By Maria Montalvo-Balbed Often, principals or school leaders with whom I am working ask me to provide them with no more than three implementable strategies to make an ELL population successful. I wish it were that easy to name just three “things” to help students automatically develop great listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. As […]
Posted inAdult Learning, Featured, Instruction & Curriculum
Learning Styles Matter
As teachers, we know that not everyone learns the same way. Some people are auditory learners who do very well in a situation where the teacher lectures. Others are visual learners who must see something to comprehend. If you are a good reader you can succeed as a visual learner. If you are not a good […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, Instruction & Curriculum, Instructional Strategies, Middle School, Opinion
Preparing For Success: Helping Students Prepare For What Comes Next
I have two college-aged children, with my third a sophomore in high school. My husband and I, both teachers, planted the seed of ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ in all three of them early on. I remember playing blocks with my oldest and constantly saying things like, “Architects build!” or […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, School Improvement
Doing the Differentiation Dance
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”] Earlier this year, my department administrator came by to do one of the four classroom observations she does each semester. We were at the very beginning of a unit so I […]
Posted inFeatured, Middle School
Off-Team Blues in Middle School
The final bell rang and I look out over the sea of empty desks in my classroom. “Where is everyone?” I ask the spattering of students who showed up. The response: “Team 2 has a field trip today.” Ah. It’s not easy being an ‘off-team teacher’ in a team-based middle school. We are always the […]
Posted inHigh School, Literacy, Opinion
Sharing a Blessing in Teaching
Do you know what it means by giving/receiving a “Blessing”? This was a new concept to me when I heard this phrase a few years ago, but I have since come to understand the importance of its meaning. What is a blessing? It’s approval, it’s unconditional love, it’s showing someone that you do not necessarily approve […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Principals' Corner, School Improvement
Smooth Sailing to School Leadership: Transitioning from Teacher to Administrator
By Dawn Imada Chan Congratulations! You survived the grueling application and interview process, signed your contract, and can’t wait to take on your first year as a school administrator. Here are some tips to make the transition a productive one and sure to set you off on the path to success. Relationships, Relationships, Relationships Your […]
Posted inPrincipals' Corner
Five Things You Think Principals Want to Hear (and What They Really Want to Hear)
By Jessica Bohn Having conducted many teacher interviews, I sometimes see a pattern emerge from candidates’ answers during job interviews. Sometimes it is thought that if teacher candidates use the current buzzwords, they are sure to make a good impression. However, the reality is that most principals have conducted countless interviews and can see through […]