February, 2019 - Porter Has Class

The Most Important Thing in Education

Post published:February 26, 2019
Post category:Blog

I was moved to write this blog after an experience with one of my 8th grade students today. Yesterday, for whatever reason, Little Susie decided to look at my classroom library. She said that she wanted to start reading again. After she looked for a bit, I grabbed a book and told her that I bet she would like it. She looked at it and asked what it was about. She read the back of the book and decided to check it out. The next day, the first moment I saw her in the hallway, she said, “How did you…

The Secret Lives of Teachers: Part 2

Post published:February 24, 2019
Post category:Blog

The “Secret Lives of Teachers” - the taboo subject that no one is supposed to talk about, right? Let’s face it, we all have private lives. Sometimes our private lives can have a great effect on our professional and social lives. As I revealed in a previous blog, “The Secret Lives of Teachers,” my secret life is that my wife and I have been unable to conceive children. Furthermore, I explained that we decided to begin a journey into IVF (in vitro fertilization). If you’d like to know more about the beginning stages of that journey, I encourage you to…

A Teacher’s Valentine’s Day Surprise

Post published:February 17, 2019
Post category:Stories

There are few sweeter things than receiving a gift from a young child who is only giving through the goodness and innocence of his or her heart. Valentine’s Day occurred this week, and many of you celebrated in your own ways. There are many who can recall vivid memories of Valentine’s during their childhood. Some of you may have even shared that special day with a teacher who you loved so much that you gave them a gift. While many teachers may remember their Valentine’s Day at school as: Others experienced things they will cherish forever. A small percentage experienced…

State of the Union: The Educator’s Rebuttal

Post published:February 10, 2019
Post category:Blog

The State of the Union has finally came and gone. The SOTU postponement, government shutdown, and the always controversial Donald Trump all contribute to the extra attention the address received this year. All of that being said, I am an educator and not a politician. So, what is the State of Education? PEOPLE ARE DISSATISFIED A 2018 Gallup Poll did a public poll showing that 55% of Americans are somewhat or completely dissatisfied with the education their child receives. It has to be teachers’ faults, right? According to that same poll, only 6% feel their child’s teachers are doing a…