When teaching children, knowing when to pause and take another breath to let learning unfold is a conscious act of breath control. Effective teachers know the art of breathing. Continue reading
The Art of Breathing and Teaching
If You Do Not Hear A Student, Is The Child Really Present? A Cartesian Problem.
Increasingly, we are seeing the whole group of a classroom as a collection of diverse children. Some have special education challenges. Some have cultural and linguistic needs. Some are gifted and talented. And some are shy and introverted. The characteristics we once considered normal are now a small group within the diversity. Continue reading
Teaching Is Renewal By Surprises
If, as Solomon said, there truly is nothing new under the sun, why do we rise with any new anticipations? In its basic forms, classroom teaching can be nothing more than the routine instruction of a routine curriculum. Why aren’t … Continue reading
Self-inspect Your Teaching Professionally to Prevent Meh!
Classroom teaching is a black box profession. The lack of ongoing professional critiquing leaves every teacher in the uninformed position of “I will keep doing what I am doing. It seems to be good enough.” How can a teacher know if a lesson uses good instructional practices and behaviors? How can a teacher assure positive correlations between teaching and learning? Teachers are on their own when it comes to evaluating their personal teaching performances. Continue reading
Test Less and Converse More
How do you really know what your students know? Is a student’s learning only the composite score of tests, quizzes, papers, and projects? Be Socratic-like. We can do better when we use better practices.? Continue reading
Weep Not For NAEP – Rely On Local Data
As readers of national educational news, we should remember that the only data that matters is local data. Change in national trends will not be the result of action by federal or state governments, but only by careful and healthy consideration and use of data at the local school district level. Know your local data and help your local leaders to use it effectively. Continue reading
Children In Our Safekeeping
Often, we hear it said after a child tragedy, “We have to make sure this never happens again!” Truth be told, “never again” is not attainable. However, creating an unlikelihood of tragedy and living safely and sanely within our reality of facts are attainable and school is a good place for children to be. Continue reading
Be Bold and Emboldened About Your 2025-26 Educational Goals
August is the right time to confirm your 2025-26 student achievement goals and ensure commitment of all school resources to achieving those goals. In the weeks before children walk into school, be bold in publicly broadcasting your educational goals for your students and embolden all educators to achieve your/their goals. Continue reading
Johnny Was In 9th Grade Once; Then He Grew Up
I was in a checkout line at a local grocery market two years ago. The tall man pushing a cart in front me turned, took a hard look at my face, and said, “I know you. You were…” In that instance, I was vulnerable to our shared past. I wondered, “Who is this and what did I do that was memorable for him?” You never know when former teachers and students will cross paths. Continue reading
Betterment Is A Teacher’s Constant PD
The need for PD for teachers has never been greater. The challenges of pandemic learning loss, the post-pandemic socio-emotional needs of children, and the increasing challenges of artificial intelligence in daily and school life require teachers to upgrade their professional abilities. The responsibility that shifted from state licensing requirements to school board contract requirements now shifts to teachers’ personal requirements for professional integrity. In the absence of district-led professional development, betterment is up to each teacher. Continue reading