“When despair for the world grows in me,” writes Wendell Berry. “I come into the peace of wild things who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief.” This poem is recited at the beginning of every class I teach. The class is called Wilderness Literature. The intent of the poem is to transition from […]
classroom
Posted inMental Health
From Discussion to Instruction: The Mental Health Paradox in Public Education
By Jessica Lyons There seems to be a paradox in public education regarding helping students cope with mental health issues. On the one hand, the federal government is pushing to fund more resources for mental health services. In the past few months, the federal government allocated $188 million to increase access to school-based mental health […]
Posted inMental Health
From the Classroom to the Bedroom: Tips for Educators to Get More Rest
Have you signed up for The Educator’s Room Newsletter? Click here and support independent journalism! Undoubtedly, as educators, we have all had some sleepless nights. There is a never-ending to-do list that haunts our desks during the day. The attention our students require is mentally and physically draining. We teachers have every reason to be […]
Posted inPedagogy
Why I Threw Out My Science Textbook
Students need access to BIPOC and LGBTQ perspectives across content areas Have you signed up for The Educator’s Room Daily Newsletter? Click here and support independent journalism! “I wish every month was Black History month.” “Shut up about it already and get over it; it’s over, accept it and move on.” A year later, this […]
Posted inPedagogy
Use Kagan Strategies to Create Student-Centered Classroom
Have you signed up for The Educator’s Room Daily Newsletter? Click here and support independent journalism! My students began to get a little “off” as the second semester approached in my classroom. Off task, off behaviorally, off academically – call it what you will, but they were not the cooperative, attentive fourth graders I had […]
Posted inOpinion
Remove Heteronormativity from Your Classroom Valentine’s Day Celebrations
Have you signed up for The Educator’s Room Daily Newsletter? Click here and support independent journalism! Every teacher knows that classrooms are buzzing with excitement on Valentine’s Day. Students are eager to share cards and candy with their classmates; some even have a special someone they plan on giving a gift to. But, unfortunately, on […]
Posted inOpinion
The Secret Lives of Young People
How Interest-Based Mentorships Can Transform Education Have you signed up for The Educator’s Room Daily Newsletter? Click here and support independent journalism! Late in the spring of my first year teaching, we paused academic classes and bussed over to an auditorium for something called a “Mentorship Festival.” I had little idea what to expect. At […]
Posted inPedagogy
Combine the World Cup and Learning in Your Elementary Classroom
Have you signed up for The Educator’s Room Daily Newsletter? Click here and support independent journalism! Students have been buzzing in my fourth-grade class since the World Cup began on November 20. It was evident this was an event they were interested in, but knowing very little about soccer, I was unsure how I could share […]