By Elizabeth Jorgensen

In a Facebook group I’m part of, fellow teacher Jeralicia Crooms posted, “Many of our districts force us to accept late work. We’re not ‘allowed’ to hold students accountable. How do we make that work?”
It’s a common sentiment: we...

By Dr. Doug Green

In New York State, a certified administrator from a different building must observe each teacher at least once a year. This started about six years ago—thanks to the thinking that too many insufficient teachers received good evaluations from principals who were their...

By Elizabeth Jorgensen

At the end of the school year, many of my colleagues are inundated with late work and appeals for extra credit. But because my students have learned to value the process over grades, I have no late work to assess and no requests for extra credit. 

Even with summer...

By Tyler Rablin

I’ve heard it called an epidemic.

I’m talking about the amount of missing work at the secondary level. It truly defined the beginning of the school year. Teachers returned to the classroom excited to be back with students, try out new ideas, and engage in the type of...

By Lisa Parry

When my oldest daughter graduated from high school a few years ago, I gave her and her four closest friends a bracelet with this affirming message:

She believed she could, so she did.

It seemed like the perfect sentiment for five young ladies ready to leave the comfort and security...

While reading, in general, can help alleviate stress and anxiety, helping you feel more relaxed, if you’re looking for anxiety tips for your daily life, you can find books on dealing with anxiety specifically. When you read these books, you will experience many benefits.

Learn Essential...

By Martin Silverman

In 1966, the phenomenal Motown trio The Supremes sang the classic song “You Keep Me Hangin' On." Though this song speaks of a couple with differing opinions on the state of their relationship, the song's message resonates today with educators as we consider how to keep...

By Elizabeth Jorgensen

I wish I had realized this sooner:

Students complete late work not because they care about the authenticity of the assignment but because they want to move their grade up a letter.

Early in my teaching career, I accepted all late work. At the end of each semester, I...

By Michelle Blanchet

 “I’m sorry to be political” or “I’m sorry to bring politics into this” became phrases over the years when people want to discuss something important in our world.

I often wonder what this means and why people think they need to...

 By Dr. Tony P. Sinanis and Joe Sanfelippo

One of the greatest opportunities that consistently presents itself to educators is the opportunity to reassess, reconsider, and reimagine our practices.

Whether it happens when we transition from one quarter to another or one school year to...