Parents and educators alike often ask the same question: Why does it feel like so much classroom time is spent on behavior, emotions, and social skills instead of academics? The short answer is this: learning cannot happen until students are emotionally ready to learn. When Students Aren’t Ready to Learn When I was teaching in […]
social emotional learning
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
When My Therapy Dog Became My Co-Teacher, and Changed How I Teach
The first time I brought my therapy dog, Little Dude, into my classroom, I expected curiosity, excitement, maybe even distraction. What I didn’t expect was how instantly he transformed the energy of the room, or how profoundly he would reshape the way I think about teaching. I had been volunteering with Little Dude through The […]
Posted inFrom the Front Lines
Do you want to teach empathy? Use Books in World Languages Classrooms
Recently, after reading a troubling article in the New York Times detailing students’ alarming pranks against teachers, I found myself drawn to the comments section. While I shared in the outcry for discipline and action, I couldn’t help but cringe at the focus on the perceived lack of empathy displayed by the students. Research indicates […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Home Visits: Building a classroom family in Room 18
Last summer, I attended an educators’ conference focused on building a positive climate and culture in schools. The conference offered a variety of break-out sessions addressing topics such as engagement, retention, cultural competency, and relationship-building. What are home visits? I quickly noticed “home visits” as a commonly discussed practice at the conference: educators visiting the […]
Posted inOpinion
Why I Don’t Ask, “How was your break?”
Have you signed up for The Educator’s Room Daily Newsletter? Click here and support independent journalism! by Amy Bradley My son, a first grader, can’t wait to tell his teacher and classmates about his Winter Break fun! We got new foster kittens, went on a few outings together, and snuggled up in our warm living […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
What A Trip to Colombia Taught Me About the US Testing Frenzy
Have you signed up for The Educator’s Room Daily Newsletter? Click here and support independent journalism! Testing Frenzy Déjà Vu In recent news, NAEP scores fell dramatically due to COVID-19’s impact on learning. Every media outlet has a take on the situation, and everybody seems concerned. The Secretary of Education said recently that we all need to “raise the bar and […]
Posted inCOVID-19, Elementary School, Mental Health, Opinion, Teacher Burnout, Teacher Self Care
Looping Kept Me From Quitting Teaching. Here’s Why
Isolated Students, Exhausted Teachers and a Call for a Familiar Face Have you signed up for The Educator’s Room Daily Newsletter? Click here and support independent journalism! According to Daniel Malcom at the National Library of Medicine, current trends show that young people are feeling increased levels of loneliness and isolation. This directly correlates with feelings […]
Posted inOpinion
Recess is a Right for Students
What the Nation Can Learn from Georgia Elementary Schools Have you signed up for The Educator’s Room Daily Newsletter? Click here and support independent journalism! Good news for Georgia students: recess is now mandatory! May 2022 has marked a new beginning in the Georgia School System. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed a bill into law […]