Blog – Page 19 – Josh Stumpenhorst

My Message

Posted on November 2, 2011 by Josh Stumpenhorst

Many of you are probably aware that I was recently named Illinois Teacher of the Year. As a result of that honor, I am a nominee for National Teacher of the Year. Part of the process was a packet of paperwork that I recently submitted to “nationals” last week. Among the many questions and topics […]

You Hate Kids?

Posted on October 30, 2011 by Josh Stumpenhorst

I recently had a comment left on a previous post causing me to pause and think. The comment: There was some further conversation within the comments but I stand by my original thoughts that you have to remain centered around kids in everything you do. With that in mind, I don’t think you can be a […]

My First Radio Interview

Posted on October 25, 2011 by Josh Stumpenhorst

Below is a recent radio interview I did as a result of “winning” the State of Illinois Teacher of the Year. Normally, I would think of posting this, but I think I actually had a few noteworthy things to say in this one…enjoy! Naperville Teacher Is 2011 Illinois Teacher Of The Year by wdcbnews

Why I Write

Posted on October 20, 2011 by Josh Stumpenhorst

Writing has always been a part of my life. Since I was young, I always enjoyed playing with words and using them to illustrate a point or tell a story. I still have notebooks filled with thoughts, ideas, and poems from my adolescent years. If nothing else, they provide a glimpse into my mind at […]

Does Technology Help?

Posted on October 16, 2011 by Josh Stumpenhorst

I think technology helps kid’s learning experiences in school and helps them in life. The problem is I cannot prove it. Technology in the classroom has gotten some bad press as of late with the recent article in The New York Times. The primary focus of this article is schools where great amounts of money […]

Questions For a New Teacher

Posted on October 16, 2011 by Josh Stumpenhorst

This coming week I have been asked to speak to a group of preservice teachers back at my old college, North Central College in Naperville, IL. I have been given a blank slate as to what I am allowed to talk about. With that in mind I decided to take my recent post, Letter to […]

A Simple Phone Call

Posted on October 12, 2011 by Josh Stumpenhorst

Tonight I was driving home from work while talking on the phone with my wife. We were simply rehashing our days when the house phone rings in the background. My wife went over and noticed that it was my son’s school calling and instantly said, “I wonder what he did wrong now.” She then hung […]

Letter to First Year Teacher Me

Posted on October 11, 2011 by Josh Stumpenhorst

By Terabass (Own work) via Wikimedia Commons I am an eternal optimist and truly believe in my heart that time travel will be possible one day. It is with this belief I write this letter that I will one day travel back in time to deliver to “First Year Teacher Me”. Yes, I realize that […]

Painting Pumpkins

Posted on October 8, 2011 by Josh Stumpenhorst

This afternoon my wife and I took our sons to the MortonArboretum in Lisle, IL. We have been members there for a few years and go there on a fairly regular basis. Today happened to be a special occasion of sorts with a scare crow walk, food vendors (including some fine micro-brew), and various crafts […]

Bringing the Dead Alive!

Posted on October 5, 2011 by Josh Stumpenhorst

As many know, I teach social science as well as language arts at the 6th grade level. If you have ever taught in the junior high setting or have a junior high aged child, you know how difficult it can be at times to keep them engaged and excited about a topic. In my language […]