Topic: Teaching & Learning
One Piece at a Time
After all these years, I can still recall an assignment from my fourth grade year. We were learning about what life was like for travelers of the Oregon Trail and the settlers who chose to put down roots on the Midwestern plains. One assignment was to build a log cabin... Read the full article >
The Role of Advocacy in Public Education
As the 2014-15 school year ended, I found myself engaging in the practice of intentional reflection. Like most practitioners, I am always eager to assess where my successes and shortcomings have occurred as they affect the quality of my students’ instruction. Yet, this year, I find that I am not... Read the full article >
“Six-Figure” Teachers
Prior to entering education almost 10 years ago, I worked my way up the corporate ladder in Fortune 500 staffing and technology companies. As a mid-level manager, I interviewed hundreds of candidates to work in various jobs, from front-desk receptionists and salespeople to regional directors. It was hard not to... Read the full article >
Teach with Fire!
Recently a first-year teacher who had questions about teaching— a lot of questions— approached me. He rattled off a string of frantic interrogations, showing his frustration with teaching, students, pacing and just about everything else related to education. One of his questions struck me hard. Incorrectly thinking I was an... Read the full article >
Teaching the Teacher: Lessons Learned from Trusted Colleagues
You have heard it before: “Teaching—the one profession that makes all professions possible.” Teaching is an incredible adventure, and I can assure you it is not for the faint of heart. It’s a demanding but rewarding career that takes you on all sorts of twists and turns. Teaching is like... Read the full article >
Why I Became a Teacher? It Was My Destiny!
One of the most eye opening, magical and transforming experiences of my life was the day I decided to become a teacher. This extraordinary day came by accident when I visited a first grade classroom during my first year of college. It wasn’t how I wanted to spend my day... Read the full article >
Suggested Reading
Can schemes to inspire tomorrow’s scientists close the poverty attainment gap? Pallavi Amitava Banerjee, The Conversation Pallavi Amitava Banerjee shares her research in response to the many government-backed initiatives put in place to interest more young people interested in STEM subjects. The article provides explanation on the importance of diversity... Read the full article >
Broadening Students’ Participation in STEM
The importance of STEM education can be seen in the growing number of STEM-related occupations in the United States and abroad. In fact, in the U.S., 80 percent of the fastest growing jobs depend on a mastery of mathematics and scientific knowledge and skills. In contrast, interest in STEM careers... Read the full article >
The “E” in STEM: Explicitly Teaching Engineering
STEM has emerged as the educational priority of the 21st century, in that it aims to link deeper student learning with real-world connections and critical thinking. Literally, STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Across the educational system, however, there are a wide variety of interpretations and multiple meanings... Read the full article >
Enhancing K-12 Curriculum with STEM Integration
As the accountability stakes continue to grow for school districts, more and more time is spent on developing students’ language arts and math skills. Knowing that schools and districts who earn high ratings/grades attract more students and positively impact a community’s economic value, districts feel forced to narrow curriculum and... Read the full article >