Love And Marriage: Co-Teaching Relationships

Meghan PahlkeBlog, Connect Better, Engage Better, Manage Better, Reflect Better

TL;DR: Co-teaching is a relationship similar to an arranged marriage with shared experiences that feel like triumphs and challenges. Continue to get to know each other personally and professionally to build the relationship. Ask questions to learn more about each other. Have proactive communication to discuss how you will share responsibilities. Ask reflective questions. Recognize each co-teaching partner is unique … Read More

Embracing My Fox

Megan BaldufBlog, Engage Better, Lead Better, Manage Better, Reflect Better

TL;DR: Self-reflection leads to a clearer understanding of oneself. Someone once said, “The fox knows many things; the hedgehog one great thing.” Many people thrive in knowing and sharing about their “one great thing.” Time helps us see who we really are. Years ago, I worked with a woman who bought each member of our team a little hedgehog and … Read More

The Movement of Feminism with Supportive Allies

Teach Better TeamBlog, Engage Better, Lead Better, Lesson Plan Better, Manage Better, Reflect Better

TL;DR: The feminist movement is one of equal rights. Equity is the way you achieve it. Consider the importance of supporting International Women’s Day events to make a difference. Understanding bias and implicit bias by teaching it directly in our classrooms is key to making the women’s rights movement count! Equity and Inclusion Reflection Questions Why does the women’s rights … Read More

Learnability: The Most Important Skill for School Leaders

Steven WeberBlog, Connect Better, Engage Better, Lead Better, Manage Better

TL;DR: School leaders face constant change which impacts their daily decisions. So they need a new skill set: learnability. Learnability can happen in three ways: (1) lead by asking better questions (2) cognitive flexibility to navigate change and adapt (3) unlearning and relearning allows leaders to be responsive to new problems. Review reflective questions for school leaders. Change is constant … Read More

Why Gradeless? Breaking Free From Grades

Mike SzczepanikBlog, Engage Better, Grade Better, Innovate Better, Mastery Done Better, Reflect Better

TL;DR: Our grading habits can be inconsistent and have limited value in the learning process. The extrinsic motivation of grades often limits our students’ drive for deeper learning. Going gradeless is not a simple process, but a worthy one to help students reflect, listen to feedback, and grow. In traditional education systems, grades have long been the primary measure of … Read More