Less than two weeks into the school year, my boys were back to remote learning. My twin sons had been 100% remote last year during all of fourth grade, and they were super excited about returning to school in person. Last Monday, my son came home with a fever and looked horrible. I inquired about…
Coronavirus has not ridden quietly into the sunset as many people had hoped and even predicted. The scourge of 2020 is still alive and kicking in 2021 and appears to be evolving. Some would argue the Delta Variant of COVID-19 is even worse than the original, particularly for children. Early research says this particular brand…
In a letter to parents, Dr. Virginia Caine said, “We are tired of the virus, but it’s not tired of us.” The letter included updates and information to encourage parents and caregivers to stay vigilant to prevent the spread of the virus. Initial CDC guidance, before the school year began, stated vaccinated people no longer…
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…