I have fallen behind on the blog lately, but that is because I am actually trying to move forward some more in my personal life. Sometimes sacrifices are necessary parts of progress.

I wanted to take this opportunity to highlight a few of the great comments that I have received lately. I am interested in hearing more about how some of you run your classrooms effectively. This can include specific teaching techniques, classroom management (which we have gone over quite a bit in recent months), and socially.

I also am interested in hearing how you handle administrative issues that seem to pop up from time to time.

Out of the middle of nowhere, Jane wrote a lengthy and thoughtful comment on an article I wrote over half a year ago. Scroll to the bottom to check it out. I think this is great stuff. A quick excerpt:

In thirteen+ years of teaching I have worked for seven different principals in different schools, states and socioeconomic situations. I have worked for administrators at the pinnacle of their career when they have the school in ship shape and have the ease of life to manage the huge task of being principal. I have worked for principals at the brink of retirement when school boards are trying to push them out in favor of a newer model…

Also, I would like to revisit an article I wrote in November where I invited readers to chime in with some of the All Time Best Teaching Advice. It’s not too late… :)

Joel Wagner

Joel Wagner (@sywtt) began teaching band in 2002. Though he had a lot of information, his classes were out of control. He found himself tired, frustrated, disrespected by students, lonely, and on the brink of quitting. He had had enough. He resigned from his school district right before spring break of his second year and made it his personal mission to learn to be a great teacher. So You Want To Teach? is the ongoing story of that quest for educational excellence.