The Mexican holiday, Cinco de Mayo, commemorates the Mexican army’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla. While it is a holiday that many Americans enjoy, it also inadvertently reinforces cultural stereotypes. Let’s take the opportunity this Cinco de Mayo to think about how we can foster culturally responsive teaching in our schools and classrooms.



Eileen Whelan Ariza, author of Not for ESOL Teachers, shares the following culturally responsive teaching strategies that are… Continue

In 2007, Karin Chenoweth (@karinchenoweth) wrote a book titled It’s Being Done. Her work highlights numerous schools that are successful with diverse student populations. These schools prove that all students can learn when principals and teachers maintain high expectations and a commitment to the needs of each and every child.



Through a compelling narrative, Chenoweth identified 24 things that successful schools do to meet the needs of all students. How does your school measure… Continue

The spring holiday break is over for most of us now. June will be here before you know it. As you prepare for the remaining days of the school year, here are five things to consider when planning for instruction.



1. Revisit Your Expectations



The final weeks of the school year can be the most challenging. Treat the next week like the first week of school. Have an honest discussion with students about classroom routines, behaviors, and procedures. Make it fun and… Continue

This is a condensed version of an article I wrote for the spring 2014 edition of Living Education eMagazine.



The National Staff Development Council’s Standards for Staff Development provide guidance to school leaders focused on fostering high-quality professional learning communities. Principals who are willing to utilize the standards will find that they enable them to address the varied needs of teachers, which, in turn, enhances the learning of an increasingly diverse student… Continue

1. First you have to join.



Obviously, joining Twitter is the first step towards expanding your personal/professional learning network (PLN). What’s not so obvious, however, is that “how” you start is also important. Don’t be an egg. Put a picture in your profile. Avatars are fine, but educators like to see the actual person they might follow, so take a deep breath and choose a picture you like. Tell us a little bit about yourself in your profile. Who are you? What are your passions?… Continue

This is a guest blog by veteran educator, Deborah Wooleyhand.



I was recently asked to cover a class at a local elementary school during state testing. The teacher I substituted for was administering the assessment to a student with one/one accommodations. I quickly agreed. How hard could it be? I was a kindergarten teacher for 18 years, so covering a class for a few hours would be no problem.



I have been out of the classroom for 13 years. I forgot how children like to push… Continue

President Barack Obama recently announced a new initiative called Race to the Top-Equity and Opportunity. The aims of the program are admirable. The President wants to support states and districts in identifying and closing educational opportunity and achievement gaps (http://www.ed.gov/racetothetop-equity-opportunity). The President, like many politicians and educators, recognizes that we need to do more to ensure that all… Continue

The month of March signals the beginning of testing season for Maryland elementary schools. It’s an annual rite of passage that takes time away from instruction, disrupts the regular schedule, brings children to tears, and produces a general fog of stress to schools across the state. The schedule for testing in our school looks like this:



MSA Reading and Math Grades 3rd-5th March 4-18

MSA Science Grade 5th March 24-April 4

PARCC Field Test (PBA) One 4th grade class March… Continue

The Godfather is arguably one of the best books and movies ever produced. While the violence associated with the film should never be glorified, there are many messages in the movie that can be used to inspire thoughtful leadership in education. My wife, Debbie, and I collaborated to bring you the following ten lessons inspired by the Godfather:



1. “Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.”



Leave the hostility. When working with families and staff you will get farther with… Continue