Catherine Ionata

ok, it's early but I can't wait for another wonderful summer on the Jersey Shore.

I posted this on facebook 9 years ago today, and was surprised to see it pop up in "memories", because I don't remember posting it. At least I'm consistent, cause I believe in even more today than I did 9 years ago!

Wow! So that's what it's like to literally feel the Earth shake under your feet. I hope everyone is safe! #earthquake

Two years ago today we lost my father. He was a wonderful husband of over 55 years to my mother, a loving father and a doting grandfather. He was an exception person in many ways. There's so much more to say, but I'll leave it at: he will always be missed and remembered.

I'm not a neuroscientist. But @nasneuro_ is. This is way to create the environment you want both within your soul and your outer world.

According to neuroscience expert, Dr. Patty O'Grady, "Kindness changes the brain". Of course it does. Kindness begets kindness. stand4kind.com/secret-to-endi….”

This just speaks to me.

👥 Students who have #IEPs are not "special education students." They are simply students. They belong to every educator they have. Receiving a service shouldn't impose an identity. #LeadInclusion #EdLeaders #Teachers #UDL

I've always loved Mister Rogers. Just throwing some positivity out there today.

@stephaniempaz @NYCSchools I cried with "The Bronx deserves the whole damn world". I'll always miss teaching there, and they sure do. Good luck in all your future endeavors. 🩷

Today I officially resigned from the Department of Education at @NYCSchools. There are many reasons why I made this decision, none of which involve my incredible kids. The Bronx deserves the whole damn world and I’ll miss them more than anything. ❤️

Things have been very hard for me lately, particularly health-wise. But this kind, sweet girl deserves a healthy mother. So I gotta keep on keeping on as hard as I can. If it's endless doctor's visits, so be it. #lovemydaughter #oldpic

Good news: I was diagnosed w/ three huge tumors in my uterus. It may seem surprising that I find this "good". But given the endless symptoms I've faced, I'm thrilled there may be an end in sight. If I have ever affected you positively, I ask that you keep me in you thoughts.

All 8 billion human beings alive today are brothers and sisters. We’re physically, mentally and emotionally the same. We all want to live a happy life and avoid suffering and we all have a right to fulfil that wish. So, it's important to acknowledge the oneness of humanity.

I want to be in Vygotsky's zone of proximal development. It's up there in my top 10 wishes. You?

@leecreighton @mburnsmath I agree. Long division with 2-digit divisors can be done with calculators. The actual algorithm doesn't foster conceptual understanding. Time can be spent better building division concepts and number sense.

@mburnsmath Next up: long division with big divisors. There’s *tons* more that can go, but since the curriculum is essentially preparation for 19th-century Calculus courses, irrelevant stuff will be hard to extirpate.

One more wondering. When I was in high sch, we learned the algorithm for figuring the square root. It was complicated! It's no longer taught. How did that decision get made? Are their other algorithms that we might abandon?

@mburnsmath If the student memorized this method, than it's no better than any other method. If they *understand* why it works, then great! If they *created* this method because of their conceptual understandings: FANTASTIC.

What do you think about this child's division solution?

Equity for immigrants is what got me into public education. To this day, I miss my kiddos from the Bronx who were making a new home in the States. Equity for ELLs, those who learn differently, and ALL learners is what *keeps* me in education. All Ts responsible for all Ss!