I started a new blog!

So I used to blog about my teaching experience way back in another life (in what felt like another world -- when I taught in Yuma, Arizona). And it got away from me when I moved to Los Angeles and life got busier. But...

I'm back!

In August of 2016 I accepted a new position at John Burroughs Middle School (JBMS) here in sunny southern California and I left the classroom for an office downstairs in the same school. I had been a language arts teacher for over eleven years (and I mixed in some math, science and art for good measure) and thought it might be time to take on a new challenge. I am now the English/History Instructional Coach at JBMS. And I love it!

It's been a busy year though. The superintendent came to visit (which basically is like the President or CEO coming to visit). We applied for Gold Ribbon status and were just officially granted the title last week. I've attended two conferences, one in San Diego and one in San Jose. I've gone on countless school visits and recruiting missions. We started an after school intervention program. We rolled out a brand new English curriculum. We are getting into the groove of our second year as an one-to-one iPad school. And it's only April...

It doesn't seem like a lot when you put it down on paper but our team has worked so many nights and weekends and early mornings (trust me when I say early, our normal start time is 7AM) that it truly has been quite a year, and we're not done yet.

So, the reason for the new blog?

I want to document the new phase that our school is entering and my experience with that. We're going to work towards becoming a STEAM school. Many of you may be familiar with the term STEM but STEAM adds a whole new element. We don't just look at Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, we add the Arts into the mix which is something that I believe is so important and so cool.

This will not be a quick or easy process, becoming a STEAM school. It'll take a lot of time and energy but we at JBMS believe it's important. Our kids are important. And we want to be the best educators we can be for them. So check back regularly. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram and on my Ms. Knapp Facebook page. Go on this journey with me! Share your own stories and ideas!

Full STEAM ahead!

Dream to STEAM!