https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/theres-still-no-consensus-on-accountability-for-teacher-prep/2023/09 Most would agree that good teachers create an atmosphere in the classroom where learning takes place, guiding students as they obtain knowledge key to becoming educated citizens. Teachers help students reach their potential, understanding that some will master material easily, while others will struggle. In the end, though, everyone should learn something that will…

Evidently, this year is the one when students will be held accountable to catch up on learning loss by focusing on lessons, not slacking off, and taking school seriously. This should also mean that administrators broadcast the message that students will no longer get an easy A in many classes, which is what happened during…

I’ve picked up tips on how to learn from the book Learning How to Learn by Barbara Oakley and Terrence Sejnowski, which I’ll share with adults and teens who want to improve how much information they retain. The following are ways that can help me: Get lots of sleep. Don’t skimp on this key aspect…

https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/recruiting-more-bilingual-teachers-the-challenges-and-solutions/2023/09 My high school boasts a significant Hispanic student population with a robust English as a Second Language program, as well as many sections of Spanish to cater to native and heritage speakers. Yet, when a colleague resigned in June, my district couldn’t find a replacement for her Spanish classes. Administrators contacted local colleges, professional…

What does it take to create kids with grit and what does it exactly mean to have grit? I sought answers to my questions by reading Angela Duckworth’s book Grit: the Power of Passion and Perseverance. First, Duckworth defines grit as a combination of passion and perseverance to achieve long-term goals. It’s not just working…

For students to learn in class, all of them must behave. This means they must not disrupt others by talking without permission, playing music that all can hear, walking around the classroom during instructional time, and interrupting a lesson to ask for something. Honestly, for years, I struggled with getting kids to respect these rules…

To solve their teacher shortage, schools with low teacher salaries should look to Baker City, Oregon. This school year, the rural district filled all its teachers vacancies after it increased the salary floor for teachers to $60,000 from $38,000 and made its top salary nearly $90,000, according to an article in NEA Today. Before, teachers…

https://www.edweek.org/leadership/5-big-challenges-facing-k-12-education-today-and-ideas-for-tackling-them/2023/09 Teachers work an average of 53 hours per week–a standard work week is 40 hours– and report an average salary of $67,000, according to a recent survey by the RAND Corp, a research consulting firm. They are more dissatisfied with their jobs, leading some to consider leaving the profession, according to a recent article…

Let’s thank a retired New Jersey high school teacher for eloquently advocating the importance of teaching high school students to think. Frank Breslin recently wrote at Medium about how teens aren’t learning critical thinking, the most important skill in their education. Breslin writes:  “A school should teach its students how to think, not what to think; to question whatever…

https://www.edweek.org/leadership/opinion-time-is-a-schools-most-precious-resource-where-does-it-go/2023/09 A recent article from Ed Week points how teachers feel they don’t have enough time. Last year, the Merrimack College Teacher Survey reported that 29 percent of teachers said they wanted more planning time, 28 percent wanted more actual teaching time, and 17 percent more time to collaborate with colleagues.  I agree with the article.…

https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/the-interstate-teacher-mobility-compact-is-now-in-effect-heres-what-that-means/2023/07 “It’s going to make the recruitment of teachers easier. Anything to facilitate their mobility across state lines is going to be helpful to address teacher shortages.”– David Griffith, the associate executive director of policy and advocacy for the National Association of Elementary School Principals. To address teacher shortages, ten states have just made it…

https://ew.edweek.org/nxtbooks/epe/ew_08302023/index.php#/p/8 “State policymakers and district leaders are working to rebuild the teacher pipeline through long-term solutions, including by creating pathways to licensing for paraprofessionals, career-changers, and interested high school students.” For the past several years, schools have had a tough time finding qualified teachers to hire and have offered financial incentives and other perks. This…