Professional Development Blog

A Place at the Table

Susan Graham taught family and consumer science (formerly “home ec”) for 25 years. She is a National Board-certified teacher, a former regional Virginia teacher of the year, and a Fellow of the Teacher Leaders Network. In this opinion blog, Graham invited readers to pull a chair up to her virtual table as she offered her voice-of-experience perspective on teaching today, with a special focus on teacher leadership and continuous professional growth. This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: teacher leaders, teacher PD.

Education Opinion A Wonderful Gift
As the holidays begin early, I wonder if my students are having a White Christmas, just like the ones they used to know when they were small.
Susan Graham, December 21, 2009
3 min read
Education Opinion What Goes Around Comes Around
Edu-conomists have introduced marketplace principles to public educaation. But buyer beware! When you get what you pay for may, you many not be buying you want.
Susan Graham, December 9, 2009
4 min read
Education Opinion (D) All of the Above
Are you A) an Idealist (B) Disheartened (C) Contented? If Public Agenda insists on bubble sheet answers, it seems that they should have included (D) All of the Above.
Susan Graham, November 24, 2009
5 min read
Education Opinion They're Not Your Children
When schools demand that children assume the position of mini adults, academic success may come at the price of the spontaneity and creativity that marks childhood.
Susan Graham, November 15, 2009
3 min read
Education Opinion Cutting Edge or Blunt Instrument?
In sixth grade Family and Consumer Science, students learn to "Use correct tools and use tools correctly." Shouldn't that principle hold when school leadership is selecting and implementing tools to evaluate teacher effectiveness?
Susan Graham, November 5, 2009
4 min read
Education Opinion It's a Mystery?
Is childhood the best of times or the worst of times? Highlight Magazine asked and kids offered an intriguing response that teachers can relate to.
Susan Graham, October 30, 2009
2 min read
Education Opinion Inquiring Minds Want to Know
When education reformers talk to the press, how do teachers fair? Depends who you ask, says Susan Graham.
Susan Graham, October 22, 2009
4 min read
Education Opinion A Mess That's Out of Control
Sometimes the lessons children retain for a lifetime are the ones we never intended to teach.
Susan Graham, October 16, 2009
4 min read
Education Opinion Home Alone
No longer children but not quite young adults, parents struggle to find an after school solution that's just right for middle school latchkey kids who are often at risk when left home alone.
Susan Graham, October 9, 2009
4 min read
Education Opinion Run Run As Fast As You Can
Schools have been cutting back on PE and recess, but now new research indicates that running may increase brainpower. Will time on the track contribute to the Race to the Top?
Susan Graham, October 1, 2009
3 min read
Education Opinion A Pathway Worth Pursuing
When Robert Frost choose between two roads that diverged in the woods it made all the difference, but Mississippi is hoping that converging roads for college prep and career and technical education into career pathways will make the difference for their students by providing more options.
Susan Graham, September 24, 2009
4 min read
Education Opinion Tackling Performance Pay: Me and Albert Haynesworth
On Friday I was reading The Washington Post, and although I don't usually spend much time in the sports section, this headline got my attention:
Susan Graham, September 15, 2009
4 min read
Education Opinion What to Wear, or Not to Wear.... That is the Question
Stressing over what to wear is a back-to-school ritual for both students and teachers—and it does matter, says Susan Graham.
Susan Graham, September 7, 2009
3 min read
Education Opinion I Think I'm Feeling Sick, Secretary Duncan!
Does the government's plan for addressing the H1N1 influenza this fall align with the reality of what schools can do.
Susan Graham, August 26, 2009
5 min read