School Choice Enrollment
Teresa Marchant Title 1, Medium district, Suburban, K-6 Why this Topic is Important Parents who homeschool are not public education’s enemies. However, there needs to be an open discussion of its impact on schools. The loss of enrollment means failing state and federal dollars for schools. Those funds are essential to run programs, pay for […]
Seeing Now as a way to Better
Craig Perrier Title 1, Large district, Urban, 9-12 About a month into this school year, a colleague shared clarifying and jarring sentiments. He said, “it feels like we are acting as if everything is normal again.” His comment gave me immediate pause. And as I mentally scanned the current landscape of our school system – […]
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
Craig Perrier 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Classroom Management – It Is All About Relationships
Craig Perrier Whenever classroom management is discussed, I am reminded of two nuggets of wisdom passed on to me by mentors I have had over the years. The first is that (despite what some programs may promise) there is no Gray’s Anatomy for education. If a student acts out in class, I can’t definitively address […]
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 […]
Preparing for Fall
Teresa Marchant Yes, it’s summer, but I’m already thinking about next school year. Last year was crazy, but I am hopeful next year will be somewhat expected. Stakeholders can help educators be ready for back to school by lessening our loads. Resources that include the following will ensure seamless and effective implementation. Professional development opportunities […]
Making Summer Connections
Craig Perrier The summer is often a time for rejuvenation and relaxation for teachers. A meaningful way to think of these months is as a shift in setting, from the classroom to whatever we do in the summer. But our respite is hardly work-free. These weeks away from students is also a time closer to […]
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. […]
Summer Break RESET
Teresa Marchant I have never wanted summer break more this year compared to any other year! Like many other educators around the country, this past school year has stretched me emotionally, academically, and physically. Late nights were filled with grading papers, checking emails, flipping lesson plans, developing additional online lessons, learning new technologies, and attending […]
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 […]
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, […]
Preparing Students for their Educational Future: Gaps and Opportunities
Craig Perrier The first high school I worked at in the late ’90s had an elective course designed to prepare seniors for life after high school. As you may suspect, it was a popular class – innovative, unconstrained by state mandates, student-focused, and made explicit connections between life and the course students were taking. Nevertheless, […]
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, […]