Mico-Credentials: Short and Focused Content, With A BIG Impact
Mico-Credentials: Short and Focused Content, With A BIG Impact Micro-credentials in K-12 education are gaining popularity in the education space right now. To understand the basics of this concept, think of the design of a video game. Or, turn on a gaming platform. Most major games include an accompanying set of badges or achievements. Players […]
Celebrate Teachers!
Celebrate Teachers! Teacher Appreciation Week is just around the corner. This is a treasured time, not because of the gifts received but because it’s nice to be appreciated. Truth be told, teachers are and should be appreciated all year long. Think of all the many things you do in one day, or think of a […]
ESSER Funding Ends in 2024…What Next?Â
ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funds that were part of The American Rescue Plan Act passed on March 11, 2021, provided $122.7 billion in supplemental ESSER funding, known as the ESSER III.  The funds allocated to local districts are meant to be flexible. Federal guidance outlines 20 different uses for ESSER III funds, and we […]
Early Childhood Education and K-12 Education Collaborations
The WHY of Early Childhood Education and K-12 Education Collaborations A child’s brain develops very quickly in the first five years of life. Having quality early learning is vital for their future success. Studies show the importance that educational programs have on a child’s social and academic growth. Many supporters understand this, but there are […]
Combating Teacher Shortages in 2023
Combatting Teacher Staffing Shortages Teaching staffing challenges are here to stay. Hopes of the issue being a short-term effect have been dashed. And no school type, level, or location is immune. Positioning your organization to be a partner in combating staffing shortages is both an act of self-preservation and an opportunity to be an innovator […]
Spring Cleaning in 2023
Spring Cleaning in 2023 It’s Time For…Spring Cleaning! I find myself looking at stacks of clutter that have built over the LONG winter months and ask myself if I have a problem because I’ve seen too many episodes of the Hoarders series. Something needs to be done because it’s not only in my classroom but […]
The Importance of School Safety
The Importance of School Safety American public schools have been under increasing pressure to prioritize safety. For institutions across the nation, from K-12 schools and early learning to higher education, security in the school climate is becoming more valuable than ever. A supportive and safe environment is essential when it comes to creating a place […]
Supporting Student Well-Being
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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
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 […]
Don’t Bridge the Gap; build a New Road: Combatting Learning Loss in 2023
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 […]
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 […]
Gratitude for Education Partners
A significant part of my work involves supporting high school teachers and helping them do their things well. Typically, this support consists of using instructional practices, assessing students, classroom management strategies, and implementing digital and traditional content resources. Ultimately, my support is designed to impact the learning experiences of students in a positive way. To […]
Dear Stakeholders, Thank you.
Dear Stakeholders, Thank you. Being thankful is a life skill that everyone should practice every day. We all have something to be grateful for. The Thanksgiving holiday is just around the corner, and a heightened sense of gratitude comes with this holiday. With everything there is to be thankful for, there’s no doubt that teachers […]
The Importance of Parent Resources
Educating a student typically includes three parties: The teacher, the student, and the parent or guardian. Education changes all of the time. Curriculum, resources, and, indeed, technology have changed over the years and continue to do so. Parent resources are essential because, for example, many parents were not taught the style of Math in the […]
Facilitating Learning vs. Teaching Â
Teaching is often described as a professional practice with dispositions and beliefs in both the humanist and the scientist. Most notably, this binary was identified as part of the popular consciousness view of education by C.P. Snow in his work The Two Cultures. It is important to note that Snow’s premise sees this separation as a false […]