Five Reasons to Be Thankful We Are Educators
The experience of being an educator today can generate a wide variety of emotions. Not all of them may be …
If Standards Go Up, Does Learning Rise Too?
Over the past two decades we have invested substantial public resources and engaged in seemingly endless discussion and debate over …
What is Right with American Schools?
I have been thinking about how infrequently we hear what American schools are doing right. We far more often hear …
Supporting Students in the Wake of Hate Crimes and Threats
The events of the past week have shocked our collective consciousness. Hate-based threats and actions have once again intruded upon …
Why I Became an Educator
During a middle school career exploration project in the spring of 1965, my teacher, Mr. Kitch, changed the direction of …
Missed Opportunities in Response to Parkland
The immediate aftermath of last February’s tragic mass shooting in Parkland, Florida featured vigorous discussion about how to prevent such …
Five Mistakes to Avoid with Students Who Experience Chronic Trauma
A growing number of students in today’s schools live in circumstances that feature significant (and often multiple) Adverse Childhood Experiences, …
Be Alert to Long-Term Aftereffects of Trauma
When trauma interrupts the lives of young people, the aftereffects may last longer than we assume or imagine. Further, the …
Can Curiosity Overcome the Learning Effects of Poverty?
Educators have long fought to close the achievement gap associated with poverty. Too often, students who come from a low …
Do ELL Students Really Pay Better Attention Than English Speaking Students?
Some teachers of English Language Learners (ELL) have observed that these students often seem to pay better attention and sustain …