and computer science teacher in West Branch, IA. “Without specifically trying to improve in an area of my teaching, I think I was too complacent, and stagnating. When I chose an area to work on, I could immediately find lots of ways to get better.” Riley also explained that the sole purpose of his blog is “to improve as a teacher by focusing on particular aspects of my teaching, writing about them, and getting to hear what other people think about them.” Recommended posts: “Active Grading: Scale Matters” and “What did you do to the x-axis?!? Using the most relevant context possible.”
Rational Mathematics Education – This high school math teacher uses his blog to discuss what he calls “the disinformation on mathematics education.” Recommended posts: “A Must-Read Book on mathematics education” and “It Ain’t Just Claptrap: Can We Meaningfully Critique Our Schools?”
Room 167 - “I created my blog as a way to incorporate technology into the social studies curriculum and to enhance communication between myself, my students, and parents,” writes Lea Hansen-George, a high school Social Studies, LD (Learning Disabilities), and EBD (Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities) teacher in Spring Green, WI who has been blogging since 2006. “For the first two years, students accessed my blog several times a week and responded to questions I posted or viewed videos, or completed online quizzes I linked on the blog…At least several times a week I project my blog on the smart board in my classroom. I can share videos I’ve posted or other sites of interest with my students. Sometimes kids visit my blog from their homes. This is another reason I continue the blog. I think it is beneficial, even if only a handful of students view the posts from home.” Lea also went on to explain that her blog is essentially a “central location” where she can store hundreds of lessons plans and resources and also access hundreds of lessons, activities, resources, links, videos, etc. that she has used over the past few years. Recommended posts: “March 7-11 Lesson Plans” and “Personal Inventories.”
Stump the Teacher - “The purpose of my blog it two-fold,” explains Mr. S, a Social Sciences and Language arts teacher who works in the Chicago suburbs, “I want to share my experiences with other teachers and I also like to share resources that I use in my classroom…As I have been blogging I have become much more reflective in my work. Through my blogging I find myself thinking about my experiences and how they might help someone else and myself. Sometimes writing about things holds me accountable for my work and the work I do with my students.” Recommended posts: “Parents in the Classroom” and “Feedback to Students.”
Think Thank Thunk – Shawn Cornally is from Eastern Iowa and teaches Physics, Physics II, Geology, Calculus, Computer Programming, and Ethics. He writes that the sole purpose of his blog is “to evangelize the need for being an interesting teacher,” and since he has started blogging he has learned “everything,” from “how to assess better, how to care to students, how to make engaging lessons, [and] how to interact with my colleagues professionally.” Recommended posts: “Teaching Evolution Without Joining The Homer Parade” and “How I Teach Calculus: A Comedy (Rates & Gas Tanks).”
Mr. Allam’s English II 2011 – This blog is specifically for students in Mr. Allam’s English II class. Recommended posts: “POW #4: Does the opposite sex ever just make you mad?” and “Outside Reading Novels.”
The South
The Daily Lesson – Leslie Martin teaches US History, Psychology, Sociology, History of Western Thought, and Pop Culture of the 20th Century at a high school in South Carolina, and writes that the sole purpose of her blog is to “reflect on my day and see what lessons I can learn from it.” She also went on to explain that one thing she has learned since she has started blogging is the importance of “consistent reflection.” Recommended posts: “So Many Methods So Little Time” and “Struggling to be Positive in a Sea of Negativity.”
huffenglish.com – Dana Huff is an English teacher from Atlanta and blogs about the use of technology in English education. In 2010 she was selected as the Georgia Secondary Teacher of the Year by GCTE. Recommended posts: “Multigenre Research Project” and “What I’ve “Drawn” Up.”
Jacobs Physics – “I try to provide and share practical physics teaching ideas,” writes Greg Jacobs, who teaches “all level of physics” at a college-prep boarding school for boys in central Virginia; (he also has experience coaching football, baseball, and debate). “physics teaching is art, not a science — the best forum to share effective teaching strategies is not through a peer-reviewed journal (mimicing science), but through informal shop talk (mimicing art). My blog is an attempt to promote shop talk across a wide community of physics teachers…I’ve met a number of teachers through physics workshops and summer institutes. They have — often through my blog — provided me with numerous ideas that I’ve incorporated into my own classes. The best part about sharing ideas is that others share their ideas with me.” Recommended posts: “Induced EMF caused by a falling magnet, and a qualitative demonstration” and “How I “conduct” a laboratory session — NO HANDOUTS!”
Quantum Progress - “The purpose of this blog is to chronicle my experiences in teaching physics and trying to empower my students to change the world,” writes John Burk, who works as a private school physics teacher in Atlanta, GA. “I have learned about the incredible value of sharing your ideas with other teachers. It’s the best professional development I’ve ever done.” Recommended posts: “How many courses does it take to learn physics?” and “YBPT: You be the physics teacher.”
Stop Trying to Inspire Me – This Virginia teacher uses his blog to rant and rave about the American public education system. Recommended posts: “Where lack of ability and true accountability collide” and “You’ve got the right to free speech … as long as you’re not dumb enough to actually try it.”
Teaching High School Psychology – This blog is essentially a resource for any current or future high school psychology teachers. Recommended posts: “Ethical Connections in Psychology: Grilling for Science!” and “Mapping the Brain — Brain Atlas Project.”
TeachMoore - Renee Moore was a high school teacher for 15 years, but now teaches full-time at the community college level with freshmen and dual enrollment high school students. “I started blogging while still at the high school, and continue to be active in teacher licensure and professional development around my state and the nation,” she writes. “As one of the teacher bloggers for Teacher Leaders Network, the purpose of my blog is to interject the voice of highly accomplished classroom teachers into the discussions of education policy. Since I began blogging, I realize even more how important that often marginalized voice is; too often people think they have done enough to include the voice of teachers when they invite the union presidents to speak. But we desperately need to hear from the people actually on the ground in classrooms, especially those of us who are successful teachers at our most challenging schools about what REALLY works in education.” Recommended posts: “Love Never Fails: Why We Shouldn’t Give Up on Public Schools” and “The Teaching Profession Our Students Deserve.”
World History Teachers Blog – This blog is essentially a resource guide for any high school world history teacher. Recommended posts: “How to Use Glogster Edu” and “Continual Update on the Middle East.”
The Southwest
Mr Duez’s AVID Blog – “AVID is a class to prepare students for college,” explains David Duez, who is also the author of Teacher Wall and Mr. Duez’s World History Class Blog. “Much of this blog is inspirational and provides students with guidance on doing well in honors classes in high school and preparing for college.” Recommended posts: “Agenda: Week of Monday March 7th, 2011” and “Opportunity for Service – National Senior Games at Turner Stadium June 16-30.”
Mr. Duez’s World History Blog -”This is my primary site where everything we do in World History is posted,” writes David Duez, a 10th grade World History and AVID teacher in Humble, TX. “It is a blog for my students and parents, but many teachers from across the country have written and used it for content purposes and for classroom ideas in History.” Recommended posts: “Chapter 17 – Rousseau’s Social Contract” and “French Revolution Video.”
I Want to Teach Forever – Tom DeRosa currently teaches in Rio Grande Valley, TX, and has previously taught social studies and math to students from a variety of different grade levels. Recommended posts: “Banned from Schools, Do Video Games Make Kids Fat & more” and “Book Giveaway: When Teachers Talk by Rosalyn S. Schnall.”
Journey in Technology – “My blog Journey in Technology serves to document my learning in academic technology and to share about successful implementation of digital tools into my classroom,” writes Dolores Gende, who works as an Honors Physics teacher in Dallas, TX. (Dolores also works as the Director of Instructional Technology). “The blog has been a powerful tool for reflecting on my own practice. Blogging forces me to question what works and what doesn’t and to find ways to improve.” Recommended posts: “Pseudoteaching: Laboratory Experiments” and “What KHAN be done with it!“
Math Tales from the Spring – This high school math teacher discusses his thoughts on how to improve math education as well as his opinions “on life in general.” Recommended posts: “You Can’t Keep A Good Calculator Down” and “This Makes Me So Mad I Feel Like Spittin’ Fire!“
Math Teacher Mambo – Ms. Cookie is an Algebra, Geometry, Precalculus, Calculus, and Engineering teacher in Central Texas, (although the subjects she teaches varies from year to year) and writes that the sole purpose of her blog is to share information and resources and to “process things that happen as I teach…I’ve learned that [blogging] helps by sharing the ups and downs of teaching, so that you/others don’t feel alone in your experiences,” she explains. “I’ve found many resources by reading other blogs.” Recommended posts: “Algebra/Basics Review in Geometry” and “Time For Parallelogram Review…“
Teacher Wall – David Duez writes that he uses this blog to “share teaching ideas and strategies,”and that one thing he has learned since he has started blogging is that there are many teachers out there who can provide support and ideas that can help him as an educator: “The professional learning community that I have developed has been an incredible boost to my career,” he writes. “I have also learned that it is much better for me to blog without being anonymous. Hiding behind some made up username is no way for me to live online. I have really enjoyed sharing my ideas and the positive things that are happening at my school with others.” Recommended posts: “WICR Wednesday 9/8/2010” and “What is World History Pre-AP? The Video.”
TeachJ – Robert Courtemanche is a Journalism and Media Technology educator near Houston, TX, and currently teaches Photojournalism, Broadcast Journalism, Advanced Journalism, Yearbook Production, Newspaper Production, Web Mastering and Video Technology, as well as Desktop Publishing. Recommended posts: “Cool Links #106: The One Where We Can See It From Here” and “Cool Links #105: The One About A Long List.”
The West
And Yet It Moves – “I blog because it’s a good way to reflect, look deeper at ideas, and have a community of other teachers who challenge and support each other,” writes Benjamin Chun, a Computer Science teacher in San Francisco, CA. “I’ve learned a lot of things — some attributable to blogging and some not,” he explains. “…I write often and explicitly about what I’m learning.” Recommended posts: “Restorative Justice” and “Scratching Deep.”
The Blog of Phyz – Dean Baird works as a physics teacher in Sacramento, CA, and uses his blog to discuss various educational issues. Recommended posts: “More posters to promote physics enrollment” and “Color illusion.”
Broken Airplane – Phil Wagner works as a math and physics teacher in Chula Vista, CA, but also teaches robotics class for all grade levels. Phil writes that the sole purpose of his blog is to “encourage and inform others how they can adopt technology in the classroom and how it can enhance and encourage learning.” So what has Phil learned as a teacher since he started blogging? “It has allowed me to see growth in my students by focusing on their needs and concerns,” he explains. Recommended posts: “SAM Animation is the Standard for What Educational Software Could Be” and “Why do We Have to Learn This? Programming is the Literacy in the 21st Century.”
The Dark Side of the Chalkboard – “[My blog] started as a way for me to let off steam and let people know how I was doing, since I moved 2000 miles away from my closest friends,” explains the blog’s author, who works as a world history teacher near Seattle, WA. “It has evolved into a way to deal with the stress of teaching, to work through my beliefs about teaching, and communicate with other teachers from around the country.” When asked to explain what she has learned since she has started blogging, she writes: “I have learned a lot about the relationship between teaching politics.” Recommended posts: “Straws that Break Teacher’s Backs” and “Counterbalance.”
dy/dan - This highly-recommended blog is written by math teacher Dan Meyer. Dan is currently studying at Stanford University on a doctoral fellowship. Recommended posts: “Why I Don’t Assign Homework” and “Dear Technology Coordinators:“
Engaging Parents In School… – This blog is maintained by Larry Ferlazzo, an award-winning blogger who works as a high school teacher in Sacramento, CA. Recommended posts: “Q & A With Florida Legislator Who Wants To Grade Parents” and “Parents As Partners Webcast Available…“
Happy Chyck Wonders – This secondary school teacher uses her blog to document her thoughts and opinions on how to improve the current state of education. Recommended posts: “Test? What? Pshh. A Memory.” and “Homework Hassle.”
Hedgetoad – Jenna J. teaches English/Language Arts, Reading, and Response to Intervention at a high school in Coastal Washington State, and writes that the sole purpose of her blog is to “share information about different aspects of a career in education.” Jenna also explains that since she has started blogging she has learned that “there are many, many good teachers in the schools doing great things, if only we could share more.” Recommended posts: “What is this RTI stuff ?” and “Competition for Students.”
Hélène Martin – Hélène Martin teaches Computer Science in Seattle, WA, (you can check out her course website here), and writes that her blog allows her to explore the ideas she gets from spending time with her students and other teachers. “I see writing as an opportunity to work through issues in teaching that I find difficult or particularly interesting so that I can ultimately become a better instructor,” she writes. “I also hope to promote the cause of K-12 computer science.” Recommended posts: “Harnessing Existing Interest in Computer Science Education” and “Rethinking Advanced Placement.”
High School Mediator – This blog discusses everything from how to improve school performance for high school students to how to understand the college application process. Recommended posts: “Ways to Help Teens Succeed in High School” and “5 Ways to Prepare for College in High School.”
Jim Burke: The English Teacher’s Companion – Jim Burke works as an English teacher in San Francisco, CA, and writes that the sole purpose of his blog is “to share ideas with other English teachers about how to enjoy and do our work better.” When asked to explain what he has learned as a teacher since he has started blogging, Jim writes: “How to think in and compose for digital media, something that has enriched my teaching…[and] how to identify and generate good ideas for blogs.” Recommended posts: “For every class, a proposal: Make it matter” and “An App for the Teacher.”
Just Call Me Ms Frizzle - This blogger is a physics teacher in Las Vegas, NV, and uses her site to document her collection of teaching ideas and resources. Recommended posts: “Junk Drawer Science” and “Physics Man Commercials.”
Mr. L’s Math – Bill Lombard works as a math teacher in Redding, CA, and he and his co-author have written over a dozen books for math teachers and over 25 Teacher Resource Manuals for teacher training seminars. Recommended posts: “Math in Daily Life – A Website Showing the Many Everyday Uses of Mathematics” and “KenKen Puzzles – Six New Puzzles for You Each Day from 4×4 to 9×9.”
Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites the Day – Larry Ferlazzo is an internationally-known and well respected blogger and educator, and teaches Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced English Language Learners courses in Sacramento, CA. He is also currently working on a number of different publications, and has won numerous awards for his blogging talents. Recommended posts: “Fascinating Interactive Showing College Graduates In U.S. Counties Between 1940 & Now” and “Now That Teachers Can Access YouTube In Our District, Here Are Two Great Music Sites For ELL’s.”
Once a Teacher…. – Kate Klingensmith is a Biology, Physics, and Anatomy teacher from Oakland, CA, and she uses her blog to share materials and resources with other high school science teachers. Recommended posts: “Ten Free Web 2.0 Tools for the Classroom” and “20 Online Tools to Make Learning Fun.”
A Passion for Teaching and Opinions – “I’ve learned that there are a whole lot of passionate teachers that want to do wonderful things in education,” writes Jeff Silva-Brown, who teaches Advanced Placement, U.S. History, Advanced Placement Comparative Government, American Government and Economics in Ukiah, CA, and also coaches JV Boys’ Basketball. “I’ve also learned that I will never stop growing as a teacher, and that the best teachers work hard, collaborate, fix mistakes, and take risks…At first [I used my blog as] a method to reflect on what I was doing in the classroom. I wrote about myself and my own techniques, while often reflecting about necessary changes in the short term (tomorrow) or longer term (next year). Then it became a method of collaboration. I’ve learned more about every aspect of teaching from other teachers on the Internet. From curriculum to classroom management, nothing is better than thousands of sharing. Finally, the blog allows a window to the world of teaching.” Recommended posts: “Attendance Matters: Stealing Opportunity” and “The small uprising.”
Science Education on the Edge – “The purpose of my blog is to provide me with a place to think ‘out loud’ about the direction that I want my classroom to be heading,” writes Chris Ludwig, a Biology, Chemistry, AP Biology, and Anatomy and Physiology teacher in La Junta, CO. “I’ve learned a lot about systems of assessment and grading and have changed my classroom practice as a result of interactions with other educators through the blog.” Recommended posts: “Social media and the death of “standardized” testing” and “I felt like I was teaching myself!”
Wisdom Begins with Wonder – This science teacher works on a major Indian Reservation in Washington, and his blog posts reflect his passion for technology integration and research-based instructional practices. Recommended posts: “What to do when students resist inquiry” and “The inquiry teacher’s toolbox.”
Your English Class – “What I’ve learned the most is that the blog provides me a wonderful creative outlet,” writes Thomas Fasano. “It makes me feel connected. I know this is true because I hear from teachers all the time. They offer me my best encouragement.” Thomas went onto explain that the purpose of his blog is to give him an incentive to seek new resources, and to develop connections with a broader Teacher/Learning Network. “It pushed me to be more creative in my thinking,” he explains, “it provides me with a forum to clarify my thinking about teaching…it gives me an arena to share my resources and materials…[and] it offers me writing opportunities on issues and concepts I have a passion about. The blog is a place where I try out ideas and articulate my thinking before engaging in formal writing.” Recommended posts: “New David Foster Wallace Fiction in the New Yorker” and “Washington Irving.”
International
A Difference – Darren Kuropatwa is a math teacher from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and uses his blog to discuss a variety of different educational issues such as how to use technology in the classroom and the future of textbooks. Recommended posts: “The problem with math education…” and “That’s Really Hard Work.”
Beyond School – Clay Burell is a literature and history teacher, and has previously taught in Chattanooga, Los Angeles, Oregon, Germany, China, and Korea, but currently teaches in Singapore. Recommended posts: “Why ‘Academic Excellence’ No Longer Cuts It Today” and “Teaching Grammar on the Titanic: On Fear and Irrelevance in Education.”
The Clever Sheep – Rodd Lucier teaches a Student Success course in London, Ontario, Canada, and writes that the sole purpose of his blog is to “promote the use of modern learning tools.” When asked to explain what he has learned as a teacher since he has started blogging, Rodd writes that “the power of networked learning is the key takeaway to date.” Recommended posts: “Creative Commons: What Every Educator Needs to Know” and “Skype in the Classroom: A Sneak Peak.”
I Hope This Old Train Breaks Down… – “I blog so that I can network with other like-minded math teachers and to gather their feedback as I reflect upon my own learning and teaching,” writes Mimi Yang, a Geometry and Precalculus teacher in El Salvador. (Mimi also has experience teaching Algebra 1 and 2, and will be teaching in Germany next year). “There is an amazing network of resources out there!” she writes.”Math teachers on the web collectively have so much information and insights to share and offer. We’re all thinking about different issues, as we are all teaching in very different environments and working with very different children. But, just reading about other teachers’ own professional reflections day in and day out is so refreshing and energizing.” Recommended posts: “Best Group Work Ever!” and “Visualizing Operations on Functions.”
Large Q Quality – “The sole purpose of my blog is to be a way for me to reflect on my teaching practices, to share my process of learning about best practices, and to connect to other teachers who are also interested in improving their teaching and learning,” writes Barbara Gajda, a math, science and Biology teacher in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. “My blog is just one aspect of my digital PLN. Most of my learning comes from Twitter and connecting with the blogs of other teachers. Most significantly, my philosophy and methods of assessment has been most radically changed.” Recommended posts: “Pondering motivation” and “Alternative to traditional final exam: a proposal.”
MathsClass -Simon Job is a teacher from Western Sydney, Australia, and the majority of the posts on his blog touch on how to use technology to create lessons and lesson materials in the classroom. Recommended posts: “Online picture graphs” and “Double Strength Cordial and Ratio.”
On an e-Journey with Generation Y – “My home is on a farm, near a small rural town called Hawkesdale, Australia,” writes Anne Mirtschin. “I teach at Hawkesdale P12 College, a prep to year 12 school that is isolated geographically and culturally.” (Anne teaches Information and Communications Technology and Accounting to a group of 14 to 18 year-old students). “My writing style and written comment has improved considerably, my network has expanded, it has motivated and engaged me. It has made me reflect on what effective blogging is, on what I am doing and achieving and also the directions that I need to take. I have learnt more about my students from reading their blogs. A blog can become a complete Learning Management System for classes.” Anne went on to explain that the sole purpose of her blog is “to map the eLearning Journey that I and my classes are taking, reflect on this journey and share with others how to go on a similar journey.” Recommended posts: “This Week’s Tech Talk Tuesdays and eT@lking” and “Twitter for Teachers.”
Mr. Robbo – The P.E Geek - Jarrod Robinson is a Physical Education and Outdoor Education and Health teacher from small country town called Boort in Australia, and he writes that the sole purpose of his blog is to “provide teachers with simple ways to include emerging technologies in physical education.” When asked to explain what he has learned as a teacher since he has started blogging, Jarrod writes that he has learned of the “incredible power” of networking and sharing ideas. Recommended posts: “New Possibilities in Physical Education” and “100 + Ways To Use Technology In Physical Education.”
Mr Teacher UK – “I started blogging about work as a way of venting my frustrations about teaching in an anonymous format, as a way of discussing education issues and policies with other people,” writes “Mr. Teacher,” who teaches Key Stages 3 and 4 in London, England. “I think that I have since become a more reflective teacher and I am definitely more industry-aware.”Recommended posts: “On The Edge” and “Katharine Birbalsingh.”
My Classroom - “I have been using Moodle for the past 5 years but started this blog mostly as a reflective and as a modelling tool,” writes Jacob Martens, a science and physics teacher from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Jacob went on to explain that his posts serve as not only a notice board for parents and students, but also a place where he can post questions that invite and require student responses and discussions. “Since I have starting blogging I learned several things including…being public with your thinking is a comfortable thing but [also] that writing publicly helps one to see more clearly what you hold dear…Using the class blog has made me look at my classroom more closely than I did before [and keeps me] more mindful of what happens during classtime.” Jacob also maintains another educational blog, Renovating My Classroom, which he uses to “share what I am learning in my role as a mentor.” Recommended posts: “Science Mentoring Program for Girls” and “How Organ Systems Work Together.”
Room 611 - “I created the blog in order to serve as a daily communication vessel with parents,” writes Andrew Young, who teaches Geography, Earth & Space Science, Crimonology, Law, and Social Studies in Courtney, British Columbia, Canada. (Andrew also teaches a 400 level secondary course in the Faculty of Education at the University of British Columbia during the summer). “Too often I find that the parents of high school students are unaware of what goes on in their child’s classroom. The blog both communicates what we do and provides some transparency for parents (in order for them to see what curriculum we cover). I also created the blog for students who are unable to attend classes for whatever reason. All the information along with assignments and on-line links can be accessed by my students at any time. As such, there should be no one left out or left behind.” Recommended posts: “Friday, March 4. 2011” and “Friday, March 11. 2011.”
Teach Science (.net) – “If my blog had only a sole purpose, I probably wouldn’t bother,” writes Ed Hitchcock. “I started TeachScience to share my experiences, to explore ideas and bounce them off my peers, to make my practices transparent, to have fun, and to learn. And stuff.” Ed is from Toronto, Canada, and currently teaches general Science and AP Physics, and he previously taught AP Biology, Computer Science, and math. Ed went also explains that one thing he has learned from bloggin is that “there are others like me, doing and sharing and writing, who want to share their ideas as much as I do.” Recommended posts: “Student quotes” and “DIY personalized, randomized assignments.”
Technoscience - “My blog started as a place to collect links to valuable resources for teaching and learning, including web2.0 tools useful in education,” explains Britt Gow, a science, math, Biology and Environmental Science teacher in the south west of Victoria, Australia. “I used it to reflect on teaching strategies and as a professional journal. The blog also included lesson planning and classroom tasks for students. Recently the global teacher platform has been restructured and I took this opportunity to separate my professional blog for teachers from my classroom blog for students…In the three years I have been blogging, I have learnt about the power of social networking tools to build a professional learning network and, in turn, share ideas and resources. I have connected with teachers from around the globe to collaborate on classroom projects and assist my students to have a more global perspective. Reflecting on my own teaching strategies helps me to improve my teaching and blogging assists me to plan, implement and gain feedback on student learning.” Recommended posts: “The Water Cycle” and “The Carbon Cycle – ‘My Life as a Carbon Atom.’”
Webmaths “The purpose of my blog – Webmaths – is to help other Mathematics teachers around the world reflect on their teaching. It shares examples of teaching, images, worksheets, use of technology, videos, problems to solve, games to play, book and blog reviews, humor, and links to other web resources,” writes Jeff Trevaskis, who lives in Northern Victoria, which has been termed the “food bowl” of Australia because it is surrounded by fruit orchards, beef and dairy farms, and a variety of ther crops. Jeff currently teaches mathematics but has previously taught science, Psychology, Industry & Enterprise, Outdoor Education and Business Management. “Since starting my Webmaths blog over 2 years ago, I have improved my teaching through reflection, creating new resources and networking with other teachers. My ICT skills have also improved greatly.” Recommended posts: “Risk Your Algebra Skills” and “Motivating Mathematics.”
Wright’s Room – Shelley Wright is a high school teacher from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada, and uses her blog to discuss a number of different educational issues like the learning revolution and college prep for high school students. Recommended posts: “School ain’t what it used to be?” and “Synthesis.”
MFR
Whiskey Teeth
The Broken Speaker
Said the Gramaphone
The Blue Walrus
Breaking More Waves
Listen Before You Buy
Altered Zones
21k12: celebrating 21st century K-12 education
