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You'll find practical classroom strategies and tips from real educators, as well as lesson ideas, personal stories, and innovative approaches to improving your teaching practice. If you have any thoughts or comments about these blogs, please don't hesitate to let us know.

Betty RayMarch 31, 2010

Most people won't argue with the statement that our current education system's primary goals are not to ignite/support educators' passions. With standardized testing, budget cuts, Race to the Top and on and on, how do educators hold onto the passion of teaching?

Teacher Derrall Garrison (known as @derrallg on Twitter) gives an honest perspective of a passionate teacher in a not-so passionate world. Here's his summary and opinion of this week's edchat.

--Betty Ray, Community Manager (@EdutopiaBetty) and Elana Leoni, Social Media Marketing Coordinator (@elanaleoni)

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Ben JohnsonMarch 29, 2010

"How was school?" I asked Mercedes, my middle school-aged daughter. I have learned to not ask yes or no questions, but she still gives me a one-word answer.

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Maurice EliasMarch 26, 2010

In an interview, Director of the Institute for Emotionally Intelligent Learning, Ed Dunkelblau, shares his wisdom in helping folks get started with social, emotional, and character development (SECD) in their classrooms and schools:

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Betty RayMarch 25, 2010

Did you ever know someone who wanted to be a teacher? Chances are they didn't go through with it or they quit within the first five years. The fundamental question must be asked, "How do we attract and retain great teachers in education?" Teacher Joe Bower (known as @joe_bower on Twitter) explores this issue a bit further. Here's his opinion and summary of this week's edchat.

--Betty Ray, Community Manager (@EdutopiaBetty) and Elana Leoni, Social Media Marketing Coordinator (@elanaleoni)

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Claus von ZastrowMarch 23, 2010

A high school principal recently caught me off guard. When I asked him how he deals with the challenges of educating students who are still learning English, he had this to say

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EdutopiaMarch 23, 2010

When I think back to middle school, which was Junior High back in the day, two things stand out about my principal, whom I'll call Mr. G. I don't ever remember seeing him smile, but I vividly recall being frightened of his ruler. No, Mr. G. didn't use it to slap our wrists -- that would have been preferable. He employed it as a modesty monitor, ordering girls he passed in the hall to get on their knees while he measured the distance between the floor and the hem of their skirts.

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Suzie BossMarch 18, 2010

With one big idea after another -- from the Apple mouse to more patient-friendly emergency rooms -- the global consulting firm IDEO has built a reputation for innovative thinking.

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Betty RayMarch 18, 2010

Mary Beth Hertz (@mbteach on Twitter) emerged as a leader in the afternoon #edchat, where forward-thinking educators from around the world connect and discuss different issues of the day. Her tweets during the chat reflected her knowledge and passion for at-risk youth and further revealed her fluency in the issues and challenges of at-risk students in the classroom. Here's her opinion and summary of this week's edchat.

--Betty Ray, Community Manager (@EdutopiaBetty) and Elana Leoni, Social Media Marketing Coordinator (@elanaleoni)

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Claus von ZastrowMarch 16, 2010

Editor's note: Anne O'Brien is our guest blogger today. She is a project director at the Learning First Alliance, a Teach for America alumna, and a former public school teacher in the greater New Orleans area.

The Obama administration has made turning around America's lowest performing schools a cornerstone of its education agenda. And with good reason -- all children should have access to an excellent education.

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