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More School Time, Well Spent, Boosts Academic Achievement and Engagement at Edwards Middle School

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Five Keys to Successful Social and Emotional Learning

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A Parent's Guide to 21st-Century Learning

Blogs on Teacher Leadership

Teacher Leadership

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Get support and guidance from change makers who are organizing and implementing real improvements to our educational system.

A Great Reason for Appreciating High School Teachers

Bob LenzMay 11, 2012

Tags Teacher Development, High (9-12)

I am very grateful for all teachers -- early childhood, elementary, middle, and college. But the world I know best is the work of high school teachers. If you add it up, the average high school teacher works about 70 hours per week and this is just the "business" side of the job.

Sendak: Where the Wild Rumpus Began

Gaetan PappalardoMay 9, 2012

Tags Literacy, Primary (K-2), Teacher Development, Upper Elementary (3-5), English Language Arts

For my son, Max

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Artist: Pearl Jam
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Song: Animal

When I started teaching twelve years ago I found a copy of Where the Wild Things Are in the library left to me from the previous teacher. It is a 1965 edition of the book (I guess the value just went up). I remember sitting on the carpet and reading it. It was the beginning of my teaching career. Now years later I'm only realizing the true power of Wild Things. As authors and teachers, we wish to leave an impression, a footprint, behind that says, "I was here." Now I get to read Wild Things to my son and daughter and students so they too will someday pass it along as well. Thank you, Maurice. Let the wild rumpus begin!!!

Should Students Evaluate Their Teachers?

Ben JohnsonMay 9, 2012

Tags Accountability, Primary (K-2), Teacher Development, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12)

"This course was a complete waste of my time and money!" (What? No way!)

"We need a better instructor that actually knows what he is doing." (I bet I know who wrote that one.)

"The teacher is a great person, however I don't feel he knows how to teach what he knows." (Seriously?)

I was teaching college algebra for the first time, and these were some of the comments (and my reactions as I read them)

The Magnificent 7! A Tribute to Teachers Who Made a Difference

Lisa Michelle DabbsMay 7, 2012

Tags Mentoring, New Teachers, Professional Learning Network (PLN), Teacher Development, All Grades

Monday May 7 through Friday May 11, 2012 is National Teacher Appreciation Week; a time to pay tribute to teachers and, as shared by NEA, a time to "honor local educators and acknowledge the crucial role teachers play in making sure every student receives a quality education."

Six Affirmations for PBL Teachers

Andrew MillerMay 3, 2012

Tags Curriculum, Primary (K-2), Professional Development, Professional Learning Network (PLN), Project-Based Learning, Teacher Development, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12), English Language Arts, Geography, History, Math, Science, World Language Learning

All great teachers do great work. And not only that, but they also do different work. Great teachers are always looking to improve practice, steal ideas and try new things -- all in order to meet the needs of their students. PBL teachers are no exception. Any teacher who is truly doing PBL would also agree that it's different. There is something about being a PBL teacher that requires different work, and work that is especially capitalized when implementing a PBL project. Because I work with so many PBL teachers, I feel there are some things that PBL teachers should specifically be proud of. I present them in these six affirmations.

Marvin Gaye, Civil Rights, and My Heart-to-Heart with John Legend

Gaetan PappalardoMay 1, 2012

Tags Arts Education, Diversity, Leadership, Project-Based Learning, , Technology Integration, Middle (6-8), High (9-12), History, Music, Visual Arts

Singer Marvin Gaye wrote songs to "touch the souls of men [humans]." Isn't that the same reason teachers become teachers? I've never heard a budding education major say, "I want to be a teacher to make sure my kids pass the test." We become educators to inspire and motivate and to create solid, well rounded humans. I guess we can all reflect on our own classroom and ask, "Am I inspiring? Are my students well rounded? Do they think for themselves, or are they test-takers and memorizers?"

Beyond the Teachers' Lounge: The Emerging Connection Gap

Mary Beth HertzApril 30, 2012

Tags Digital Divide, Professional Learning Network (PLN), , Teacher Development, Technology Integration

We often pontificate about the "haves" and the "have-nots" in our schools -- the unfair way that schools are funded, the ways in which some of our students are robbed of opportunity while others are awash in it.

What we don't reflect on enough is how some educators are connected to the global community, emerging trends and research, and larger conversations around reform and the direction of global education in general -- and how so many other educators are simply not tapped into that world.

Parents and Teachers: The Possibility of a Dream Team

Dr. Richard CurwinApril 27, 2012

Tags Parental Involvement, Teacher Development, All Grades

Ineffective communication between parents and teachers can be a major obstacle when trying to solve problems with students, but fortunately it can be improved. Let's first examine the two major causes of communication dysfunction.

Trends in Research-Based Practice: Report from the AERA Conference

Vanessa VegaApril 26, 2012

Tags Arts Education, Integrated Studies, Literacy, Professional Learning Network (PLN), Teacher Development, Technology Integration, All Grades, English Language Arts, Science, Visual Arts

"To know is not enough" was the theme of this year's American Educational Research Association conference. Over 13,000 researchers from over 60 countries met in Vancouver, Canada to present papers and posters in over 2,400 sessions.

Act and Inspire: The Dual Roles of Schools in Environmental Protection

Anne OBrienApril 19, 2012

Tags Curriculum, Environmental Education, Teacher Development, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12)

As we close in on Earth Day 2012, it seems fitting to reflect on the school's dual role in environmental protection.

Like all entities, schools have an environmental footprint. Those in the school generate trash. They use energy for heating, lighting, photocopying and so on. Schools are cleaned using chemicals that have environmental impacts. The list continues.