Teaching Social and Emotional Skills

Teaching Social and Emotional Skills

John Hattie is quoted as saying “A positive, caring, respectful environment is a prior condition to learning.” Regardless of how busy a teacher is, one cannot underestimate the importance of making the time for creating and cultivating a welcoming, positive classroom...
The Importance of Recess

The Importance of Recess

Tag.  Kickball. Four Square.  Wall Ball. Double Dutch. Basketball. King of the Hill. Soccer. Sidewalk Chalk … When you think of elementary school kids, you most likely think of them running around outside and playing. Young children have an abundance of energy and...
Counterintuitive Keys to College and Career Readiness

Counterintuitive Keys to College and Career Readiness

  “College and career readiness,” for all students has become a national, state, and district benchmark in recent years and shows no signs of disappearing any time soon.  Despite the push from every level of government, there has not been much progress, and I...
Weighted Grades: The Case Against Them

Weighted Grades: The Case Against Them

Countless high school students perseverate excessively about their Grade Point Average (GPA). There is no doubt that GPA is one of the most important factors that colleges will consider in admissions and scholarship applications and obsession with GPA has led to...
Understanding and Combatting Suicide Clusters in our Schools

Understanding and Combatting Suicide Clusters in our Schools

In recent years, suicide has become one of the top five causes of death worldwide for children between the ages of fifteen and nineteen. In many cases, one death by suicide begets another and just this past year school districts in California, Ohio, Arizona, and Utah...