Ah, the start of a new school year—fresh crayons, name tags on desks, and the excited buzz of parents and kids exploring their new kindergarten classrooms. It’s supposed to be a time of smiles and new beginnings, right? That’s what I thought as a brand-new elementary principal, eagerly preparing for my first Kindergarten Roundup. Little […]
Kindergarten Roundup and the Brawl in the Hall Read More »
This weekend, I caught up with a colleague from “across the pond.” He’s an administrator in Britain, and we always enjoy exchanging stories about the wild world of education in our respective countries. We often think the “You Can’t Make It Up” moments we encounter are unique to our school districts or even our countries,
Lighten the Load: Universal ‘You Can’t Make It Up’ Moments Read More »
Ah, summer! It’s the season of sun, fun, and local carnivals. Like clockwork, the festival rolls into town every year in my hometown, bringing with it a buzz of excitement. There’s nothing quite like clutching a strip of ride tickets, eyes wide with anticipation. As kids, we’d conquer the rollercoaster first, brave the dizzying heights
Stop The Ride – I WANT TO GET OFF! Read More »
If You Ask… Ah, the end of the school year. The time when students and teachers are both counting down the days, hours, and minutes until summer vacation. As an educator, we expect the unexpected, but every now and then, a moment comes along that You Just Can’t Make Up. Take, for instance, our sweet
One Little Finger Really Packs a Punch! Read More »
Every year, as predictable as the changing seasons, comes a surge of last-minute pleas and “special” requests that test our decision-making, our policies, and our patience. One memorable instance involved a request concerning a student’s science course options in middle school. The email request began typically enough, with a citation straight out of our district
Parents, Policies, and Pleas Read More »
In our latest journey into the less glamorous aspects of education, we’re exploring the turbulence and confusion caused by fictional—and sometimes anonymous—social media posts. Sound familiar? Unfortunately, this reality is all too common. Here’s what happens when digital dramas spill over into the hallways of our schools. The Situation: An anonymous parent posts a harrowing
Navigating “You Can’t Make It Up” Social Media Storms Read More »
Welcome back to our ‘You Can’t Make It Up’ series! This week, we’re sharing a memorable incident from an elementary school courtesy of one of our subscribers! Real names have been changed to protect the innocent – and sometimes not so innocent! The Situation: In Ms. Johnson’s third-grade classroom, a day that began like any
The Fizz Tablet Fiasco: A Classroom Mishap You Can’t Make Up Read More »
Welcome back to “You Can’t Make It Up Education,” where humor is key, and the stories are as real as they come. Today, I’m peeling back the curtain to share a personal experience—a “You Can’t Make It Up” moment from my own journey in education. Buckle up for a tale that involves a kindergarten round-up,
“Where It Started: An Early ‘You Can’t Make It Up’ Moment” Read More »
Welcome back to “You Can’t Make It Up Education,” where the stories are real and the journey continues. Today, let’s take a step back and delve into the moments that started it all—the “You Can’t Make It Up” moments that defined the early days of my career and, quite possibly, resonate with yours. In the
From Alone to Together: Navigating the You Can’t Make It Up Moments of Our Careers Read More »
Welcome to “You Can’t Make It Up Education,” a dynamic space where educators come together to explore the unpredictable and, often, downright unbelievable moments that define our shared journey in education. Life has a way of throwing unexpected challenges our way. In the field of education, these moments are often too bizarre, too perplexing, or
Embracing Reality: The Power of “You Can’t Make It Up” Moments in Education Read More »
