Java M. Robinson is a National Board Certified Teacher (Middle Childhood, Generalist) and teaches second grade in Montgomery County, Maryland, where she also serves as a coach, recruitment coordinator and candidate support provider for National Board candidates. She has more than two decades of teaching experience in three states. Java also works with TEACH.org as a Teach Ambassador to recruit others (specifically minorities and men) into the teaching profession, and is an active member of several local education leadership organizations. Teacher. She enjoys networking with other teachers and advocating for change in public education. Follow Java on Twitter @JavaRobinson.
Anyone Can Teach
April 24, 2018
This past year, a member of our second-grade team of three teachers experienced a major illness and could not work at the start of the school year. Our school was able at the last minute to secure one of our frequent substitute teachers to take over the position long term. So, what is the problem you ask? This person has been subbing for years and therefore was the perfect person to join the team long term, or so we thought. She quickly found out what we already knew: teaching is hard. This experience provided a valuable reminder of the nuances…
Read MoreA Powerful Three Letter Word: TRY
December 19, 2017
There is a poster hanging in my classroom with the quote, “You never know what YOU can do until you TRY.” Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try. I remind my students of this idea every day. As a child I was always referred to as a “tomboy.” This was because I could always be found climbing trees, scaling buildings, or doing other things typically associated with my male counterparts. My mom would always get on me for coming home with my knee scraped and cut marks all over. Being a “lady” was not in my DNA. I wanted…
Read MoreBenefits of Project-Based Learning
October 12, 2016
Over the years there have been many changes in the way instruction is delivered to students in public education. Gaining popularity in recent years, one of the most promising models of instruction is project-based learning (PBL). In PBL, students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to an engaging and complex question, problem, or challenge. Many accomplished teachers are looking for ways to use project-based learning in their classroom. Marty Sugerik, a Project-Based Learning Specialist and Trainer, provides insights into implementing effective project-based learning at any school in Career Pathway Courses.…
Read MoreNBCTs Take a Stand in Support of Educational Policies
July 15, 2016
From July 2-7, 2016, approximately 10,000 delegates convened in Washington, DC at the National Education Association (NEA) Representative Assembly (RA) to advocate for legislation to promote academic and social justice for all students. Among those present were members of the NEA NBCT caucus. These NBCTs work diligently at the RA to do the necessary work, but they are not the only ones. All around the country NBCTs are taking action by lobbying legislators, writing letters, reaching out to the community, educating all stakeholders, using data and statistics and other means to identify faults and propose improvements in education systems. On…
Read MoreHow Can We Best Address the Learning Needs of Our Students?
June 21, 2016
How do you overcome learning barriers in your classroom? What steps have you taken to address the needs of all learners? How are you able to keep your students engaged in their learning? These are the questions accomplished teachers frequently ask themselves. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) not only helps teachers answer these questions but also provides guidelines and strategies they can use to solve these problems. UDL is a set of three principles that helps teachers develop curriculum that gives all students equal opportunities to learn. We cannot continue with a single, one-size-fits-all approach for education. Many times we…
Read MoreA Change is Gonna Come
September 25, 2015
Editor’s Note: Java Robinson, NBCT, teaches second grade in Montgomery County, Md. She supports her colleagues in pursuing and achieving Board certification as a coach, recruitment coordinator and candidate support provider. She is also a Teach Ambassador, working to recruit minority candidates into the teaching profession. The views expressed in this blog are her own. I was born by the river in a little tent Oh and just like the river I’ve been running ev’r since It’s been a long time, a long time coming But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will Sam Cooke wrote these…
Read MoreCandidate Recruitment: When Does It End?
August 14, 2015
Editor’s Note: Java Robinson, NBCT, teaches second grade in Montgomery County, Md. She supports her colleagues in pursuing and achieving Board certification as a coach, recruitment coordinator and candidate support provider. She is also a Teach Ambassador, working to recruit minority candidates into the teaching profession. The views expressed in this blog are her own. “Hi, I remember you from National Board support sessions. How can I help?” That was refreshing to hear from a newly certified NBCT. But what can we do to keep the enthusiasm up for others? Unfortunately, once they become NBCTs, many teachers never consider…
Read MoreDo You Have What It Takes?
June 5, 2015
Editor’s Note: Java Robinson, NBCT, teaches second grade in Montgomery County, Md. She supports her colleagues in pursuing and achieving Board certification as a coach, recruitment coordinator and candidate support provider. She is also a Teach Ambassador, working to recruit minority candidates into the teaching profession. The views expressed in this blog are her own. “I tried it once and did not achieve. I quit!” “It’s too much work! That was the hardest thing I ever had to do.” “You are crazy for doing this!” These are some of the comments I generally hear from people in reference to National…
Read MoreWe Can Do Better
May 11, 2015
Editor’s Note: Java Robinson, NBCT, teaches second grade in Montgomery County, Md. She supports her colleagues in pursuing and achieving Board certification as a coach, recruitment coordinator and candidate support provider. She is also a Teach Ambassador, working to recruit minority candidates into the teaching profession. The views expressed in this blog are her own. We Can Do Better! This has been the battle cry of the Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA) ever since the election of the new governor in Maryland, who has proposed policy changes and budget cuts to public education. So what could we do? Nearly…
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