Given the overflow of information in our lives, it can be tempting to romanticize about our life before it went digital. Astoundingly, one research firm concluded that on average, Americans interact with their phones over 2,600 times per day. It’s true, digital connections can be as ephemeral as your phone’s news feed, yet we live…
John Hunter is a fourth grade teacher, and he’s one of the best around. Watching his Ted Talk, I was in awe at how he expertly communicates with children. He truly believes that informed parents, engaged communities and better schools arise from high quality communication. If you haven’t watched it yet, it’s well worth your…
Sponsors, are you ready for an alarming statistic? According to a recent report conducted by Common Sense Media, kids aged 2-11 are exposed to over 25,000 ads per year. That’s almost 2,100 ads per month. Put another way, that’s an incredible 15 ads per hour. So yes, we truly live in advertising age. While it’s…
When I was in school, we used to get our final report card mailed to us in the summer. This was before email, so I’d run to the mailbox every day a little bit anxious. We all get nervous about our grades, but what made me most anxious was finding out who my teachers for the next…
There’s one particular photo that I haven’t been able to take my mind off since it was published over a year ago. Take a look at this moving picture of three kids from Flint, Michigan. You’ll be glad you did. The context of this photo is just as moving as the kids are – compelled…
I’ll never forget my first job teaching in the South Side of Chicago. It was gratifying to be making a difference in a community that needed difference makers. There were some limitations, but in teaching you can’t ask for better professional development than to make due with what you’ve got. We used old textbooks, and…
Recently, I overheard a conversation by a group of parents enjoying the day in one of our local dog parks. They were talking about trying to find a fidget spinner at a nearby store. Fidget spinners, if you haven’t heard, have been all the rage this year in classes across the world. As I listened to…
Now that most schools are off for the summer, the countdown has officially begun until the start of the school year – two months, or about 87,600 minutes, and counting. For kids used to an eight hour school day, that’s 480 extra minutes each day to keep themselves occupied, not including homework, or any other clubs that they do after…
Colorado is one of the most desirable states to live and work, but there is ground to make up if it wants to be a leader in education as well. According to a recently published report from the educational alliance, Building A Grad Nation, Colorado is 43rd in the nation in graduation rates. The graduation…
Communication. Communication. Communication. For an education professional, it might be the most important part of the job. A thoughtful article addresses the enormous influence of positive communication, from a teacher’s perspective. From calling, emailing, to crafting an easy-to-read newsletter, there is no doubt that a well informed community produces positive results for all involved. Just for a…