I avidly recall a second grade class that would excitedly huddle around my rocking chair for story time. Students scrambled around sliding chairs to the carpet where I read heartwarming and sometimes zany tales, they reminded me that story time was counted among the most meaningful and cherished moments of a child’s day. Story time is a child’s portal into endless worlds, kingdoms, and dimensions.

I have lost count of the number of times I have been told that rules without relationships lead to rebellion. Yet today, relationships with students seem to be feared instead of embraced. Over the years, quite by accident, I have discovered that this precept from days gone by is critical to classroom rules and to learning itself. Relationships are an essential part of learning, especially relationships between teachers and students.

I'm an author of math books, which may sound like a dry job, but that’s exactly why I do it. It’s my goal to show kids that math can be fun (and funny!)

Often, we forget our students come to class each day with a lot more on their minds than academics. Despite this, my students willingly express gratitude each morning.

The world is in the midst of a technological revolution that has surpassed expectations, and I’m witnessing firsthand how growing up in this digital age is impacting our students.

Disciplinary problems were high, student achievement was low, and so was my patience. I knew I couldn’t do this again the following year, so I decided to change my approach.

Certain buzz words and topics come and go in the arena of education. Currently, the word to know is STEM, the acronym for science, technology, engineering, and math.

The digital world can either serve as a confidence-enhancer or self-esteem-suppressor, depending on how it is used.

Blending art and biology through hands-on paper-folding activities is a fun and unique way to engage students at the elementary level.