Education Coffeehouse.com

The Education Coffeehouse is a labor of love that has provided Marsha Bass the opportunity to share the knowledge she has gained through a unique career that has taken her from classroom teacher to administrator to the vocational setting. She provides straight talk on education issues for parents, tips for educators who are nearing burnout, and answersto tough questions for students. "It has been proven that a lack of parental involvement plays a great role in low achievement," states Bass. "But I do not believe that parents simply don't care. I believe that many of them aren't quite sure as to how to help their students. They need some straight talk about education and answers to their questions so they can be the advocates they must be in order for their children to enjoy some level of success in the classroom." Parents can now find that information at Going Back to the Classroom, a section of the Education Coffeehouse (www.educationcoffeehouse.com) devoted solely to providing parents with the guidance they need to assist their struggling students. Bass provides straight talk on issues such as "Why Parents Should Attend Parent/Teacher Conferences" and "My Child Has Been Sent to the Office for Behavior Problems, What Happens Next?".

Bass has had quite a unique career in education. Having received her post graduate teaching license from Indiana University in 1992, Marsha served in the capacity of Yearbook and Newspaper Sponsor, Journalism Instructor and Academic English Instructor at Elkhart Central High School all in her first year. Her second year in teaching brought the challenge of teaching Gifted and Talented students in addition to her other responsibilities. At the beginning of her 3rd year, she was appointed to the administrative position of Administrative Assistant for Student Affairs and was primarily responsible for handling the bulk of discipline and attendance issues of the 1150 member student body. Her short term in this position however, was marked with recognitions for the development of the Alternative Discipline Program which provided troubled students with an option of serving in the community in some capacity instead of being placed on in or out of school suspension for behavioral and/or attendance problems.

The classroom, however, proved to be her first love and in 1997, she asked to return. The only available position in her area of expertise was at the Elkhart Area Career Center where she would be responsible for teaching vocational students Language Arts and serving as the liaison between staff and the community as the School-to-Work Coordinator. She served at the Career Center not only in the position of Academic English Instructor, but also as an Integrated Communications Instructor who is responsible for teaching the connection between communications to vocational students within the context of their chosen fields. Currently, her career has expanded to include online instruction and writing for Glencoe/McGraw-Hill. "This is an exciting time for me," remarked Bass. "Working from home allows me to continue to teach and use my writing talents. But I'm also finally able to concentrate on the most important job I have - raising my two sons."

Teachers who are struggling with burnout can also find assistance through Professional Development in 60 Seconds, a section of The Education Coffeehouse that provides information on how teachers can lower their frustration levels and learn how to love the profession again. "We have a great deal on our plate. It's probably hard to believe, but, as an English teacher, I don't grade work at home any more. Changing that one nasty habit has not only lowered my frustration level but has helped my students' writing skills immensely. Re-invention is a process that must be completed in no more than 3 year intervals in order for the educator to remain effective in the classroom." A special section devoted to vocational instructors is also provided. "Their strength lies in their many years of workplace experience. They have an extremely unique challenge in leaving the workplace to teach, sometimes without much opportunity to prepare."

The "Back to the Classroom" and "Professional Development in 60 Seconds" discussions have been created in easy to read interactive slide shows that allow the readers to move at their own pace. The Coffeehouse will continue to add to the topic lists as viewers contact the site regarding their own experiences. Hardcopy brochures of all the parent information can be purchased by educators for distribution to their parent-base. Bass is also available to serve as guest speaker for teacher in-service activities and parent workshops.