top of page
The Blog
Should I Go Back to School?
I have always dreamed of earning my doctorate. Because wouldn't Dr. Donna be a great name? But if I'm honest, it's more than that. I love learning. I always have but not just for the sake of adding another certificate to the wall. I want it to matter. I want it to serve a purpose. Why invest time and money into something that does not stir something inside me or make a difference? And lately, something has been stirring that has kept me up at night. I've seen a need that keep
dneumann1972
6 days ago2 min read
Valentine's Day Is Just Around the Corner
Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and as a teacher, this was always one of those days I quietly dreaded. There was the pressure of making sure every child had a Valentine bag or box ready for the big day. Then came helping each student walk around the room, passing out cards and making sure no one was missed. I always requested that names not be written on the Valentines so we could simply go in a circle and avoid confusion, but there were always a couple of parents
dneumann1972
Feb 62 min read
Inclusive Winter Celebrations
When someone recently asked me, "What all-inclusive holiday activities can we do?" it made me pause. We often jump straight to Christmas because it's familiar but the truth is, not everyone celebrates Christmas. Some families observe different cultural or religious holidays, and others choose not to celebrate at all. So the real question becomes: How do we create activities that honor everyone without leaving anyone out? The answer is simple: focus on themes everyone can en
dneumann1972
Dec 12, 20252 min read
Buzzworthy News: Year Two and Better Than Ever
This is our second year of Buzzworthy News , our online news program for elementary students. Every Friday, a group of students joins me...
dneumann1972
Sep 23, 20251 min read
Kids Can Socialize in a Digital World
This week, I had the opportunity to speak to several school districts about the work we're doing in the virtual elementary world. On the...
dneumann1972
Aug 8, 20252 min read
Why Math PD Matters - Even in the Summer
This summer, I've found myself in a virtual room full of teachers, from kindergarten to high school from all over the world. Although we...
dneumann1972
Jul 21, 20252 min read
Teacher-Tired
There's tired, and then there's teacher tired . It's the kind of exhaustion that goes beyond physical, it's emotional, and mental. It's...
dneumann1972
Jun 11, 20252 min read
Not Every Child Loves Summer Break
As the days get longer and the school year draws to a close, there's an energy that fills the virtual and physical classroom alike....
dneumann1972
May 28, 20252 min read
Teacher Appreciation Week
Today marks the last day of Teacher Appreciation Week, and in the world of virtual education, recognizing our teachers can sometimes be a...
dneumann1972
May 9, 20252 min read
A Classroom Garden of Hope
As educators, we are always mindful of the diversity in our classrooms—whether it's celebrating holidays or understanding why some...
dneumann1972
Apr 6, 20252 min read
The Power of Brain Breaks
I recently attended a professional development session where the presenter, Tony Vincent, shared something that truly stuck with me; the...
dneumann1972
Mar 30, 20252 min read
MACUL 2025
This is my second year attending the MACUL (Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning) Conference, and it has been another...
dneumann1972
Mar 24, 20251 min read
Kaiser Elementary School Visit
I had the pleasure of visiting Kaiser Elementary School in Roseville, where I introduced Annie the Porcupine to the entire K-5 school...
dneumann1972
Mar 18, 20252 min read
Math and Writing
Math is often seen as a subject of right or wrong answers that come at the end of equations. But what if we shifted our focus? What if,...
dneumann1972
Feb 11, 20252 min read
Mount Vernon Summer Program
As an educator and advocate for inclusive learning, I am thrilled to share an exciting opportunity I am pursuing to enhance the...
dneumann1972
Jan 7, 20252 min read
Thanksgiving In The Classroom
As Thanksgiving approaches, educators may find themselves grappling with how to approach this holiday in the classroom. While...
dneumann1972
Nov 21, 20243 min read
October Classroom Celebrations
When October rolls around, many of us immediately think of Halloween and the associated classroom activities. However, in a world of...
dneumann1972
Oct 18, 20244 min read
© 2023 Donna Neumann All Rights Reserved
AnnieThePorcupine.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.AnnieThePorcupine.com also participates in the following affiliate programs: Book Cave. Other links may include affiliate codes that afford the site owner a small commission at no additional cost to the buyer. We truly appreciate your help in supporting this website. We only post affiliate links for products that we use and recommend ourselves.
bottom of page