Education
Not Much for Sitting Around
If you stare at a wooden shelf, littered with enormous books, over several years, the wood will start to bend. Or at least, that’s how I attempted to explain “shoulder surgery” to my ten and eleven year old students, so…
They Proved Me Wrong
Teaching is hard to explain. Even among those of us who do it. I’ve never seen a map or found a key that leads to or unlocks the door of student success. Honestly, it’s a different process and a different…
Looking Inward
This week, I stayed at school until after seven for three consecutive days, first to prepare a set of reviews, second to prepare a set of tests, and finally, to grade the results of all 72 kids. But in the…
Lobster Problems
Fifth Grade Math is about transition, about moving from problem solving with an elementary mind to problem solving as a pre-teen. By building Lobster Aquariums and filling them with problems inside of capsules (aka, lobster eggs), then mixing those capsules…
The Gifted School
Back in August, on the morning of my first day of teaching at a gifted school, I carved out 10-15 minutes in my classroom to grab a cup of coffee and read the first chapter of Bruce Holsinger’s 450-page novel,…
How Generations Move Forward
Never forget, and always remember, and forever, forever stay in our hearts. These are the terms of endearment we offer to ourselves and each other after a tragedy, a temporary promise that we will keep our memories sharpened by the…
Running into Old Students
Tonight, I ran into an old student bagging our groceries at Publix, now a senior at Lyman HS. “Mr. Lucas?” he asked. I hadn’t looked up from under my hat as we were laying out our items from the cart,…
Walking Away
This week, as I said goodbye to Milwee, my students, and my program of six years, it turned out that the most difficult goodbye was the one I had to give my family of friends and colleagues, many of whom…
New Endeavors
This afternoon, I signed the papers and met with my new team. I am now, officially, the newest 5th Grade Math Teacher at Galileo School for Gifted Learning, 2019-2020. I’m absolutely thrilled about where I’m going, but torn and heartbroken…
About Hamilton
In the early aughts (2002-2009), after my wife and I got married, my little brother and my little sister used to come and stay with us on breaks from school. Aspiring to be though not yet fully an educator, I…
