Dear Parents: Every Child Deserves An Audience. Stay In Your Seat. And Shut Up.

Mamacita says:  I’ve posted about this subject before, but with the approach of holiday season, it’s on my mind again, so I’ve written a new post about this same thing. We’re tired.  We work all day and in the evenings, … Continue reading

Zero Tolerance? Don't Get Me Started. . . .

Mamacita says:  It looks so good on paper.  You know, like communism and NCLB.  The problem with all these things is this: they don’t work. Like an expensive dog with elite genealogy papers and a genetic flaw,  they’ll all eventually … Continue reading

Crabby Appleton Lives Here

Mamacita says:  I am very grouchy tonight. I’m not sure why – yes, I do* – but I’m really flashbacking to one parent conference after another: conferences that took place eight and ten and more years ago, even.  What the … Continue reading

"Slow Down" My Aunt Fanny

Mamacita says:  I hated elementary school, and by “hated” what I really mean is, well, HATED. I learned to read when I was really little, but I have never read as most other people do.  When I read, I look … Continue reading

Them Ol' Midterm Blues. . . .

Mamacita says: Midterms are next week.  Bummer. You see, I really like most of my students, and it makes me sad to see so many of them stressing over their midterm tests.  Some of my students have several different midterm … Continue reading