.

Ms. Powell's Management Ideas for Teachers

 

Welcome!  My name is Angela Powell, and I'm the creator of The Cornerstone, a collection of interrelated print and online resources that were created to make your teaching life more effective, efficient, and enjoyable. I'm currently a third grade teacher and freelance writer in downtown Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  This fall I began my 10th year teaching, having completed the first five years in Washington, D.C.  I started this website in 2003 as a place to share tools for overcoming the discipline issues, disorganization, and paperwork overload that drive so many teachers from the classroom each year. 

In July 2008, I published The Cornerstone book (which will be republished in May 2009 under my own publishing house, Due Season Press).  I also started a NEW website, The CornerstoneForTeachers.com. On it, you'll find an updated version of all of the old resources from mspowell.com. I've left this site up solely because there are thousands of web resources that still link here, and I want to provide new visitors with an explanation of the changes. So now that you know, please take a look around the new Cornerstone website and explore each of the Cornerstone resources. You'll learn how to construct a self-running classroom that frees you to teach!

 

What's New?   Actually, nothing.  This site hasn't been updated since spring 2008.  That's because I've launched a NEW website, The Cornerstone For Teachers!  There you'll find an updated version of the old resources on this site (which I've left intact for the benefit of the online resources still link here).  So, get over to the new site and see what's happening in 2009!  You'll find a collection of 7 Cornerstone resources:   Join the listserve/message boards!  Participate in forum discussions that are relevant to you, post questions to over 400 other group members, download free files, find out about site updates, and more!  To join The Cornerstone yGroup, all you have to provide is your email address. Check out the NEW blog!  This is the place to read my latest reflections on classroom life, discover fabulous new resources, and stay updated on education news. You'll also find lots of humorous anecdotes, snarky commentary, and the infamous LOLcats go to skool feature. You can subscribe to The Cornerstone Blog through an RSS feed or have new posts emailed directly to you.   Explore thousands of free classroom resources!  If you're looking for organizational ideas, behavior management strategies, time saving tips, and lesson resources, there's a new place for you!  The Cornerstone has the updated versions of everything on the old mspowell.com site: photos, links, printables, and more! Be sure to bookmark The Cornerstone website.         Read the book!  The Cornerstone book is an down-to-earth 500 page resource guide to help you construct a self-running classroom that frees you to teach.  If you like the website, you'll LOVE the book, which explores the classroom management techniques more fully. Get access to hundreds more tips and tricks in this amazing manual! Free excerpts and downloads are also available on The Cornerstone website. Find spiritual encouragment!  Teaching can be stressful and exhausting. Whenever you're having trouble staying focused on the big picture and your life's purpose, stop by The Cornerstone Devotions for Teachers for a moment of reflection and rejuvenation.   Follow on Twitter!  The tweet updates include educational links and resource sharing which are typically buried between random thoughts about teaching and witty off-topic banter.  Click here to view The Cornerstone Twitter feed (AngelaPowell), which is the most informal of The Cornerstone resources. Stay updated on Facebook!  Add yourself to The Cornerstone For Teachers fan page!  This is the most informal of The Cornerstone resources, and is an easy and fun way to stay connected with Angela and other Cornerstone users. Support The Cornerstone by shopping at Amazon!  A portion of your sales will automatically benefit the site, at no cost to you!  There are lots of recommended products throughout the site, but ALL purchases help provide free teacher resources at The Cornerstone, as long as you initially connect to Amazon by clicking on any of the Amazon links on The Cornerstone (or here)  THANK YOU for your support!

Ms. Powell's Thought for the Day:

This site is dedicated in loving memory of Chelsea Cromartie (1995-2004)   Four years after she was a student in my PreK classroom, 8-year-old Chelsea was playing with Barbies on her aunt's liviing room floor in northeast Washington, D.C. when bullets sprayed through the front window.  Chelsea�s aunt was hit in the shoulder and recovered, but Chelsea was shot in the head and died a short time later.   Under intense pressure from the community, witnesses eventually came forward with enough information for police to arrest three teenage suspects.  The gunfire apparently began after an argument over how someone was dressed.  Rasheed Hall admitted to firing the shot that mistakenly killed Chelsea and was sentenced to twenty-three years in prison.  His younger brother, who brought him the gun, was sentenced to two decades.  Sadly, both boys are under the age of 18, contributing to the epidemic of children killing children in the city: Chelsea was the 30th juvenile to be murdered in Washington D.C. in a four month period.  This senseless murder will forever be a lesson to the students I teach on the downfalls of pride, materialism, and the consequences of being unable to solve problems without violence.  Click on Chelsea's picture for a slideshow about her story.