I have been a classroom teacher, in 2nd and 3rd grades for 37 years. In that time, there have been mind-boggling changes in education. One thing that has not changed is the tremendous importance of a dedicated teacher who invests him or herself in children and their future. The work is demanding, day in and day out. It is much simpler to let the little things slide. But I have learned that setting high expectations and holding students to them makes all the difference.
I started, years ago, creating my own teaching materials because I was so frustrated with the commercial stuff. I have continued to write and create. When my district gives me a new textbook, I write my own version of the support material and it always meets the needs of my students much better than that provided.
