Teaching Blog

An Edugeek’s Guide to K-12 Practice and Policy

Megan M. Allen is a National Board-certified teacher, the 2010 Florida Teacher of the Year, an eternal optimist, and an overall edugeek. Allen taught for nine years as a 4th and 5th grade teacher in Tampa, Fla., and then served as the developer and director of the Master of Arts in Teacher Leadership at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Mass. Follow her on Twitter: @redhdteacher. This blog is no longer being updated.

Education Opinion Why Aren't We Doing What Is Best for Young Learners?
Is meaningful play the same as learning? We think so.
Megan M. Allen, December 21, 2016
2 min read
Education Opinion How Teacher Leaders Can Face the 'Rabble-Rouser Dementor'
Ever take a professional risk that others questioned? Here are some considerations before you take the leap, or after you have earned the label.
Megan M. Allen, December 16, 2016
4 min read
Education Opinion #WarpEd: Is Cursive Writing a Thing of the Past?
Will someone in the future be able to decipher long lost cursive hieroglyphics?
Megan M. Allen, December 1, 2016
1 min read
Education Opinion Giving Thanks: An Open Letter to the Community That Served as My Roots and Trunk
Just like autumn leaves falling from their trees, at times we have to begin the task of letting go. But we must remember the roots that ground us.
Megan M. Allen, November 22, 2016
7 min read
Education Opinion How to Battle the Dementor of Isolation
Teacher leadership can be isolating. Here are 4 tips to stop, collaborate, and listen.
Megan M. Allen, November 15, 2016
4 min read
Education Opinion He Holds the Future of U.S. Public Education in His Hands
The pros and cons of Gerard Robinson, former FL state chief and Trump K-12 transition team co-leader
Megan M. Allen, November 10, 2016
8 min read
Education Opinion The Second Dementor of Teacher Leadership: Saying "Yes"
Strategies to prevent getting crispy around the edges from stretching ourselves too thin
Megan M. Allen, October 31, 2016
6 min read
Education Opinion Homework Policy: What is Going on in Your School? #WarpEdU
Homework: Love it or hate it. What is best for kids?
Megan M. Allen, October 22, 2016
1 min read
Education Opinion The Dementors Facing Teacher Leaders (and How to Defeat Them)
A Story to Defeat Self-Doubt (and Help Others Do the Same)
Megan M. Allen, October 21, 2016
4 min read
Education Opinion More Tips on Fine-Tuning Our Teacher Advocacy
More tips for teacher advocates: How we can work better with policymakers.
Megan M. Allen, October 11, 2016
6 min read
Education Opinion What We Are Missing as Teacher Advocates: Teaching vs. Telling
Many teachers miss the mark by seeing advocacy as a telling experience versus a teaching experience. Blogger Megan Allen breaks down several tips so that doesn't happen.
Megan M. Allen, October 10, 2016
4 min read
Education Opinion Brangelina: What Celebrity Divorce Can Teach Us About Education
How Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie can help us improve public education.
Megan M. Allen, September 26, 2016
5 min read
Education Opinion School Choice: Follow the Money
School choice puts a financial strain on our public schools: Agree or disagree?
Megan M. Allen, September 22, 2016
1 min read
Education Opinion Spice Up Your Student Group Work: A Self-Selection Tool
How do you improve student collaboration? Have your learners self-select roles based on their strengths!
Megan M. Allen, September 19, 2016
1 min read