Dealing with a mean teacher or listening to a child who feels miserable in the classroom can be tough. We all want our children to be happy, and sometimes they come home with some stories that are so upsetting. But don’t worry, you’re not alone. Thousands of parents have heard their children complain of a…

As a teacher, it’s kind of heartbreaking when a child doesn’t seem to believe in himself. But when it’s my own kiddo, it’s even worse! My oldest child was born believing in herself. She has never met a problem she didn’t face with fierce determination. One of her earliest statements was “I do it myself!”…

Graduating kindergarten and demonstrating readiness for first grade is about so much more than counting and letter recognition. Most parents aren’t paying enough attention to behavioral and social skills that are necessary for continued growth. Many first grade reading programs are beginning to focus much more on fluency and comprehension, both of which require a…

I’ve got a pretty good eye for teenage boy reading material. Ya know, the safe kind that you’re thrilled for your kid to be reading. While I haven’t taught English to middle school boys since 2006-2008, I was much more recently a youth minister to kids ages 12-18. Currently, I am currently a literacy specialist…

There’s nothing worse than seeing the worried look on your kid’s face as they get out of the car each morning, with their shoulders hunched over like they’re carrying the weight of the world. Then, each afternoon, you find another negative comment from the teacher in their folder. Your once carefree child is on the…