According to Dr. Heidi Hayes Jacobs, “curriculum making is choice making” and a person who designs curriculum well not only has a variety of styles, but responds well to the environment, stays up-to-date on research, and makes choices based on good information (Laureate Education, 2010.). As the field of education changes so frequently with regards […]
professional development
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Instructional Coach Files, Principals' Corner, Uncategorized
Instructional Coaching: Finding Your Purpose
You clear your throat. “Today we’re going to learn how to monitor data in our classrooms..” You look around the room and 20 pairs of eyes are looking at you waiting for you to finish your sentence. “..and how to increase student achievement at our school.” As you turn around to grab your handouts you […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Instruction & Curriculum, Uncategorized
Trusting Teachers Creates Truly Successful Schools
I am lucky. As these final days of summer tick away, I find myself, like many teachers, preparing to return to my classroom: reviewing curriculum, revamping lessons, and revving my recharged engines. However, I’m not doing this on my own. I have the fortune of working in a collaborative, creative environment with teachers from around […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, How to Fix Education, Professional Development
It is Not Easy to be a Change Agent in Education
“The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.” Albert Einstein [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”] I will say it: it is difficult to be […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, From the Front Lines, High School, Instruction & Curriculum, Instructional Strategies, Literacy, Middle School, Uncategorized
15 Summer Reads for Teachers
Ah, summer. The days are long and the possibilities endless. It’s the perfect time to recuperate from a long school year, and look forward to the possibilities and opportunities the new year will afford. It’s also time to relax a little. And what better way to relax than with a great book? I’ve compiled a […]
Posted inFeatured, Technology
EdCampKS: Professional Development for YOU
Teachers are in the field every day teaching. They use technology, adapt technology, and know what technology works with kids. So attending a conference led by teachers is empowering. Friday I attended EdCampKS. This conference was organized by teachers for teachers with presentations by teachers. The morning started with blocks of time scheduled on poster […]
Posted inEnglish Language Learners, ESOL, Professional Development
The Real Benefits of Action Research
This past semester, as part of a graduate course for a new certification, I did an action research project with some of my second graders. Action research is basically the process of a teacher taking on the role of “researcher” in her or his own classroom with a specific goal in mind. The idea is […]
Posted inFeatured, Professional Development
Before that last school bell rings: How to sustain yourself as a professional
The end of a school year arrives with both relief and trepidation for many teachers. Some are limping toward the finish line after a Spring of relentless testing cycles, struggles to get students to the point of mastery, threats of budget shortfalls, and general burnout from 60+ hour work weeks for the last 10 months […]