For years, I watched in horror as the curse of the cellphone screen zombie took hold of every student I had, worsening with every update. If having to keep them off their phones all day wasn’t bad enough, most of their time spent in class was on a school-issued device, zombifying them by the hour. […]
student engagement
Posted inPedagogy
Finding Jungles in the City
Sparking Scientific Curiosity Through Relevance One of the problems with STEM education in the United States is its accessibility. Specifically, the inaccessibility gap between students from well-resourced schools and those without. Having AP course offerings, funding for lab materials, access to structured readiness programs, and even something as simple as an Algebra II class can […]
Posted inPedagogy
Why I Threw Out My Science Textbook
Students need access to BIPOC and LGBTQ perspectives across content areas Have you signed up for The Educator’s Room Daily Newsletter? Click here and support independent journalism! “I wish every month was Black History month.” “Shut up about it already and get over it; it’s over, accept it and move on.” A year later, this […]
Posted inPedagogy
Teaching Strategies for Gen Z Students
Have you signed up for The Educator’s Room Daily Newsletter? Click here and support independent journalism! As a teacher belonging to the older generations, Generation X, my personal style growing up featured Doc Martens boots, flannel shirts, and leather jackets. I have a deep fondness for classic arcade games such as Pac-Man and Space Invaders. […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Black History is World History
Have you signed up for The Educator’s Room Daily Newsletter? Click here and support independent journalism! “Wait, can you go back to that slide!?” one of my students asked. It was the beginning of February, and I was teaching a World History class about the Enlightenment. After numerous slides highlighting the ideas of European men, […]
Posted inPedagogy
Use Kagan Strategies to Create Student-Centered Classroom
Have you signed up for The Educator’s Room Daily Newsletter? Click here and support independent journalism! My students began to get a little “off” as the second semester approached in my classroom. Off task, off behaviorally, off academically – call it what you will, but they were not the cooperative, attentive fourth graders I had […]
Posted inOpinion
A Case for Memorization
Have you signed up for The Educator’s Room Daily Newsletter? Click here and support independent journalism! The False Dichotomy of Memorization and “Higher-level Learning” I’ve noticed a trend in recent professional development sessions I’ve attended. There’s an uptick in the use of phrases like “higher-level learning” and “productive struggle.” Of course, all teachers want to […]
Posted inOpinion
Why Every Teacher Should Play De La Soul for Their Students
What De La Soul can teach Black students (and teachers) about breaking the status quo Have you signed up for The Educator’s Room Daily Newsletter? Click here and support independent journalism! I grew up listening to De La Soul. They are part of the landscape of my adolescence and young adult development. The trio from […]