TL;DR: Schools, like cathedrals, have gods that they worship, which shape their values, priorities, and practices. The gods of education can be both burdensome and dangerous, demanding sacrifices and affecting the unintended consequences of serving them. Identifying the gods in education allows for a critical examination of their impact and whether they are worth prioritizing, as they are tools that … Read More
Show 123: Systems from School Board Down to the Teacher All Focused on Learning
AJ Crabill is uniquely positioned to support school districts from the school board to the student. He is focused on creating systems that focus all school employees on improving student learning. It is so focused they measure all of their time from school board meetings to a principal’s calendar. Teachers support students, principals support teachers, upper administration supports principals, and … Read More
21 Questions for the End of the School Year
TL;DR: The final weeks of the school year are filled with a range of emotions as students and staff say goodbye and reflect on their growth together. Reflecting on the instructional design, learning culture, academic interventions, relationships, equity, professional growth, and self-care can support personal and professional development. The importance of asking the right questions, embracing uncertainty, and celebrating the … Read More
Connection Over Compliance
TL;DR: Student engagement goes beyond compliance and involves attention, curiosity, interest, optimism, and passion for learning. Authentic engagement requires establishing connections with students to create a safe and supportive learning environment. Strategies for fostering connection in the classroom include showing genuine interest in students, providing choice and voice, conducting morning meetings, being intentional in planning, incorporating real-life connections to content, … Read More
Supporting Today’s Learners
TL;DR: There is a comparison between cooking appliances and education methods, contrasting microwave learning (traditional) with air fryer learning (constructivist). In traditional learning, teachers are the main source of knowledge and focus on student compliance, while constructivist learning emphasizes student engagement, collaboration, and connecting learning to real-life experiences. Teachers in today’s classrooms are encouraged to be guides and mentors, creating … Read More