Tag Archives: teachers

Teachers on a four day trip to Washington DC with 130 8th graders

Posted on May 7, 2016 by jyourist

The photo above is what teachers indulge in when they are on a four day trip with 130 high energy and healthy 8th graders in Washington DC and they can’t have a drink. The photos below are some of what … Continue reading →

Posted in school, students, Teaching | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Reaping the results of the conscientious, earnest, and dedicated efforts of my colleagues

Posted on October 1, 2015 by jyourist

Yesterday my 8th graders had their first Around Table discussions of the year. The Around Table is a structure of formalized classroom discussion that allows the students to be totally in control of the conversation. They don’t raise their hands … Continue reading →

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“First Faculty Meeting of the Year” by Lisa Nikolidakis

Posted on August 31, 2015 by jyourist

Andy Thomason , a writer at The Chronicle, is actually collecting images of this completed bingo card, originally posted on McSweeneys. After your first faculty meeting (if you are so inclined), send your image to andy.thomason@chronicle.com and follow up with … Continue reading →

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Field trip on steroids

Posted on April 28, 2015 by jyourist

I’m in Washington DC with 125 8th graders and 12 colleagues for four days. No more need be said.

Posted in school | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

No skin in the game

Posted on February 10, 2015 by jyourist

After school today we had a department meeting. After some sharing of announcements, we got into an intense discussion concerning scheduling changes for the entire middle school. There were issues concerning the hours for Humanities classes being cut and a … Continue reading →

Posted in school, Teaching | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Guru Purnima

Posted on July 12, 2014 by jyourist

Today is the Indian festival of Guru Purnima, a celebration of  gratitude to teachers, both academic and spiritual. In sanskrit, gu means darkness or ignorance and ru means the remover of that darkness. Purnima means full moon and this day … Continue reading →

Posted in sacred, Teaching | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Peonies in December

Posted on December 12, 2013 by jyourist

For the past several years, I have served as president of our union. It has not been the easiest of responsibilities. It took enormous amounts of time and energy, and sometimes I found myself beset with issues that presented moral … Continue reading →

Posted in union, work | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

A three mile prom

Posted on May 12, 2012 by jyourist

Last night the union at our school sponsored a “prom” in the cafeteria for faculty, staff, and administration. The tongue-in-cheek event encouraged creative attire from Madonna a la “Desperately Seeking Susan” to tuxedoes and prom dresses and lots of jeans … Continue reading →

Posted in dance, music, school | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Teacher Appreciation Week: How We Can Show Teachers the Love

Posted on May 10, 2012 by jyourist

I worked with Bill Ayers for many years in the Golden Apple Scholars Program, working with education majors to become empowered and confident teachers, who advocate for their working conditions and for their students. He and his brother Rick have … Continue reading →

Posted in education, school, Teaching | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Who knew?

Posted on June 29, 2011 by jyourist

Before settling in and getting going on some artwork, I emptied my briefcase from work—mostly files and miscellaneous papers, much of which got trashed. Then I pulled out a blue-covered compilation that one of my students handed me on the … Continue reading →

Posted in poetry, school, Teaching, words | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments