Author Archives: Emily Garvey
The Hardest Thing About Institute
For me, the hardest part of Institute—harder than packing up and moving to a brand new city, harder than learning new kids and new content, harder than the long days and late nights—was the feedback. Let’s just say I’m not the ...
Why Every Teacher Should Embrace the Read Aloud
An unprompted exchange between two of my students last week: “I would rate the book 6.2 stars.” “Dude, it’s out of five!” “I know.” One of the key lessons that stuck with me from my Institute experience three years ago: Every teacher is a ...
Fighting Guilt to Take a Time-Out from Teaching
On the last day of Saturday tutorials, my absolute favorite seventh grade student stopped me in the hallway to give me the biggest hug. “I’m going to have Ms. Garvey again next year for eighth grade,” she stated confidently, and my ...
How Open-Ended Tests Revolutionized My Teaching
Call me crazy, but I love unit testing my seventh graders. On those days, there are no mandated number two pencils, no process-of-elimination strategies, and definitely no bubbles to fill in—just lots (and lots) of blank lines and the sweet ...
It's testing season and the clock is ticking. High-pressure countdowns, elaborate review games, new investment plans--every classroom is in overdrive right now. ...unless, like me, you happen to be one of the unmentionables: The teachers of untested subjects. Last year, there was ...
Prep For Year Three: How to Solidify Your Network
Filed under things I never thought I’d say: sometimes, I really wish I could transport back to my first or second year teaching. … Fine, that MIGHT be overkill. But midway through my third year in the classroom, I’ve already come ...
