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We share evidence-based K-12 learning strategies that empower you to improve education.

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Social and Emotional Techniques That Help Students Focus on Academic Progress at Mount Desert Elementary

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John Seely Brown on Motivating Learners (Big Thinkers Series)

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How to Thank a Teacher

Blogs on Community Partnerships

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Design Thinking: Lessons for the Classroom

Betty RayJanuary 3, 2012

Tags Community Partnerships, Professional Learning Network (PLN), Project-Based Learning, Student Engagement, Teacher Development, High (9-12)

Much has been written about changing role of the teacher from "sage on the stage" to "guide on the side." Design thinking, which is a dynamic, creative and collaborative approach to problem solving, presents a unique model for educators who wish to facilitate from within the class, rather than impart knowledge to it.

Intergenerational Learning Changes Learning, Changes Lives

Brendan O'KeefeJanuary 3, 2012

Tags Community Partnerships, Mentoring, Service Learning, , All Grades

As educators, we all know that learning is a powerful experience. But when that learning comes from a respected elder, it can be life-changing.

Students Master Digital Media Skills Teaching Tech to Older Adults

Daphne BradfordNovember 8, 2011

Tags After-School Learning, Community Partnerships, Media Literacy, Technology Integration, High (9-12)

Innovative teaching and student engagement happens when prepared students meet opportunity at the crossroads of education. I saw an example of this powerful intersection when my students -- the Crenshaw High School Digital Media Team -- got the opportunity to teach digital photography and podcasting to adults 50+ at Cal State Dominguez Hills' Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI).

Creating a Strong Parent Community

Marisa KaplanNovember 2, 2011

Tags Community Partnerships, Parental Involvement, Primary (K-2), Teacher Development, Upper Elementary (3-5)

Hands down, teaching children is the most incredible and rewarding occupation that exists. That being said, teaching is a complicated profession for many reasons. There are so many variables that can impact a teacher's year including: class size, administration, supplies and resources, colleagues, class makeup and of course families!

Five Steps to Better School/Community Collaboration

Brendan O'KeefeOctober 19, 2011

Tags Business Partnerships, Community Partnerships, Parental Involvement, Project-Based Learning, Teacher Development, All Grades

As the old African proverb says, "It takes a village to raise a child." One could imagine then that it would take a community to raise a school. We can't rely on local, state, or federal governments to take ownership of the issues we face locally. We need to work as a community to nurture our schools for our particular community needs.

STEMposium Winners: Five Outstanding STEM Projects

Amy WhittakerMay 9, 2011

Tags Community Partnerships, Mentoring, Project-Based Learning, Student Work Examples, High (9-12), California, Math, Science

Editor's Note: Today's guest blogger is Amy Whittaker, one of the co-producers of the STEMposium event.

On April 1st, a sold-out crowd of 250 students, teachers and civic, business, philanthropic, nonprofit, education and technology leaders flocked to the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco for STEMposium^TM - a celebration of excellence in K-12 STEM education innovation presented by the nonprofit EnCorps Teachers Program with co-host Citizen Schools.

Student Internships: Building a Bigger Pipeline to STEM

Suzie BossMay 5, 2011

Tags Biology, Business Partnerships, Career and Technical Education, Community Partnerships, Integrated Studies, Student Internships, Technology Integration, Chemistry, All Grades, Math, Science, Visual Arts, Ohio

For students who are curious about science, a medical center offers a world of interesting questions to investigate. Since 2005, hundreds of motivated high school students have spent their summers as paid interns

Students Redesign a New Orleans School with a View...of Dignity

Betty RayJune 16, 2010

Tags Community Partnerships, Environmental Education, Louisiana

Editor's Note: Our guest blogger today is Karen Brown from the Center for Ecoliteracy in Berkeley, CA.