Warning: Spoiler alert to Ted Lasso Season 1-3! A friend recently recommended that I watch Ted Lasso. For those not in the know, it’s a show about an American coach who takes over an English football club. Despite what at times seems like the entire world against him, Ted Lasso keeps positive and as he […]
Thomas Courtney
Thomas Courtney is a senior policy fellow with Teach Plus, a member of Edsource's Advisory Committee, and author of many articles on educational curriculum and policy. He is also a fifth-grade teacher, guide teacher, and father of a child at a Title 1 school in southeast San Diego.
Posted inBack to School
5 Important Things To Tell Your Entire Class From Day One
“Just don’t smile until Christmas,” a more veteran colleague once advised me at the start of the school year. It never struck me as particularly wise when teaching a class of students. Having had 23 classes of students since then, I’ve learned a lot about what to do and what not to do long before […]
Posted inClassroom Management
Change Your Classroom Culture From Day One: Give It A Name
“After all, we are the Legendary Thunder Hawks,” says Joan. “So you know our presentations for Black History Month are going to be legendary.” And that’s when I smile from ear to ear. For the last 15 years, my class has selected their own name. The Noble Lions survived Covid-they were fearless and encouraging at […]
Posted inOpinion
Opinion: While Zuckerberg and Musk Battle, Educators Should Be Wary of Their Advertisement
Zuckerberg and Musk are battling over rival social media platforms right now, and let me say right away that I’m not much of a fan of either. While Musk seemed content to sell us Teslas simply, he’s now in the business of Twitter. Zuckerberg, on the other hand, has been attempting to market share his […]
Posted inInterviews
An Idaho teen who won his school board election has a message for educators
The Educator’s Room Interviews Shiva Rajbhandari Have you signed up for The Educator’s Room Daily Newsletter? Click here and support independent journalism! Less than a decade ago, the idea of students serving on school boards was the topic of debate in places like the Atlantic. Jacoba Urist, writing for the Atlantic in 2014, suggested that even […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education
A 6-year-old Shot His Teacher: Can We Stop the Broken Record of School Shootings?
Have you signed up for The Educator’s Room Daily Newsletter? Click here and support independent journalism! A 6-year-old shot his teacher? A 6-year-old shot his teacher. Since Friday I have been repeating this over and over in my head, like the broken record of phrases I use to redirect students back to important tasks. At […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
What A Trip to Colombia Taught Me About the US Testing Frenzy
Have you signed up for The Educator’s Room Daily Newsletter? Click here and support independent journalism! Testing Frenzy Déjà Vu In recent news, NAEP scores fell dramatically due to COVID-19’s impact on learning. Every media outlet has a take on the situation, and everybody seems concerned. The Secretary of Education said recently that we all need to “raise the bar and […]
Posted inPedagogy
Teaching Central America Week Is October 3rd-October 9th
Here’s Why You Don’t Want to Miss It And How to Get Started Have you signed up for The Educator’s Room Daily Newsletter? Click here and support independent journalism! Across the USA, it’s National Hispanic Heritage Month. Here in San Diego, my class and I are celebrating the contributions of great artists and courageous leaders like […]