I think we can all collectively agree that trying to teach to students still fixated about who won or lost (or cheated) in their most recent athletic endeavor in gym class is not only time-consuming, but also teeth-gritting and nerve-fraying. As an elementary music teacher, 50% of the students I teach each day are coming […]
Posted inElementary School
Steady Hands, Open Hearts: Helping Early Childhood Families Thrive Through Change
In early childhood education, we often talk about the importance of creating stable, nurturing environments for young children. But what about the families who entrust us with their most precious ones? How do we, as educators, support families through the inevitable transitions that life brings? These transitions—whether moving to a new home, adjusting to a […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Relax Teachers, You’ve Been Doing it All Along
Think back to your favorite teacher. I had two, Mrs. Swartz and Mr. Clevenger. One was my 1st grade teacher and the other, my 9th grade Social Studies teacher. They taught way back in the 1960’s and 70’s. As a student, I wasn’t able to label their teaching methods, but I did know they were […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
When Teaching Hurts: When Teaching Becomes Violent
Breaking the Silence I am an educator who became the victim of a student assault—an experience that changed my life and my career in ways I never expected. For years, I found it hard to talk about what happened. The trauma was too intense, and the memories too overwhelming. But now, after completing my Doctorate, […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
It’s Writing Time: Helping young writers find their voice
Have you ever found yourself in the hallway discussing curriculum with your colleagues? All of a sudden, a casual stroll turns into a 20-minute conversation. As you finally make it back to your classroom, your to-do list grows as you think about all the changes you want to make. Many teachers want to ensure that […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education
Trump administration abandons appeal targeting DEI in education
The Trump administration has withdrawn a significant initiative that sought to curb diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts across schools and colleges. The Trump administration has filed a notice withdrawing its appeal in a case that sought to roll back more than 60 years of civil rights protections in public education after attempting to require […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Congress pushes back against Trump’s education cuts in FY 2026 budget proposal
This week, both Democratic and Republican congressional lawmakers released a fiscal year 2026 education budget proposal that rejects the Trump administration’s plans to reduce funding for the U.S. Department of Education and eliminate financial aid programs. The plan is part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to “take all necessary steps to close the Department […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
New unbanned book network aims to counter rising book bans in schools
In response to the nationwide surge in book bans, a grassroots organization dedicated to increasing diversity in publishing is launching a program to counteract censorship in schools and libraries. This week, We Need Diverse Books, or WNDB, announced the creation of the Unbanned Book Network, focused on donating books by authors who have been banned and select […]