Schools may not be reflecting the needs of the economy and society in regard to some things like how teaching and learning take place, how technology is used, how subjects are organized, standards are applied, or assessments are developed,  but they do reflect society's hunger for heroes.  Just like the world outside of schools, where athletes, movie stars, authors, and rock stars have fans and followers, educators choose their own rock stars to revere. …

 Some might think I'm flippant when I compare reigning educational theory with a common street con.

 No, I'm entirely serious. The common denominator is verbal and intellectual sleight-of-hand.

 Anyone who teaches reading or wants to understand our reading crisis should take a few minutes to explore this article and the accompanying…

Mindfulness is all the rage these days. Schools across the world are embracing mindfulness as an antidote for rising stress, emotional regulation, and attention deficit. Moreover, evidence is mounting for the positive impact of mindfulness-based interventions on each of the major Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Core Competencies.



For example, mindfulness practices have been found to benefit executive functioning in students (Flook et al, 2010),…

EATING AND HEALTH

Schools are local entities, basically funded by mostly local taxes and are subsidized by state and national government funds. Lobbies exist, even if shrouded in sheep's clothing.  There has been no time in recent memory when discussion of school improvement was not in the news, or on the minds of leaders, boards, parents, communities, and politicians. Each has a vested interest in the quality of education.  There are the plethora of businesses that offer advice through professional…

True story. A very aggressive parent pushed and provoked a principal until he blurted out all the dirty secrets.

Nothing the parent said could change his mind on anything. If the parent's child wanted a better education, the kid will have to go somewhere else. Etc.

 This short article got 350 positive comments so you know it's interesting material. Many people wonder why the schools seem to actually favor ignorance. It's all part of a…

For some, a leader stands above us and apart from us, in a position of authority, and guides us toward a vision. For others, leaders are one of us, inclusive in process, and highly transparent as we move toward the vision. Both can be inspiring and also can be successful. The heavy lift rests in the blending of these; the yearning for the patriarch who vowed to take care of us all and so we followed and the yearning to own a part of the leadership process with efficacy seeking a leader…

The first year of teaching can be overwhelming.  Trying to navigate an often illogical system and find your niche in the school culture that you hope to thrive in is stressful enough.  Add in trying to apply all you have learned about teaching and learning during four years of college while struggling with classroom management, student motivation, and parents, and there are a lot of sleepless nights.  I remember questioning my choice to be a teacher often…

Let’s Stop Grading Our Kids on Responsibility

BY AMBER CHANDLER · 09/11/2016

How an award-winning teacher uses an app and camera phone to reinforce good math skills

Leaders are extraordinary people. To be clear, we are talking about persons who choose to take the responsibility of leading and do so with integrity and with courage and with purpose, not those who have simply attained positions of power and authority. The difference is often revealed in moments.  In schools, sometimes leaders can be found within those who step into that role when a crisis arises or who speak up when a wrong is being done or who become a champion for those who are…

How to Teach for Real Life Learning

BY MIDDLEWEB · 07/30/2014