The teaching world felt like it was under my fingertips. At 22 years old, walking into my first classroom as a third-grade teacher, I was certain I had everything I needed to help my students succeed. I had passion, training, and high expectations. I had read the statistics about teacher burnout and high attrition rates […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Washington County Board of Education member censured for calling a student “hot”
Today on May 19, 2026, the Washington County Superintendent, Jerry Boyd, released the following statement on behalf of the Board of Education: The Board of Education has been notified that formal charges of simple assault have been filed against Board Member Keith Ervin following an incident involving a student representative at the April 2, 2026, […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Lawsuit Targets i-Ready Maker Over Student Data Privacy Concerns
A group of K–12 students has filed a federal class action lawsuit against Curriculum Associates, Inc., the maker of the widely used i-Ready educational platform, alleging that the company unlawfully collects and shares student data without proper consent. The case, M.C. v. Curriculum Associates, is emerging as a significant legal battle over student privacy in […]
Posted inInterviews
Gratitude Tour: Bob O’Connor
Bob O’Connor and I met during our 7th grade year at South High (a small neighborhood school that included 7th through 12th grades) and became best friends fairly quickly. I immediately liked Bob because of his positive outlook on life, his sly sense of humor, and mostly his family values. Only later did I discover […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
When Students Think in L1 First: What Teachers Often Misunderstand About Language Learning
William’s mother sent me a message on WeChat after our first lesson together. “I can roughly understand why his English now sounds like Chinglish,” she wrote. “It’s because he’s been away from the teaching approach of that international school for about two years, and he’s read very few English novels in the past two years. […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Everything Educators Need to Know About the Seal of Biliteracy Requirements: 5 Common FAQs
In an increasingly globalized world, multilingualism has become a highly valuable skill. The Seal of Biliteracy has become a prestigious benchmark in the American education system, serving as recognition of multilingual excellence among youth across the country. Given its widespread recognition and distinguished nature, it is imperative that educators understand the specific requirements and pathways […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Beyond the Bell: A New Jersey Teacher’s Adventure of Learning, Healing, and Storytelling
Education does not end when the dismissal bell rings. For many educators, teaching is not simply a profession; it is a calling that extends into homes, communities, and the everyday moments that shape a child’s growth. After more than 30 years in education, teaching in Franklin, Piscataway, and Edison, I have come to understand that […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Building Empathic Classrooms: What We Gain from Peer Support Models
A Need to Belong My memories of being bullied in middle school and high school are still vivid. As an individual on the autism spectrum, the complexities of social relationships were especially challenging during my formative years. It is with great empathy that I now approach the challenge of inclusive settings as an educator. I […]