Angie Hurtig

I teach second grade and coach JH volleyball. I love helping kids be the best they can be!

[𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 @DrBradJohnson]

We keep blaming teachers for declining literacy.
But we're raising a generation that consumes information through 15-second videos, endless scrolling, and constant notifications. Then we assess them as though they've spent years building the reading stamina to sit with a complex text for 30 or 60 minutes.

Scrolling is a sprint.
Reading is a marathon.

Today's students interact with language differently than any generation before them. They skim. They swipe. They jump from one idea to the next. Yet our literacy assessments still require sustained attention, deep comprehension, inference, vocabulary, and the ability to remain engaged with complex texts.
Those are essential skills. They always will be.
But if children spend far less time reading books outside of school than previous generations, why are we surprised when reading stamina declines?

This isn't about blaming parents or lowering expectations. It's about recognizing a profound cultural shift. Schools are increasingly being asked to develop skills that many children have fewer opportunities to practice beyond the classroom.

Teachers matter.
Instruction matters.
But literacy has never begun with a standardized test.

It begins with hearing stories, seeing adults read, turning pages, asking questions, imagining new worlds, and discovering that some things are worth staying with long after the first page.

If we want stronger readers, we can't place the entire burden on teachers. Building literacy has always been, and will always be, a shared responsibility between schools, families, and the culture our children grow up in.

[𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 @DrBradJohnson]

Team

[Brad Weinstein @WeinsteinEdu]

Choose people wisely! 🙌

[𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 @DrBradJohnson]

School culture is not created by a mission statement on a wall, but it is created and lived out daily by everyone in the school building.

[Angie Hurtig @HurtigAngie]

@alicekeeler Any chance you could post one of these for second grade?

[𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 @DrBradJohnson]

It's ok to do whatever it takes to get qualified new hires, such as pay increases, but let's also do whatever it takes to keep our veteran teachers too, such as pay increases!

[𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 @DrBradJohnson]

Teachers, your students may not remember everything you taught them in your class, but they will remember that you cared, showed grace, made them feel valued, and encouraged them to be their best. They will remember that and YOU forever.

[Jonathan Alsheimer @mr_Alsheimer]

This ❤️🔥

[Dr. Bryan Pearlman #MaslowBeforeBloom @DrP_Principal]

There was a boy named JJ. He was very little when two of his siblings died in a fire. JJ survived but had severe asthma as a result of exposure to inhaling a great deal of smoke. Mom fell out of the picture and grannie raised him and his cousins. In reality, the streets raised JJ. JJ was an explorer and a “frequent flyer” to the counselor and assistant principal’s office. Some of these visits were due to disrupting the class and others were daily stops on his wandering around the building tour. There were times when he would look pre-occupied or deep in thought. When asked about it, he either could not articulate what he was thinking or said he’d rather not speak about it.

As difficult as JJ’s behaviors could be in class, there was something very likeable about JJ. He was a salesman, negotiator, and finagler. JJ had great eye contact, a big smile, and an infectious laugh.

The day before winter break, JJ was sent to the office for being extremely disrespectful to a substitute teacher. The assistant principal lectured him (probably yelled at him) and told him about how disappointed he was in JJ. The conversation went on to how many people were in JJ’s corner and how maybe JJ was just wasting their time if he wasn’t going to step up and do the right thing. JJ cried for the first time that anyone at school could remember. He promised that he would do better and that he was sorry for letting everyone down.

Word spread through the building that the Assistant Principal “stuck it” to JJ. Several staff members stopped by the Assistant Principal’s office to give him a high five and to thank him for being tough on JJ. The assistant principal went home and felt proud of himself for making JJ cry and for teaching him a lesson. He then went on to enjoy winter break with his family, knowing that things would be different and easier with JJ when they returned in January.

A few days later on Christmas day, I received a phone call from the head principal. JJ had a severe asthma attack and died in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.

I went to JJ’s funeral. Grannie told stories about JJ as a baby, toddler, and as a child. She smiled and cried as she detailed memories of his mischief and also the many kind and thoughtful acts he did for his little sister. Grannie then talked about how much he liked his school, his friends, and playing kickball. Grannie paused, surveyed the room, and looked me right in the eyes. She said that the person he loved the most and the one who cared most about him was Dr Bryan Pearlman - his assistant principal. I got up and left. I was crying uncontrollably.

I would have given anything to have five more minutes with JJ. I would have apologized for my behavior and for making him cry. I would have promised him that I would learn more and do better moving forward. I would have told him about how much I enjoyed spending time with him. I would have told him about how amazing he was!

Shame on me. I didn’t know anything about mental health or trauma. I suspended kids and really believed that they would come back with a better attitude and improved behaviors. I kept sending the same students home over and over and really expected a different outcome (this is the definition of insanity). This was particularly ineffective for students dealing with anxiety, depression, or trauma.

Take some time to think about your own “JJ”. Think of one new thing you will try that may help the relationship and reduce the negative behaviors.

You can also post information about your own “JJ” (anonymously if you like) on the “Maslow Before Bloom” Facebook group. We can brainstorm some ideas with the 19,000 other members who are all committed to help all kids to succeed in school and life:
https://t.co/015cLKjJ1m

I think of JJ every day. I miss him so much! Christmas is always the hardest time. I remember that phone call like it was yesterday.

[𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 @DrBradJohnson]

Don't let others steal your joy!
https://t.co/ut4GZsFvnp

[𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 @DrBradJohnson]

Teachers, your students may not remember everything about your class, but they will remember that you cared, showed grace, made them feel valued, and encouraged them to be their best. They will remember that forever.

[Danny Steele @SteeleThoughts]

There is a teacher that both my sons had in high school. They both raved about her. I remember asking my younger son what he liked about her. Without hesitating, he said:

“She cares so much! She cares so much about her job!”

Kids notice.

[Danny Steele @SteeleThoughts]

My tips for teachers in 2023…

[𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 @DrBradJohnson]

Every child has hopes and dreams, even the ones who try your patience. Maybe they’re in your class this year because you’re the one who can help them recognize their potential and the brilliance they have inside.

[Angie Hurtig @HurtigAngie]

@athielen19 Prayers!🙏🏻🙏🏻

[Justin McMillan @justinwmcmillan]

This is important at all times. Being encouraged by each other is crucial to remain passionate about our students’ learning. @SteeleThoughts @ToddWhitaker #essentialtruths

[Danny Steele @SteeleThoughts]

When students know that their teacher enjoys teaching them… it goes a long way toward building a strong class climate.

[𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 @DrBradJohnson]

When it comes to family and friends. You can never say I love you too much or I just called because I was thinking of you too often. Let.the important people in your life know that they're important.

[Danny Steele @SteeleThoughts]

To my educator peeps... you don’t have to be an administrator, grade level chair, or department head to be a leader in you school. Your title doesn’t matter. You just need to care about making it better.

Passion and commitment can transform any culture.