Why I Love My Job

Why I Love My Job Every February 14, millions of couples gush about why they love each other. Since this is the season for proclaiming passions, we asked six educators a simple question: “What do you love about teaching?” Here’s what they said. Sonja Parks: Watching learning in action The best teachers are also great […]

4 Ways Technology Can Improve SEL Skills

4 Ways Technology Can Improve SEL Skills Today’s classrooms are full of immersive high-tech tools—but at the same time, schools and districts are being pushed to promote social-emotional learning (SEL) and improve school climate. Since spending too much time looking at various screens can hinder the direct connection between people, here are four real-world examples […]

The Biggest Lessons Librarians Learned in 2017

The Biggest Lessons Librarians Learned in 2017 For the sake of our students, we must embrace the changing role of the school librarian. 2017 was a year filled with makerspaces, student engagement, personalized learning, and more. Here, two seasoned librarians shed light on their biggest lessons learned in 2017 and look forward to the up-and-coming […]

3 Ways to Use Video for Training

3 Ways to Use Video for Training Apps like Snapchat, Facebook Live and others have made video a routine form of communication. And now, more teachers are bringing video into their classrooms to support development and instruction. Here are three reasons why you should consider doing the same. Get feedback from peers. More often than not, […]

5 Collaboration Tools Teachers Shouldn’t Live Without

5 Collaboration Tools Teachers Shouldn’t Live Without Connected educator month just happened, but in reality, the connecting never ends. “What does it mean to be a connected educator?” is a question someone recently asked me.  It made me pause. I concluded that a connected educator is: one who seeks collaboration with other educators, experts, and students, both locally […]

A Pennsylvania Elementary School Works to Eliminate the Fear of Public Speaking

A Pennsylvania Elementary School Works to Eliminate the Fear of Public Speaking Previously experienced in The Learning Counsel on October 30, 2017 When teaching the 21st-century skill of communication, many schools focus on reading and writing, but spoken communication is just as important to students’ success in school and in life. Glossophobia, the fear of public […]

2017 Readers’ Choice Awards

2017 Readers’ Choice Awards 10/30/17 previously featured in THE Journal  Silver: Microsoft Skype in the Classroom Favorite Classroom Audio Distribution/Sound Enhancement System (by Brand) Platinum: Lightspeed Technologies Gold: Smart Audio Silver: Califone Top Educational Game or Gamified Learning Tool Platinum: Kahoot Gold: Microsoft Minecraft Silver: Prodigy Math Top Game not Necessarily Designed for Education but Used […]

Math Teacher: These are “My Tech Essentials” for formative assessments

Math Teacher: These are “My Tech Essentials” for formative assessments A seventh-grade math educator shares the tools she uses for student assessments in small groups. Part of preparing students for the real world is teaching them to collaborate and problem-solve while working with others in small groups. My classroom model includes a lot of group […]

School Leaders Reveal the Common Sense Keys to ELL Success

School Leaders Reveal the Common Sense Keys to ELL Success Two educational leaders share their districts’ strategies for supporting ELLs; specifically by meeting ELLs where they are. English language learners (ELLs) are not a monolithic population. They come from different countries, have different levels of English exposure at home, and have widely different educational needs. […]

4 Reasons to Incorporate Video PD in Your Classroom

4 Reasons to Incorporate Video PD in Your Classroom Previously featured in simpleK12 – September 8, 2017 Have you ever found yourself saying, “I just wish you could have seen and heard the student’s conversations for yourself?” Video PD is changing the way teachers engage in peer-to-peer collaboration, and how schools conduct teacher assessments. Here are four […]