TL;DR: Attending conferences promotes continuous learning, empowering educators to bring fresh insights and skills back to their classrooms. Conferences provide a platform to connect with like-minded educators, fostering collaborations and creating a supportive professional community. Investing time in professional development rejuvenates teachers, offering self-care and reigniting their enthusiasm for education, ultimately benefiting both educators and students. Building Bridges to Success … Read More
National Random Acts of Kindness Day
TL;DR: Embrace National Random Acts of Kindness Day by adopting a soldier, volunteering, leaving gratitude notes, and more. From pen pals for soldiers to planting trees, engage in varied acts of kindness to make a positive impact. “Start With Hello” on February 17th, fostering connections through simple greetings and selfless gestures. In the United States each year, individuals have the … Read More
Powerful Catalyst: Black History Month
TL;DR: Black History Month sparks crucial conversations on social justice, empowering K-12 students to challenge inequities and advocate for a fairer society. By highlighting African American achievements, the month promotes empowerment, instills pride, and helps students embrace their heritage, fostering resilience and confidence. Beyond celebrating accomplishments, Black History Month enhances cultural appreciation, fostering empathy and respect, and creating a more … Read More
Food for Thought: Menus and Tidying Up
TL;DR: Giving others choices can be a great tool, but it can also become overwhelming. It isn’t enough to just tell students to do something; we need to show them how. Using a structured method to guide decision-making can bridge the gap between what students want to do and what they can do. Menus and Tidying Up I have a … Read More
Tapestry of Formative Assessment
TL;DR: Formative assessment is vital for effective teaching, offering real-time insights into student progress. Tom Schimmer advocates for diverse approaches, including thoughtful questioning, Socratic seminars, and one-on-one conferencing. Peer reviews, interactive technology, and strategies like think-pair-share enrich formative assessments, promoting collaboration and critical thinking. Tapestry of Formative Assessment Formative assessment is a tapestry and the heartbeat of effective teaching, offering … Read More