There is no doubt that the neglect of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics – better known as STEM in educational circles – has come at our own peril. Our students’ achievement in mathematics is surely not where other Americans expect it to be, and the comfort of anyone saying “I hate math” is embarrassing. As […]
Recruitment & Retention
Posted inOpinion
Want to Keep Special Education Teachers? Try Mentorship
“[O]ne of the most vital ways we sustain ourselves is by building communities of resistance, places where we know we are not alone.” -bell hooks Isolation island seems to be the name of the game when you enter into the special education profession. It’s often a sink or swim mentality which results in teacher retention […]
Posted inEquity
Moving Beyond Diversity to Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging: Lessons from a Sunday Sermon
Have you signed up for The Educator’s Room Daily Newsletter? Click here and support independent journalism! Black teachers are leaving education at an alarming rate. What can we do to address this? Recently I gleaned some ideas from a Sunday Sermon at my church. Mary Stutts, Chief Global Health Equity and Inclusion Officer, author, and […]
Posted inOpinion
The Five Love Languages for Teachers
Have you signed up for The Educator’s Room Daily Newsletter? Click here and support independent journalism! “I don’t know how you teach! I couldn’t take it!” I had heard this statement so many times I decided to ask the very next person who said that to me a question. “Take what?” My come-back sounded much […]
Posted inInterviews
Chalkboards and Beats
A Conversation with Award-Winning Educator and Recording Artist, MR Carter It’s no secret that more Black male educators are needed in the classroom. Nothing makes it more evident than the post that’s been floating around Facebook for years. It reads, “What grade were you in when you had your first Black male teacher?” Although I’m […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education
Teacher Pay Equity: I Could Afford to Stay in Education Because I Had a Partner Who Financially Supports Me
Sometimes I forget that I have spent my entire adulthood in a two-income household.
Posted inAsk a Teacher
The Formal Observation: When Teachers and Administrators Dance
Every school year, teachers across the country play a sort of game. It is mostly an activity we play alone, like solitaire. We plan lessons in units to cover roughly 180 instructional days, with the intent that learning occurs. Most tenured teachers get one to two chances to demonstrate how we play this game and […]
Posted inProfessional Development
Veteran Teachers Need Choice & Customized Professional Development
I completed 13 years as an educator when I wrapped up last school year. I don’t know exactly what year this took place, but at some point, I crossed over to being labeled a veteran educator. When you are considered a veteran educator, colleagues begin to view you as an expert in your craft and […]