Why This Principal Is Staying Put When So Many Want to Quit Students are facing pandemic-related mental health challenges. There are academic gaps to close. Teachers are overwhelmed. Political battles from outside are seeping past the front gates and into schools. “This is such a crucial and critical moment in our society,” said Asher, the … Read more
Mindfulness in the Classroom: Strengthen Students’ Focus in 3 Minutes a Day Mindfulness is more than paying attention. According to Jon Kabat-Zinn, a renowned mind-body author, mindfulness is that, yes, but done on purpose in the present moment, nonjudgmentally. Maura Bradley, the author of Mindfulness for Kids, defines mindfulness as “paying attention to where you … Read more
What Is Critical Race Theory, and Why Is It Under Attack? Education Week is the #1 source of high-quality news and insights on K-12 education. Sign up for our EdWeek Update newsletter to get stories like this delivered to your inbox daily. Is “critical race theory” a way of understanding how American racism has shaped … Read more
Existential Questions for Educators Right Now. Do We Even Matter? Does What We Do Matter?PJ Caposey is an award-winning educator, keynote speaker, consultant, and author of eight books who currently serves as the superintendent of schools for the nationally recognized Meridian CUSD 223 school district in northwest Illinois. You can find PJ on most social … Read more
What Are Binaural Beats? One Way for Teachers to Calm Their Brain Waves To say that teaching and learning during these past three years of the pandemic have been challenging is an understatement. The demands of building classroom community, providing rigorous instruction, and managing shifts in safety protocols have felt emotionally draining and exhausting. We … Read more
The Big Questions Teachers Are Asking Themselves Right Now Schools and ‘the Future Economy’Meg Riordan, Ph.D., is the chief learning officer at the Possible Zone, a youth entrepreneurship and work-based learning program with a mission to advance economic equity. She has been in the field of education for almost 30 years as a middle, high … Read more
A Thanksgiving Reading List (With Extra Gravy) On the one hand, the markers of holiday celebrations can buoy spirits during a challenging school year. On the other hand, a domino chain of sporadic days off between now and February promise to interrupt classroom momentum and further strain waning student attendance rates. Good gravy, that’s a … Read more
Do Holidays Belong in Public Schools? It’s a Controversial Question in December That’s because contentious debates and confusion over how and even if the December holiday season should be celebrated or taught in public schools is brewing in districts nationwide. The polarizing discussions about race, gender, and culture in some states and local communities have … Read more
Celebrating Holidays at School: Legal Guidance for Administrators Extensive planning goes into public schools’ holiday preparations this time of year—from which decorations should adorn classrooms to what music selections will make it into the holiday concert. But despite the seemingly lighthearted nature of these tasks, there’s one serious factor to consider that, if overlooked, could … Read more
School Librarians’ Top Picks for Holiday Books While every school employee deserves a break this holiday season, perhaps none are in greater-than-usual need of respite than school librarians. Caught in the politically charged crossfires of book censorship that has ratcheted up significantly this year, librarians in some public schools have been facing bans—with more than … Read more