Picture this: A classroom where learners know their teacher not only cares about them but expects great things from them. It’s a space where trust fuels risk-taking, where mistakes are part of the process, and where learners push themselves further than they thought possible. Too often, we hear the mantra “relationships before rigor,” as if
Rigor Because of Relationships: Redefining the Classroom Mantra Read More »
It’s a new year, and like many of us, you might be thinking about how to make this one better than the last. Here’s the hard truth: if we want something to change in our classrooms, we can’t just wish it into existence. We need actionable steps, backed by research and rooted in practice. For
5 Things to Try in 2025 (for Learning) Read More »
The image of a learner sitting in a classroom, head down, shoulders slumped—silent and unseen—is one that should break all of our collective hearts. Teaching, at its best, isn’t about content or tests or standards; it’s about connection. Without belonging, no amount of rigor or pedagogy will matter because learning doesn’t happen when a child
The Quiet Power of Belonging Read More »
Imagine walking past a construction site and seeing scaffolding towering alongside a building. What strikes you first? It’s not permanent, yet it’s essential. Without it, progress would grind to a halt. Scaffolding provides access to the unreachable, safety in precarious situations, and flexibility to change as the project grows. This image mirrors what effective classroom
Scaffolding Learning: The Construction Blueprint for Classrooms Read More »
In education, teaching and learning are often used interchangeably, but they are fundamentally different. Imagine a classroom where the teacher hands out prepackaged TV dinners—complete, preplanned, and ready to consume. The students, functioning as mere cooks, only heat and eat what’s been prepared for them. Now, contrast that with a classroom where the teacher and
From TV Dinners to Culinary Exploration: Rethinking Teaching and Learning Read More »
When we hear “assessment,” many of us instantly think of standardized tests, scantron sheets or Google Forms, and the collective groans of learners (and teachers). But assessment isn’t meant to be synonymous with “test.” It originates from the Latin word assidere, meaning “to sit beside.” Imagine that—a teacher sitting beside a learner, guiding them, offering
Assessment: Not the Assigning of a Test, But the Art of Sitting Beside Read More »
Imagine you’re in a kitchen, preparing a meal. Some recipes are simple, like scrambled eggs, while others require more focus, like preparing a soufflé. Like cooking, learning most often involves managing complexity. Cognitive Load Theory (CLT), proposed by John Sweller, explains that our brains have a limited working memory capacity. This theory categorizes the mental
Cooking in the Classroom with Cognitive Load Read More »
As educators, we bring an undeniable fire into our classrooms every day. We strive to unlock the potential in every learner, pushing them to become their best selves. But what if we took that same passion—the relentless drive to help our kids succeed—and brought it to supporting our fellow educators? If we truly want to
Putting Passion into Our Peers Read More »
I once heard this in a professional learning session, “Just get them talking,” the presenter said, “and they’ll be learning.” It sounds simple enough. We might ask our kids to “Turn and Talk” to their partner about the reading they just finished and expect fireworks—deep conversations, insights flying across the room. But what we might
Crafting Classroom Conversations: Maximizing Meaningful Peer Talk Read More »
Differentiation has long been characterized by an analogy that paints a daunting, almost impossible picture for educators: A single doctor stands in front of 30 patients, all with different ailments, and is expected to treat each one. It’s an analogy that resonates with many because it accurately reflects the overwhelming nature of trying to meet
A Different Take on Differentiation: From the Doctor’s Office to the Coach’s Playbook Read More »
