Learning Loss and Second Chances
Meredith Biesinger When the world shut down in March of 2020, and school districts had to develop a plan for virtual or “at-home” learning within days, it is safe to say that we as educators were traveling down a road that had NEVER been taken before. The phrase “learning loss” has been discussed quite a […]
The Potential Gains of Learning Loss in Students
The core principle of student learning loss is that learning decays over time when students don’t engage with it regularly. Placed in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the lack of engagement came due to many circumstances. Among these were family and life tragedies, mental health and wellness, and a switch in priorities emphasizing survival. […]
Data Speaks Louder Than Words
Meredith Biesinger In a recent survey conducted by Harris Poll, on behalf of Agile Education Marketing and Sheer ID, a random sample of K-12 teachers were invited to respond to relevant questions about the 2020-2021 school year. It should come as no surprise that across the board, the 2020-2021 school year was the most challenging […]
Teacher Professional Development: What Skills are Priorities Now?
Teresa Marchant Professional development opportunities: Teacher Professional development opportunities have drastically changed due to Covid and additional advancements in technology. These unforeseen changes have been challenging, not just for us as educators but for students as well. Frequent instructional interruptions due to illness, quarantines, and school schedules will impact future learning. In addition, they may […]
Student Discipline in the Virtual Classroom
Meredith Biesinger Classroom management and student discipline can be one of the most complex parts of teaching. Throw in a pandemic and virtual learning, and it seems nearly impossible! Classroom management has always been a top professional need for teachers, and now it is more than ever. Over the last eighteen months, we’ve seen a […]
Classrooms, Curriculum, and JOY!
Meredith Biesinger When asked, “What type of curriculum do you want to add to your classroom this fall?” Of course, I could rattle off a list of items and resources that would be beneficial. Still, my initial response is, “I want to incorporate joy.” Before I add any additional resources, I want to ensure that […]
Designing a Contemporary Curriculum: Do you accept the Challenge?
Craig Perrier This is a dynamic time to be in the field of education. Maybe it always is. But the changes happening now feel less imposed by external forces – politicians, testing companies, etc. – and more as people involved with the field generate improvements. Moreover, the democratization of ideas provided by technology has increased […]
Back to School, Are You Ready?
Meredith Biesinger School is out for summer, Yet it will be the 2021-2022 school year in the blink of an eye! Even during the summer, teachers are always in preparation mode, so now is an ideal time to reach out to educators and ask how you can help them while offering your services and products. […]
Decisions and Impacts of School Choice
Meredith Biesinger Once upon a time, there used to be limited K-12 education options for students and their families’ decisions. Now, so many options are available that it can be overwhelming for families to decide on the best fit for their child. It can also be equally overwhelming for businesses trying to market K-12 schools […]
Stakeholders in the Public Elementary School Setting
Teresa Marchant Identifying all stakeholders is a necessary step in the design process. This process is a strategic way to identify needs and implementation of solutions. Stakeholders can provide various perspectives that help decision-makers identify needs in a school or district. Receiving input is an integral part; otherwise, a school district, in reality, could be […]
Stakeholders in the Public School Setting
Teresa Marchant Identifying all stakeholders is a necessary step in the design process. This process is a strategic way to identify needs and implementation of solutions. Stakeholders can provide various perspectives that help decision-makers identify needs in a school or district. Receiving input is an integral part; otherwise, a school district, in reality, could be […]
Decision Making, Solutions, and Value:
Craig Perrier Education is not easy. It is an experience where we can guarantee that regardless of the outcome, we will always hear that we got it wrong. It is important to note that guiding their decision-making as familiar principle educators will point to as a factor in their process. It says, “What we have […]
Decision Making, Solutions, and Value
Craig Perrier Education is not easy. It is an experience where we can guarantee that regardless of the outcome, we will always hear that we got it wrong. It is important to note that guiding their decision-making as familiar principle educators will point to as a factor in their process. It says, “What we have […]
Preparing Students for their Educational Future: Not Falling Between the Cracks
There has been heightened awareness about learning inequalities. This has led to many predictions about our students’ deficits this year. Some are calling it the “covid slide.” However, there have always been gaps in student learning for various reasons. These have been created by high absenteeism, little or no background knowledge, home environment or support, […]
Academics, Life Skills, and the Future
Meredith Biesinger There’s often a misconception about preparation when students transition from high school to higher education. No matter their GPA, or the number of college prep courses taken, students are often unprepared for higher education and all it entails. Yet, these areas tend to trend in life skills, academic rigor, and retention. Four-year universities, […]
Academics, Life Skills, and the Future of Education
Meredith Biesinger There’s often a misconception about preparation when students transition from high school to higher education. No matter their GPA, or the number of college prep courses taken, students are often unprepared for higher education and all it entails. Yet, these areas tend to trend in life skills, academic rigor, and retention. Four-year universities, […]
Looking Forward
Teresa Marchant My phone vibrated on the coffee table… The caller ID displayed “Superintendent”. The Governor had just held a press conference announcing the closure of schools in Montana. I grabbed my phone and took a deep breath… In some ways, this past year has been a blur, in other ways it has felt like […]
Virtual Learning and Tomorrow’s Classroom
Meredith Biesinger Virtual learning is here to stay, in one way, or another…and most likely in a variety of ways, for a variety of reasons. The number one reason? Flexibility. Virtual learning and its ability to provide flexible options for students is most likely our future. The past year has been a model for how […]
Professional Learning Networks: Opportunities and Leadership that Matter
By Craig Perrier Ok, I admit it – I love networking. More specifically, I love developing professional networks, both mine and the people I am connected to. In fact, it is one of the most rewarding professional practices I get to facilitate. The value of a successful, productive introduction connecting people who didn’t know each […]
Be Relevant – Teach Current Events!
K-12 education has an ongoing challenge to remain relevant (current event teaching). As a public institution, shifting practice and policies is a slow process often resulting in technological and cultural lag. It does not feel good to admit that, but consider these two items: Exhibit A – technology devices and bandwidth in schools compared to the private sector Exhibit B – public school desegregation largely began in […]
Classroom Reflections on 2020, and Preparing for 2021
By: Meredith Biesinger As 2020 comes to a close, teachers everywhere are uncertain about what 2021 will bring. While many had hoped for a return to a traditional learning model, that does not appear to be on the horizon for many school districts, in many states, across the country. During one of the most unprecedented times […]
Digital Learning: My new favorite representative(s)
Digital Learning: My new favorite representative(s), and how he/she wooed me in the time of Corona. By: Craig Perrier Remember when you first started working with schools? Think back to those days. What parts of your professional self were elevated by the freshness of the job? How proactive were you with clients? What was your […]
Dear Village of Virtual Vendors…Thank You!
By. Meredith Biesinger When working with students, there’s a common saying that is familiar to all of us: “It takes a village.” However, it also takes a village of vendors to help educators with virtual learning. I am a better virtual educator because of many vendors! There are many education companies in the marketplace right […]
Influencer Marketing in K12 Education
Brian Healy Managing Partner Education Market Experts Whether you were able to attend live, or missed our August webinar due to your busy schedule, we want to share the resources with you! Read on for key insights and information about using influencer marketing to reach educators now. To download the webinar presentation deck, click here. […]