Podcast Series: Innovations in Education

Explore the full series of eSchool News podcasts hosted by Kevin Hogan—created to keep you on the cutting edge of innovations in education.

Communication and teacher appreciation took top priority in this district’s COVID strategy

The COVID-19 pandemic is far from over, and that means educators across the globe are still finding inventive and innovative ways to support and teach students in classrooms, during hybrid instruction, and in virtual settings.

The eSchool Media K-12 Hero Awards program, sponsored by Trox, recognizes the determined and dedicated efforts of educators throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Never before have educators been challenged and tested as they were, beginning in March 2020 and up until today, and never before has their resilience been more apparent. Administrators, technology leaders, classroom teachers, and educators in all roles have persevered as they taught each and every one of their students during a global pandemic.…Read More

Whatever it takes: How one underserved district continues to make it through the pandemic

Listening to Alena Zachery-Ross, Superintendent of Ypsilanti Community Schools in Michigan, managing her district through this pandemic almost sounds like a positive story.

In this conversation with eSchool News, Alena recalls her strategies for success. From a new appreciation for student voice to closer interactions with the wider community, her ideas will help any district not only survive, but thrive, in these times.

The following has been edited for clarity.…Read More

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Edthena Names Winners of the 2021 Teacher Leader Impact Awards

Educators from across the country recognized for their measurable impact within the school community

SAN FRANCISCO (May 6, 2021) – Coinciding with Teacher Appreciation Week, Edthena is announcing this year’s honorees for the Teacher Leader Impact Awards which recognizes the outstanding achievements of teacher leaders nationwide. All nine of the honored educators were nominated by an administrator in their district for making a measurable impact on others and creating positive lasting change.

“We were blown away by the truly remarkable accomplishments and contributions of teacher leaders from across the country,” said Adam Geller, founder and CEO of Edthena. “From supporting students and fellow teachers to spearheading school-wide initiatives, all of the honored educators exemplify true leadership and are so deserving of this recognition.”…Read More

Savvas Learning Company Teams Up with EveryoneOn to Provide Free WiFi to 100 Families to Support Digital Learning at Home

In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, Savvas enables teachers to better connect with students by helping to close the digital divide

PARAMUS, NEW JERSEY — May 5, 2021 — To celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, Savvas Learning Company, a K-12 next-generation learning solutions leader, has partnered with EveryoneOn.org to honor teachers by helping close the digital divide for students from low-income families. 

As part of its #SavvasThanks campaign for Teacher Appreciation Week 2021, Savvas is making a donation to EveryoneOn.org that will provide free high-speed Internet service to 100 families with school-aged students who are in need of reliable WiFi in their homes for digital learning. EveryoneOn.org is a nonprofit that works to connect low-income families to affordable Internet service, computers, and other digital resources.…Read More

Nominations Now Open for the 2021 Substitute Teacher Hall of Fame

Swing Education to recognize three exemplary educators for their notable contributions to education and the community during this year’s Teacher Appreciation Week

Swing Education, a staffing application for substitute teachers, is now accepting nominations for its Substitute Teacher Hall of Fame which annually recognizes substitute teachers across the country for their outstanding work as educators and their notable contributions to the students, teachers, and schools they serve. This year’s class of inductees will be announced during Teacher Appreciation Week in May.

“From remote to hybrid to in-person teaching, substitute teachers have played such a vital and supportive role during every phase of this challenging school year,” said Mike Teng, CEO of Swing Education. “The Substitute Teacher Hall of Fame will highlight three of these truly exemplary educators who continue to make a real difference and go above and beyond for their students, yet so often don’t get the recognition they deserve.”…Read More

Interactive virtual learning–pandemic stopgap, or here to stay?

Virtual field trips or expeditions have gained in popularity in recent years, and the COVID-19 global pandemic has given the concept a boost as schools and now parents scramble to bring relevant, stimulating learning experiences out of the classroom and into their pupils’ new reality. Now, a year into the pandemic, classrooms are beginning to reopen, but the practicality and benefit of interactive virtual learning has drawn growing appreciation throughout the field of education.

Educators everywhere have come to acknowledge how easily interactive virtual learning gives students the experience of a real field trip without leaving their homes — or their hometowns.

The heart of the interactive experience is live conversations with educators and experts who are passionate about their work and love to share their knowledge with eager learners. Museum curators, historians, authors, researchers, and other expert instructors engage directly with students during the virtual expedition to create a rich, compelling learning environment.…Read More

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Virtual Tutoring Service

Swing Education, a staffing application that matches schools with substitute teachers, brings its highly-qualified and experienced substitutes directly to students across America with the launch of Swing Tutors, an online tutoring service for students in grades K-12. Launching during Teacher Appreciation Week, Swing Tutors matches classroom substitute teachers with students based on their grade level and subject area needs to provide additional real-time, one-on-one support in a secure online learning environment.

“With school closures, we wanted to find a way to both support our substitute teachers and provide a valuable and much-needed service for parents and students,” said Mike Teng, CEO of Swing Education. “Swing Tutors taps into our substitute teachers’ expertise while delivering a flexible way for students to receive individualized support in the areas they need help with the most.”

All Swing Tutors are veteran educators with real classroom experience, each having taught in physical classrooms within the last 12 months. All tutors hold bachelor’s degrees, with roughly 40 percent having a master’s degree or higher. The tutoring service is available to any K-12 student in the U.S., regardless of school, and delivered using an interactive video-based platform in which the tutors can engage students in conversation as well as review course materials.…Read More

‘I teach because’: 7 educators on why they teach

Has anyone ever asked you why you teach? What did you say? Maybe you said, “I teach because I love seeing aha moments,” or, “I teach because I want to support kids who might not have support anywhere else.”

Whatever your reason, our hats are off to you. Teaching is without a doubt one of the most demanding professions today. Not only are teachers tasked with imparting knowledge to students, they’re also responsible for keeping students safe, calming anxieties, and doling out doses of comfort and love.

In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week this week, we asked teachers to share with us why they teach. What motivates them? What made them want to become an educator? What keeps them in the classroom and in school?…Read More

$1,000 Teacher Appreciation Week Giveaway

We’re giving away ten $100 Target gift cards in honor of Teacher Appreciation. Whoo hoo! Think of all the mini erasers that could buy. Or better yet—a mini shopping spree just for yourself, with no classroom supplies in sight! Just remember to save a few bucks for an iced coffee to go along with your shopping trip, and enjoy!