Jhuricks

State Testing Season

If you’re an educator or the parent of a school aged child, you are more than aware that we are in the middle of the Spring testing season. Over the next few weeks schools across the nation will begin the process of administering state exams. This yearly process elicits strong emotions among stakeholders. During myContinue reading “State Testing Season”

Powerful Experience

This school year has been taxing for me in several ways. I feel like my physical and mental health have both been affected negatively. I definitely needed something to propel me forward for the next few weeks. The thing that I needed was finally here, the annual Men On A Mission dinner and discussion. ThisContinue reading “Powerful Experience”

Administrator Preparedness

As with most jobs, you don’t know how to do the job until you DO the job. Being a school leader is no different. Universities teach you theory but nothing equates to living and working through situations with people. How do we bridge the gap between educational leadership curriculums and real experience? Most Masters programsContinue reading “Administrator Preparedness”

Components of School Improvement

School improvement is an ongoing conversation across the country. There have been millions of dollars spent on research and programs that promise to help schools achieve better performance. In my opinion, there are resources that don’t receive enough attention for the impact that they have on school improvement, the teachers and staff that work inContinue reading “Components of School Improvement”

The Value of A Professional Learning Network

Work is hard when you do it alone. This is especially true in Education. Things are more bearable when you can share the load. Due to our human nature, we can sometimes feel that we’re in a situation on our own. This is why having people in your circle that know and understand the natureContinue reading “The Value of A Professional Learning Network”

25-26

Entering my twenty-first year in education I’ve had mixed emotions. There have been moments over the past month that have made me question if I’m on the right path. There are some things that are weighing on me heavily, but I know I have a job to do. For the first time in my career,Continue reading “25-26”

Decreased Engagement and Performance As Students Matriculate

Students are here to learn, not to be entertained. I taught it, they didn’t learn it. I get paid if students learn or if they don’t. Have you heard these statements from educators at some point? These may not have been the exact words, but some version of this has been uttered at one timeContinue reading “Decreased Engagement and Performance As Students Matriculate”

Black Men in Education

We are the few, the proud. No, we are not the Marines. We are Black men in education. There’s not that many of us, especially at the Elementary school level. What are some of the reasons for the low numbers and what can we do to change this trend? According to USAfacts.org, Black men makeContinue reading “Black Men in Education”

Assessment Fatigue

In every industry workers deal with assessments. When you are seeking a certification, there’s an assessment. If you are earning an advanced degree, you will have a series of assessments. Education is no different. Our students have different assessments that they are required to take. How are assessments affecting our students? During the school yearContinue reading “Assessment Fatigue”

Everyone Needs A Mentor

“Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction” . Everyone needs someone in their corner, rooting for them to succeed. A good mentor does just that. They walk alongside you and provide guidance when needed. I was assigned a mentor during my first year of teaching.Continue reading “Everyone Needs A Mentor”