Students connecting with teachers is a crucial aspect of them being willing to take in content from a teacher. One of the first tasks teachers have is learning their students’ names. Unfortunately, this is where some teachers mess up and damage their relationship with students even before it begins. I can relate to students who…
The national conversation about coming back from COVID-19 has been dominated by students, and for good reason. Many kids haven’t done any real schoolwork in over a year and a half. That doesn’t even touch on the social aspects that were lost due to distance learning. I have written several pieces about how students aren’t…
Washington Township is following in the footsteps of fellow Indianapolis district, IPS. Beginning Monday, August 16, all staff and students, regardless of vaccination status, will be required to wear masks. The school board voted in favor of the change during the August 11 school board meeting. Although Marion County is not requiring masks in schools…
Teachers are walking away from education, but the pandemic has accelerated the exit of some educators. I have spoken to several principals who have not filled all vacancies for the 2021-2022 school year. Some keep filling vacancies and become fully staffed only for another educator to resign, putting the administrator back on another search in…
As the rhetoric around coronavirus grows more partisan, it is easy to start to assume the worst about everything. That is just what I typically do. I haven’t come in contact with many people over the last year for obvious reasons so most of the information that I consume about others comes via social media…
“Should we teach about the Civil War anymore?” This was a question I was asked from a concerned teacher who feared potential pushback from parents. Teachers should not have to live in fear of being attacked by parents or community members about what is going on in their classrooms, but it is wise for teachers…
The winner of the 93rd Scripps National Spelling Bee, Zaila Avant-garde, is still taking her well deserved victory laps in the media. Winning such a contest is obviously an impressive feat. But even more so these days, because I am sure that Zaila, like most students, has had at least a couple of teachers tell…
This CDC recently released updated guidance for the K-12 school setting to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The CDC recommends staff, students, and visitors wear masks regardless of vaccination status. For some Indianapolis school districts, the 2021-2022 school year has already begun or is about to begin soon. Therefore, school districts had already shared guidance…
“There has been a concern raised.” This statement sent me into a panic. The 2021-2022 school year will be my 16th year as an educator, and I shifted big time. I left my administrator role as an academic dean to start my own education consulting company. It has been one of the best decisions I…
Two years ago, I wrote the article, “Parents, Stop Complaining about Community Classroom Supplies.” In this article, I explained the strain on teachers to ensure all students are prepared for instruction without teachers spending their own money to support students who come without supplies. I still believe as a community member that I should help…