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A Hidden Barrier for English Learners

“Foreign language anxiety can silence students. Here’s how teachers can help them speak with confidence.” By:  Soyoung Lee When I worked as an English as a Second Language (ESL) coordinator in California, I noticed…
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Let’s Drop the Deficit Label

What happens when we stop labeling students and start connecting with them? In elementary school, I (Nita) was a struggling learner placed in a classroom of high-achieving students. My mother wanted me in the “gifted and talented”…

Turning Mistakes Into Learning Opportunities

“Treat your students’ errors with curiosity, not disappointment, and their learning will deepen.” Emma Chiapetta “We learn more deeply, and the learning sticks, when we make a mistake.” Emma Chiapetta On an October afternoon…

Expectations

“All kids need is a little help, a little hope, and somebody who believes in them.” Magic Johnson             When someone expects you to be successful at something, do you think…

Promoting Student Voice and Volunteerism

Promoting Student Voice and Volunteerism:  Listening to Customers Matters in Education If we are trying to build tomorrow’s leaders today, one of the best ways to do it is by having a student leadership group on campus. It can begin in…
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The Classroom Every Child Deserves!

“When we unmask our own biases and shift our thinking, we create learning spaces where every student can thrive.” Growing up, I was a student navigating an education system that didn’t fully see me. As a young immigrant in a…

First Day of School

Here’s What Most Teachers Prioritize on Day One of a New School Year The academic schedule’s cyclical nature offers teachers a chance to hit the restart button at the beginning of each school year. To prepare, teachers take on…

The Only “F” That Matters

Making grading more about feedback—and less about the score. Any work I assign through Google Classroom is an optional enrichment learning opportunity. Students will not receive grades that will count for their report card. However,…

Leading with Empathy

Being able to understand others’ lives and perspectives is a key factor in emotionally intelligent leadership. Our brains are wired for survival, but also for empathy. We have mirror neurons that fire when we see other people’s pain.…

Reframing Student Self-Talk

“A student’s inner monologue can make or break the way they deal with challenge. Here’s how to guide them toward positivity.” Whenever I hand students a challenging math problem, they make a series of choices. It may feel to…