Sheila Ray Cooper and I met in the first grade at Giffin Elementary School in South Knoxville, TN. She was Sheila Ray in those days and was one of a handful of friends with whom I attended school from 1962 to 1975. I admired her friendliness most of all. Even though she toppled me every single time in spelling bees and […]
Posted inOpinion
We should model failure, not just success
I am an educator who is also on the autism spectrum. Throw in a hearing impairment and learning disability, my teaching style is bound to be unique. I also have a Master’s Degree rooted in behavioral science, this leads to a tendency to analyze outcomes. One outcome that was of particular significance came out of […]
Posted inSpecial Education
Data Meets Dyslexia: What AI Could Mean for Identification in Schools
The Growing Role of AI in Education “Artificial intelligence (AI) is going to become the future of education,” a colleague recently remarked in passing. As a current Dyslexia Interventionist, I have found myself returning to this statement again and again. While AI is undoubtedly becoming a critical component of modern classrooms, an important question remains: […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Learning to Slow Down and Let Students Lead the Learning
In a world driven by rigid pacing guides and shifting benchmarks, classrooms often feel like a race toward a moving finish line. Many educators believe constant instruction equals real learning. Silence can feel uncomfortable. Yet, that quiet space may actually be where students begin thinking, questioning, and forming their own understanding. However, the most profound […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
What Is Speech Language Pathology?
What Is Speech Language Pathology? Communication is the cornerstone of daily interactions, shaping your personal, social, and professional life. Central to the field of communication disorders lies Speech Language Pathology (SLP), a discipline focused on diagnosing and treating a wide range of speech, language, and communication challenges. This article explores the essence of Speech Language […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Teaching Across Borders and Possibilities: The Global Vision of Dr. Angello Villarreal
In classrooms across America, educators often speak about the power of representation, belonging, and resilience. Few embody those values as fully as Angello Villarreal, a scholar, teacher, and community leader whose journey from Peru to New Jersey classrooms reflects the transformative potential of education itself. Dr. Villarreal teaches at Freehold Township High School and RAISE […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
The Power of Connection: Lessons from the Teachers We Never Forget
It surely takes little effort for most of us visiting The Educator’s Room to conjure up memories of favorite teachers and in our imaginations picture them in their classroom kingdoms. Mr. Hemphill is the teacher I see, a square-built man with thinning sandy-colored hair, who always wore a tie and white shirt with its sleeves […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Teaching the Whole Human: The Relational Leadership of Dr. Leigh Alley
In an era when education policy often focuses on test scores, pacing guides, and performance metrics, educators like Dr. Leigh Alley are reminding the profession of a foundational truth: schools are human systems before they are academic ones. A lifelong coastal Mainer and proud public educator, Dr. Alley serves as Coordinator of Teacher Education at […]