philosophy
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One Minute of Solitude
Two of my three classes this term have been, so far, focused yet energetic, respectful yet lively. The third has been a bit of a pain in the ass. This class meets from 4-6 in the afternoon – the worst possible time. They’re tired. I’m tired. Their brains are buzzing from a day’s worth of Continue reading
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how I saved my teaching career part 7: meditate!
The penultimate post in my series “How I Saved My Teaching Career” appeared on School Gate this morning. In this post, I describe how learning to meditate made me a better teacher. Continue reading
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Dear Auntie Siobhan #7: Helicopter Parent. Help!
My final guest post at Change.org’s education blog went up this morning. Today: what do I do when my (college) student’s parent won’t leave me alone? Big thanks to Clay Burell for inviting me to guest blog this week while he’s moving to Singapore and writing a (no doubt fabulous) book. “Dear Auntie Siobhan” will Continue reading
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Ask Auntie Siobhan #6: My Students are Passionate, but It Can Get Out of Hand
This morning at Change.org, Auntie Siobhan gives her thoughts on the question, “How can I encourage passionate engagement in my classroom without encouraging aggression?” It’s been quite a ride! My stint at Change.org ends tomorrow, but if you have questions for Auntie Siobhan, feel free to send them along, and she will respond here in Continue reading
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Ask Auntie Siobhan #4: My Students Won’t Put Their Phones Away
Today at Change.org, Auntie Siobhan addresses the question: What do I do about the scourge of cell phones in my classroom? Please come visit and leave your own advice. And if you have a question you’d like Auntie Siobhan to answer, write to me at siobhancurious@gmail.com. Continue reading
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Ask Auntie Siobhan #3: The Administration Says I’m to Blame for Student Problems
The third installment of Auntie Siobhan’s advice column appeared on Change.org’s education blog this morning. Today’s question: what do I do if the administration blames me for irrational student behavior? Go check it out, and leave your own advice! If you have questions for Auntie Siobhan, please email me at siobhancurious@gmail.com. Continue reading
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dear Auntie Siobhan, installment 2: an absent student is making me crazy
Today on Change.org’s education blog, Auntie Siobhan expounds on what to do when a student refuses to come to class (and thus ruins other people’s lives.) Please visit and leave your thoughts! And if you have a question for Auntie Siobhan, write to me at siobhancurious@gmail.com. Continue reading
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ask Auntie Siobhan, 1st installment: “All My Students Are Cheating!”
My new advice column, “Ask Auntie Siobhan,” debuted on Change.org’s education blog this morning. Today’s topic: why are so many of my students plagiarizing their papers? Please go visit and leave your reactions! And if you have a question for Auntie Siobhan, email me at siobhancurious@gmail.com. I’ll be answering one or two questions a day, Continue reading
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The Uses of Boredom
I became a reader because I was bored. I learned to read when I was about four years old, but, like most children, I read only picture books until I was seven. My parents brought me to the library every two weeks, and I filled up on library books at school as well, but picture Continue reading
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What’s to Like about School?
Did you like school? (Or, if you’re a student now, do you?) I’m reading Daniel T. Willingham’s Why Don’t Students Like School? It’s totally readable and very interesting, and I’ll post a review when I’m done. (I’ve also joined a reading group to discuss it, over at Dangerously Irrelevant; if you’ve been wanting to pick Continue reading
About Me
My job is to teach people to read and write; aside from that, I like to learn things.
Classroom as Microcosm 