Mike LeClare: Agile Education Marketing Data
Mike LeClare and Agile Education Marketing Agile Education Marketing is a data collection, compilation, and marketing company that specializes in the education universe. In this video, Mike LeClare, a 10-year veteran of the company, will discuss the different data sets that Agile collects, the processes they use to ensure accuracy, and the differentiators that make […]
Supporting Student Well-Being
The topic of student well-being has gained significant attention among educators since the COVID-19 pandemic. If we’re honest, anxiety cases and social isolation incidents are currently elevated among students and teachers. How is your school approaching student well-being? In my district, I co-sponsor a student organization that provides insight to our superintendent and district leadership. […]
Ruff Day at School?
For our elementary students, therapy dogs were just what the doctor ordered. Our students meet with “Fox,” our therapy dog, on a rotating schedule. Initially, the idea started with the K-2 librarian. He became a reading buddy at first, but then the idea grew. Having a therapy dog is not the same as having a […]
Tax Tips for Teachers
It’s officially tax season…cue the groans! Taxes are a task that few people look forward to. However, as a teacher, several deductions can be utilized to maximize your tax breaks. Check these out! The Educator Expense Tax Deduction If you were employed as a teacher, instructor, counselor, principal, or teacher aide for students in kindergarten […]
Test Season: Stage 1 – Preparation
Schools across the United States are fast approaching a time-honored annual stage in the school year – Testing Season. And although this is an experience common to schools regardless of their type (private, public, charter, etc.) or level (elementary, secondary, preparatory, etc.) how the testing season plays out varies dramatically. Part of the reason for […]
Testing Pressure
It’s that time of year when educators spend hours preparing for the “test”. Dating back to the From the 1800s to today, with the Every Child Succeeds Act, there is a long history of standardized testing used in our school systems. These tests are developed to provide a snapshot into the learning and teaching that […]
Testing, Testing?
It’s springtime, which means the flowers are beginning to bloom, and teachers all over the country are preparing for “testing season.” Truth be told, teachers prepare for the testing season all year long. Springtime is the finale of tests, and it’s stressful for all parties involved. Many have asked why there are standardized tests. Or […]
Academic Recovery and Student Success: The Tutoring Promise
The COVID-19 pandemic impacted nearly every aspect of education. Moreover, the disruption is magnified without a national system due to the variations across and within states. This constellation of learning realities produces variance in course sequencing, assessment models, and student expectations among neighboring districts. In turn, student achievement is also part of this spectrum. Beyond reports that […]
Spring Break Ambitions
I was in a meeting last week that opened with this icebreaker prompt: What plans do you have for spring break? As I quickly arranged my wish list and turned to my “shoulder partner” to share, I thought, “when is spring break again?” The short answer, it is fast approaching…, and I better get started. […]
Spring Break Ambitions
I was in a meeting last week that opened with this icebreaker prompt: What plans do you have for spring break? As I quickly arranged my wish list and turned to my “shoulder partner” to share, I thought, “when is spring break again?” The short answer, it is fast approaching…, and I better get started. […]
Problem-solving Technology for K-12 schools
This past week we had a horrible snowstorm. Not unusual for February, but the snow, rain, and sub-zero temperatures caused havoc the following day for internet and cell phone providers. Thinking nothing of it, I bundled up and headed off to work. I was greeted by an intercom announcement stating the internet was down and concluded […]
Academic Recovery and Student Success: The Tutoring Promise
The COVID-19 pandemic impacted nearly every aspect of education. Moreover, the disruption is magnified without a national system due to the variations across and within states. This constellation of learning realities produces variance in course sequencing, assessment models, and student expectations among neighboring districts. In turn, student achievement is also part of this spectrum. Beyond reports that […]
Digital Marketing and Advertising and the Importance of Writing Compelling Emails
The amount of marketing emails I receive from educators on a weekly basis is staggering. Despite this being a flattering gesture – relevance is important – I must admit that most of them go unread before being deleted. A few are briefly read with me not getting much farther than the first paragraph or highlighted […]
The Importance of Family Engagement
“Family Engagement” is one of the latest buzzwords in education. However, events planned by school districts are about more than just fun and games. Research on family engagement and activities supports their students’ and community’s academic and social needs. Furthermore, holding family events can shape the lives of all involved. Therefore, it is a vital […]
Flexible School Year Calendars Provide Relief, Retention, and Renewal
There is a growing trend amongst public K-12 schools throughout the country, and it is a shift in scheduling. Flexible school year calendars are a happy medium between a traditional school year calendar and a year-round calendar providing relief, retention, and renewal. The verdict? Teachers approve, and so do students and their parents. A flexible […]
Falling in Love with Teaching…Again
It’s February, and love is in the air, with Valentine’s Day just around the corner. Stores are full of candy and exploding with all things red, pink, and heart-shaped! Some people love Valentine’s Day, while others are indifferent or think it’s silly. Celebrate as you wish! As a teacher, it’s a joyful time in the classroom. Elementary teachers celebrate with […]
Real World Classroom Tech Issues
When I entered the education profession, I was warned and nurtured about the use and roles of technology in my classroom. The advice was well-meaning and helped frame my personal vision regarding educational technology in relation to my content knowledge and instructional practices. A synthesis of these three domains (content, instruction, and technology) is best articulated in […]
Classroom’s Latest Technology
Keeping up with the latest trends is a daunting task for teachers. I received my master’s degree in educational technology, and this is one of my passions as an educator. Technology can save time, reinforce teaching concepts, and engage students. Look no further; we have ideas and creative ways to help you improve your teaching […]
Mental Health IS Health
Educators know that mental health issues existed before the pandemic, and there have always been issues. Enter the pandemic, and all problems, from learning gaps to mental health needs for students and teachers, were exasperated. Time, effort, and funds have been poured into school districts to help combat the impact of the pandemic, and there […]
Supporting Classroom Technology and Teachers Practices
It is a commonly held belief that, over time, technology has changed how we “do education.” Just think about how you learned and compare that to the current educational technology landscape. One conclusion your memories may yield is that the only constant (especially when it comes to education) is changing. However, qualifying this truism is […]
Don’t Bridge the Gap; build a New Road: Combatting Learning Loss in 2023
Learning loss existed before Covid-19, and there was a definite learning gap before the pandemic. Covid-19 widened that gap and shined a bright light on what’s happening in K-12 education. The silver lining to all of this is now we know, or instead, everyone knows, what’s going on, and now it’s time to take steps […]
Begin 2023 With Intention
Getting back into the new year can be a challenge after having a two-week hiatus. Reaching winter break is a milestone; however, there is much more to accomplish this school year. Educators can focus on learning and growth by being intentional and utilizing technology resources. Be intentional about expectations. Reteaching classroom rules and expectations […]
Engage and Grow
A common question among K-12 education is, “how do we engage our students?” Students in 2022 have a large variety of learning tools and resources that allow them to do the basics of fundamental learning while also allowing them to participate in STEM projects and tour landmarks virtually, such as The Smithsonian, as well as […]
The Importance of Planning Professional Learning Communities
“Professional Learning Communities” is not a new educational concept. However, essential strategies must be implemented to make them more effective. Being a district that has seen the evolution of PLCs, there are immediate strategies that should be implemented. Consider the following when evaluating the effectiveness of a PLC in a school or district. Agendas- The […]