TL;DR: Steven shares a story about how he and his dad were caught in a riptide and needed support from a lifeguard. Many students are struggling. We cannot expect them to save themselves. Hope is not a strategy. In order to focus on students’ needs, school support teams can ask themselves a list of questions found below. Consider how intentional … Read More
3 Strategies to Support Student Understanding
TL;DR: Schools and districts need to think ahead to the future and prepare a strategy to meet the needs of each learner. The most effective strategy to support student understanding may be to combine the following: Through a deficit approach to provide additional support to fill in the gaps. Building on the strengths of learners through assessments, feedback, and academic … Read More
Assessing and Addressing Student Needs
TL;DR: 3 steps to ensure we are addressing the needs of our students, including tips for assessing the situation, coming up with a plan, and re-evaluating. Assessing where our new students are using a Google form, and using that information to meet their individual social and emotional needs. I LOVE the first day of school. It is something that I … Read More
Shame’s Role in Education
TL;DR: The role of shame in education, as told through a specific student case study. A journey through finding what works for kids. Steps to challenge the role of shame in education. “Shame is the intensely painful feeling that we are unworthy of love and belonging.” -Brene Brown This was a tough week for me. One of my students, we’ll … Read More
Be There: Your Students Need You Now More Than Ever
TL;DR: An awakening about what our students really need right now. Encouragement during this time of uncertainty. Coming back stronger and better because we cared. I miss you. Those words from my second graders this week on a video call went straight to my heart. Right now, we are all settling into a new “normal,” but one thing that we … Read More