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Neurodiversity awareness: Do schools embrace this concept for all learners?
Kelly Steinke EducationI tend not to get too wordy in my writing, but with October being Dyslexia Awareness Month I've decided a few more words won't hurt anyone. As adults, we can easily go through the motions with special events and awareness initiatives, but it's not always second nature to pause and reflect.
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What is your school’s most effective form of communication?
Brian Stack EducationAs a school principal for a medium-sized New Hampshire high school, I am always looking for the best way to communicate with my school's stakeholders. There are so many choices these days including email, text, automated phone messages, social media and the good old-fashioned traditional letter in the mail.
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How important is pronunciation instruction for English learners?
Erick Herrmann EducationOne of the most notable identifiers of someone whose primary language is not English is speaking with an accent. While accents vary in English in different countries — and even by region within those countries — for most native speakers it is easy to tell if someone learned English later in life.
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Federal changes in education are far‑reaching and quiet
Bambi Majumdar EducationWhen Betsy DeVos was appointed as Secretary of Education, there was an immediate backlash across the U.S. about the future of public education. In the months since then, our attention has shifted to topics like horrifying hurricanes, immigration policies, travel bans and, of course, North Korea.
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How to help struggling learners who are not completing their work
Susan Winebrenner EducationBy this time of the school year, some learners may be struggling to complete their work in certain subject areas (including some gifted or advanced learners). Although there may be evidence that this problem has been present in previous school years, this year's teacher will suffer frustration with these events.
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Food, football and fun for Thanksgiving
Debra Josephson Abrams EducationI love food. I love cooking it for others and myself. I love the joy others receive when eating the food I cook, and I love eating it. I also love football. There is little more I look forward to than football season and watching every NFL and college game. And increasingly — especially the more I travel internationally — I am grateful for whom I am and what I have.
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Preparing for the gig economy
Brian Stack EducationIt has been interesting to watch the job market change through the lens of many of my teacher friends who, for the duration of my 20 years in education, have taken part-time jobs to supplement their income. Today, technology has drastically changed the jobs I see them doing. For many, short-term jobs and projects known as "gigs" have started to replace the traditional job.
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Think about it: Teach your students about mindfulness
Savanna Flakes EducationMindfulness is not new. It originated with Eastern meditation practices around the art of "bringing one's complete attention to the present experience." Mindfulness is what makes us human — the capacity to be fully conscious and aware, or put another way, being present and aware of things happening in the current moment.
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Should students be allowed to use smartphones at school?
Bambi Majumdar EducationSmartphones, Internet and social media are an intrinsic part of our lives today. More than adults, teenagers and young adults find it impossible to survive without technology. But what happens when the same tech is used to harm, belittle and abuse others? From the early days of promoting BYOT (bring your own technology) to banning cellphone use, schools have gone through a gamut of changes for technology usage on campus.
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Retaining ESL students
Douglas Magrath EducationThe concern among those serving international students is shifting from recruiting to retention. Student retention is critical at the college level, because there are many programs from which students can choose.
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