From The Teacher Shepherd: Why I’m Not A Union Member
Title: Why I’m Not A Union Member Author: Kate Bowers Date: March 31, 2020 “The laughter of children tumbling through school hallways is a beautiful sound. They jostle into the classroom, conversing at light speed, louder and louder. To quiet and focus them is an art, and likewise giving them a platform for expressing their ideas. All of us want […]
From The Teacher Shepherd: Social And Emotional And Learning: Except, School’s Out
Title: Social And Emotional And Learning: Except, School’s Out Author: Kate Bowers Date: March 23, 2020 “…”Today is food pantry day!” Whitney* said with a smile as we walked down the school corridor. I frowned and asked the second grader if there was a school food pantry every day? “No, just Friday’s,” she said. I’d just met this little one, […]
From The Teacher Shepherd: Social And Emotional And Learning: Hi, Mom!
Title: Social And Emotional And Learning: Hi, Mom! Author: Kate Bowers Date: March 12, 2020 “Everything went well until it was time for the frosting. We were out of powdered sugar! I begged Mom to go to the store and get me some – the cake would be ruined if it didn’t have the right frosting! “No,” she said, and […]
From The Teacher Shepherd: Social And Emotional And Learning: If She’d Been My Sister
Title: Great Teachers: Serve Author: Kate Bowers Date: March 4, 2020 “My third-grade teacher encouraged me to be friends with Tara*. Even at a young age, we knew which of our classmates “had it good at home,” and who didn’t. Tara’s desk never stayed still, as her every move was forceful, almost angry. Tara was obviously in emotional distress. She […]
From The Teacher Shepherd: Great Teachers: Serve
Title: Great Teachers: Serve Author: Kate Bowers Date: February 6, 2020 “It’s no wonder I consider her my “favorite” teacher. Mrs. Cloffer* provided me with separate reading activities. Only now, as a teacher myself, do I understand the extra effort that took. She was generous with her time. Once, she had dinner at our house! Another time, she took my […]
From The Teacher Shepherd: School Choice: It’s Not Just For Kids
Title: School Choice: It’s Not Just For Kids Author: Kate Bowers Date: January 28, 2020 “I never expected my career to take such a turn: a hard left right out of the classroom. My salary is gone, my belief in my efficacy as a teacher is hanging on by a thread, and what choices do I have? What school choices […]
