Sitting in my western style hotel room, sitting in a comfortable bed sipping coffee and watching CNN, I might think I’m at home in America.  Then I hear the faint strains of the morning prayers broadcast outside, and am instantly clear that outside this window is a completely different world than what I’m used to.

After only 76 hours in Indonesia I’m beginning to understand some of the systems.  The Indonesian people are all about hospitality and helpfulness, even when they don’t speak my language.  I’m having a hard time learning Indonesian phrases – for some reason, they don’t hit my ear correctly and I cannot memorize even the simplest words.

I’ve learned not to take photos in a grocery store, to use my hand in a downward flat palm position when I need to push through a crowd (personal space is very limited), and that cold Bintang beer tastes great after a day hanging out with a Komodo dragon in the 91 degree humid weather

I’ve learned that teachers in Indonesia worry about many of the same things we do in the US – how to celebrate and teach diversity, how to engage students who are more interested in social media than school, and how to preserve their cultural identity, all on a salary of $150-$300/month.

Today I begin teaching in a religious boarding school.  I’m hopeful that I make easy connections with the students and can understand what we can do to make our world a little bit better by working together.  I know the Indonesian people are as eager to learn from us as I am from them!

Please follow my adventure on travels with mamawolfe – you’ll realize that we’re really more alike than we are different!

Jennifer Wolfe

Jennifer Wolfe, a writer-teacher-mom, is dedicated to finding the extraordinary in the ordinary moments of life by thinking deeply, loving fiercely, and teaching audaciously. Jennifer is a Google Certified Educator, Hyperdoc fanatic, and a voracious reader. Read her stories on her blog, mamawolfe, and grab free copies of her teaching and parenting resources.

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Last month I found an overwhelming amount of education issues to write about – many centering on the theme of change.  As budgets are passed, classrooms are shut down for the summer and teachers take a much deserved rest, people are talking about changes to come in the upcoming year.

I wonder how seriously people are thinking about education, instead of just reacting to what is put before them.  If we really think about how these changes are going to effect our children, maybe we can move forward and make progress.

From test scores to class sizes, athletic privledges to charter schools, bullying and the achievement gap, teacher rankings and critical thinking, I’m interested to hear what you think.  For the full text of each article, please click on the links below:

Large Class Sizes Mean 60 seconds or Less Per Student

Special “Bill of Rights” For Athletes


For student athletes at USC, UCLA, UC Berkeley and Stanford, Senate Bill 1525 may change their futures. The bill, scheduled for the Assembly on June 27, is nicknamed the “studentbill of rights” because it seeks to allow athletes to keep scholarships even if injured, to provide life skills, health insurance and financial workshops. It would also allow student athletes to transfer schools, keeping their scholarships with them. At this time, other schools would only be affected if their media revenue exceeds $10 million.

Charter Schools Discriminate Against Students With Disabilities

Practical Parenting Tips for the SAT

Parenting can often seem like a series of tests, some more critical than others. For college-bound teens and their parents, however, the SATs are some of the most challenging. If you’re a first time parent of a teenager, navigating the college admissions process can be a series of frustration. By following a few tips, you can help your child have a successful SAT experience.

Texas Against Teaching Critical Thinking

The Texas Republican Party has released their 2012 platform, and it illustrates why so many of the state’s students are leaving high school uneducated. Their main target seems to be the state’s education system, which, if the document is put into effect, will authorize teachers to utilize corporal punishment, will deny undocumented immigrants to enter school, and will deny children mandatory pre-school and kindergarten. As if that wasn’t bad enough, the really amazing part is their assertion that schools no longer teach higher-level critical thinking skills.

School Bus Monitor Bullying

I spend a good part of my life defending teenagers. Daily, I see the supreme good that they embody, despite their negative portrayal in movies, music and media. I sympathize with the angst of puberty, middle school, and the pressure of growing up. But after watching the YouTube video of bus monitor Karen Klein being harassed and bullied, I am disgusted.

Educational Philosophies and the Achievement Gap

 Teachers in the United States know about competing philosophies in education. We call it the “swing of the pendulum” as one strategy, philosophy or system after another enters our school districts and purports to be the best way to reach kids and raise test scores. According to The Huffington Post, competing philosophies are not working to bridge the achievement gap for our country’s poorest students.

New York Teacher Rankings to be Publicized?

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg wants all fourth through eighth-grade parents to know about their child’s teacher — not just their name, educational background and classroom rules, but their test score ranks, too.

illustration via Pinterest

Jennifer Wolfe

Jennifer Wolfe, a writer-teacher-mom, is dedicated to finding the extraordinary in the ordinary moments of life by thinking deeply, loving fiercely, and teaching audaciously. Jennifer is a Google Certified Educator, Hyperdoc fanatic, and a voracious reader. Read her stories on her blog, mamawolfe, and grab free copies of her teaching and parenting resources.

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ACK!  Two weeks from today I will begin my Indonesia adventure to Jakarta and Tangerang as part of a US Department of Education grant to study global learning.  And yes, I’m a touch nervous.

Not sure exactly where Indonesia is?  It’s a country made up of over 17,000 islands between Australia and Thailand.  Over 238 million people inhabit Indonesia and speak over 700 different languages, making it the fourth most populous country in the world!  87% of Indonesians identify themselves as Muslim, which will make my trip during Ramadan that much more unique.

Despite my absolute excitement about traveling to another new country, I can’t help but have a bit of anxiety about the trip…, knowing I’ll be so far away from home.

If you like to travel, or just want to live vicariously through my adventures, I hope that you’ll venture over to my travel blog, travels with mamawolfe, and follow me as I set out for Jakarta on July 17.

I could really use your company!  And remember – it’s a lot less expensive to travel with mamawolfe!

Jennifer Wolfe

Jennifer Wolfe, a writer-teacher-mom, is dedicated to finding the extraordinary in the ordinary moments of life by thinking deeply, loving fiercely, and teaching audaciously. Jennifer is a Google Certified Educator, Hyperdoc fanatic, and a voracious reader. Read her stories on her blog, mamawolfe, and grab free copies of her teaching and parenting resources.

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One of my favorite aspects of teaching is keeping update with new technology, and finding exciting ways to capture my student’s interest.  Many people use social media like Facebook and Twitter outside the classroom, but at a recent training I attended, I learned about how teachers can use Twitter inside the classroom, and I thought it was awesome!  Please enjoy the guest post below, and let me know what you think!

When it comes to social media in the classroom, some educators remain skeptical. These individuals think that Twitter does not have a place in the classroom and that the only purpose it would serve would be as a distraction.

But Twitter can actually be extremely beneficial to both students and teachers, but too many schools are refusing to see these benefits, eliminating the site from school computers. Most schools just suffer from pure ignorance to the advantages.

1. Continue the lecture.
It is sometimes hard for teachers to present all of their information during the allotted classroom time. Instead of trying to rush through all the information, Twitter allows teachers to continue the lecture even when class is over. Teachers can use Twitter to provide students with links to videos or websites that provide more information about they topic they’re currently learning. This allows teacher to ensure that their students are receiving all the information relating to the topic so that they’re not missing out on any important details.

2. Students can share notes.
Taking notes is essential to education, and if a student misses a day of school, it can be difficult to catch up on the notes taken during the day they missed. With Twitter, both teachers and students can provide links to websites where students can find information or notes about what they missed in class. Now, students who are sick don’t have to spend a great deal of time trying to catch up.

3. Students can learn more on their own.
Thanks to the use of hashtags, students can easily find information via Twitter about topics they’re learning in school. They can gain knowledgeable information from others who are discussing the same topic, and they can even join in conversations that are taking place on the web. This allows students to hear perspective from people other than their teacher, and it can be a great way to help them gain more information for the test.

4. Use the technology for homework.
Instead of sending students home with worksheets, send homework to Twitter. The teacher can post questions via Twitter and have students answer them on the site. It’s also a great way for teachers to provide help for students outside of the classroom. A student can reach out to a teacher when they have questions, helping them gain information when they’re studying.

5. Send reminders to your class.
How often are students saying “I forgot” when it comes to class assignments or tests? Twitter can alleviate this issue. Teachers can send reminders to their students about projects or assignments that are due or remind them about upcoming tests. This way, students will have reminders to provide them with ample time to study or finish projects.

6. Keep parents involved.
If parents are on Twitter, it’s a great way for them to stay up to date with their child’s education. Parents can use Twitter to join discussions with teachers to find out what their child is learning and if they need any extra help. Parents can also find out assignments from the teacher to make sure that their child is keeping up with assignments and projects and that they’re amply studying for tests.

So before educators and parents start ruling out Twitter in the classroom, they should instead find out the benefits associated with it first, and then they may start singing a different tune.

Ben Myers is a college English professor.  He is currently grading a huge stack of essays on Of Mice and Men.  In his spare time, Ben likes to study about learning methods and learning disabilities.

Jennifer Wolfe

Jennifer Wolfe, a writer-teacher-mom, is dedicated to finding the extraordinary in the ordinary moments of life by thinking deeply, loving fiercely, and teaching audaciously. Jennifer is a Google Certified Educator, Hyperdoc fanatic, and a voracious reader. Read her stories on her blog, mamawolfe, and grab free copies of her teaching and parenting resources.

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Are your kids starting to get bored with summer already?  Are you wondering how to spend your vacation in a meaningful way?  I hope you enjoy today’s guest post, and find something to do that makes your summer special!

Some people take vacations to get away from the stress of their everyday lives. Others like to take trips that will teach them something. If you have children, taking educational vacations is a great way to keep your child learning, especially during summer vacation.

You can find educational vacations in every part of the world. The following are just a few suggestions.

1. Historical Sites
Places such as Washington DC, Philadelphia and St. Augustine all have historical landmarks that you can visit to learn more about history. Most of these locations have buildings that are still around, and some even have tours that you can take to learn more information. These types of vacations are a great way to keep your family educated, and it’s a great place to learn about the history of our country, and even the history of some other countries. You can opt to visit famous historical landmarks, or you can opt to visit those lesser known ones, depending on where you’re traveling.

2. National Parks
Taking trips to national parks is another great educational vacation. The Grand Canyon, the Rocky Mountains and even Death Valley are all national parks that offer an array of education and enjoyment. You can hike, take tours, take pictures and even camp out at most national parks. If you’re lucky, you’ll even get to see plants and animals in their natural habitats, which is an experience unlike any other.

3. Zoos
Though it may not seem like a vacation, taking trips to the zoo is another educational trip. Zoos offer a great deal of information about the animals, from their evolution to basic habits to habitats and much more. Plus, taking a trip to the zoo is far less expensive than taking a trip out of state, so you can provide a great deal of education to your children without spending a great deal of money. Most zoos will have information around the zoo that you can use to learn, or you may want to pick up an educational brochure or indulge in a guided tour of the zoo to learn as much as you can.

4. Large Cities
If you live near a large city, you may be able to find some education there too. Most large cities have historical buildings or have experienced historical events, and these are great to see, tour and simply learn about. Some just have great stories and great sights to see.

The best way to gain some education from a large city is to take a tour. Some tours are by bus while others, such as Chicago, even offer boat tours. If you visit a large city in your state, you may be surprised at the events that took place in your town throughout the years, and it will captivate you to learn how old certain buildings are.

If you’re interested in taking an educational trip, you have plenty of historical and national landmarks that you can visit, or you can simply take a trip to your local zoo or large city to experience a new wealth of knowledge.

Ben Myers is a college English professor.  He is currently grading a huge stack of essays on Of Mice and Men.  In his spare time, Ben likes to study about learning methods and learning disabilities.

Jennifer Wolfe

Jennifer Wolfe, a writer-teacher-mom, is dedicated to finding the extraordinary in the ordinary moments of life by thinking deeply, loving fiercely, and teaching audaciously. Jennifer is a Google Certified Educator, Hyperdoc fanatic, and a voracious reader. Read her stories on her blog, mamawolfe, and grab free copies of her teaching and parenting resources.

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