3 reasons instructional audio is a must-have in classrooms
When I conduct training for school employees, I like to start my presentations speaking in a “normal” voice. About halfway in, I turn on the instructional audio solution…
Children’s mental health remains a major concern
The child and teen mental health crisis is still an issue in the beginning of the 2022-23 school year. While there is some indication that numbers might be…
Designing fair and inclusive tests for non-native speakers
Language is a significant barrier to fair and inclusive testing, particularly if language fluency is not relevant to the skill being measured by the test. This is why…
4 tips for using data to differentiate instruction
Finding ways to help all students grow academically – regardless of where they are starting from – can be challenging. From my experiences teaching special education, general education,…
Hey teachers–what is your ‘why?’
More than half of the teachers in the US are seriously considering leaving the profession earlier than planned. A number of factors have led to this, including Covid-19…
Modern students need modern librarians
When you think of a school librarian, what comes to mind? Is it shelving, stamping, and shushing? That’s the stereotype you’re probably most familiar with.
What’s missing from your professional development?
The importance of professional development in education cannot be overstated. In fact, according to research, when teachers receive well-designed professional development, an average of 49 hours spread over…
Spaced repetition is the secret to overcoming learning loss
Just as “turnt,” “on fleek,” and “adulting” have become trending words in pop culture, so too has “spaced repetition" become a buzzword in education. Some educators are obsessed…
5 tips to build community-wide support for IT transformation
Technology’s role has been elevated to an integral strategic function in today’s school districts. But getting everyone to understand the value of digital transformation can be challenging and…
5 tools every school tech director should use
Teaching methods have changed dramatically over the last few years, leading to numerous electronic resources entering the classroom. This makes school IT a formidable challenge—security experts have to…
Why we should be teaching students economic literacy
When 17-year-old Jerry Marnell thought about heading off to college, economics seemed like an enticing major to study. Between self-starting his own production company and serving as president…
Why universal screening is a more equitable identifier of gifted and talented students
School districts have historically relied on a referral-based process to identify students for gifted and talented programming. This means that teachers or parents nominate their students to take…
How to make project-based learning a reality
One of the many reasons I love working for Van Andel Institute for Education is that I get to be a teacher Fairy Godmother. Teaching is an important…
In post-COVID schools, let’s redouble efforts to support students
The other day, my friend’s high school daughter complained, “It’s not fair!” “What’s not fair?” her mother asked. “Everyone is cheating!” her daughter replied. “They started doing it…
What matters most for our special education teachers?
We all know the problem. There is a frightening shortage of special education teachers and it’s getting worse. Even prior to the pandemic, 98 percent of school districts…
How to build deep relationships with students
In order for students to actually learn, they need to feel engaged on a cognitive and emotional level. They also need to feel safe.
Problem-based learning helped boost my underserved students’ engagement
As educators, our charge is to impart knowledge onto our students, open new doors for them, and encourage them to stretch beyond their comfort zones. We try to…
Private wireless is the key to K-20 digital transformation
Educational institutions across the United States are investing in digital technologies that, aside from transforming the learning experience, promise to improve campus operations, security and communications, and open…
How teachers like me can use AI to improve their teaching
It is easy, as an educator, to get stuck in a rut. In fact, it’s nearly impossible to avoid at some point or another during the school year.
4 ways transparent communication builds trust in our district
One of the best ways to build trust with parents is through transparent communication about what's happening on campus, the status of all things school-related, and how we're…