Summer break is a chance to keep your school community connected and thriving. By continuing communication, you’ll: Empower students and families for a smooth transition back to school. Fuel excitement for the upcoming year with engaging updates. Solidify your school’s role as a vital center for the community. In Episode 266 of the Class Dismissed …

Integrating reading instruction throughout the school day presents several challenges for teachers: Time Constraints: With tight schedules and a packed curriculum, finding extra time for reading instruction in non-language arts subjects can be difficult. Curriculum Demands: Subjects like math, science, and social studies already have extensive curr…

Many middle and high school teachers avoid discussing controversial topics in class due to their fear of controversy. They may worry about offending students or parents with different viewpoints. However, productive discussions on complex issues are essential to learning. It requires skill, and teachers may need more confidence in navigating disagr…

Embarking on the teaching journey is an exhilarating and rewarding experience, but it can also be daunting, especially during that crucial first year in the classroom. New teachers face many challenges, from lesson planning to classroom management, engaging students, and balancing work-life demands. However, with the right mindset and strategies, s…

As the upcoming Presidential Election draws near, the importance of media literacy in education has never been more evident. In today’s digital age, where information is readily accessible and often overwhelming, teaching students how to critically analyze and navigate media sources is essential for fostering informed citizenship and safeguarding d…

In the fast-paced world we inhabit today, intelligence is no longer confined to the realm of IQ scores and academic prowess. An equally important aspect of personal development is emotional intelligence (EI). This term, now ubiquitous in discussions about personal growth and success, was traced back to a seminal 1990 article by Salovey and Mayer, w…

In an intriguing twist of technological irony, the Peninsula School District in Washington State has embarked on a pioneering journey by utilizing Generative AI (Gen AI) to develop comprehensive guidelines for integrating artificial intelligence (AI) in educational settings. This innovative approach underscores the district’s commitment to harnessi…

On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse is anticipated to be visible from parts of North America, including Mexico, the United States, and Canada. The path of totality, where the Sun is completely obscured by the Moon, will pass through several states, including Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, New York, Vermo…

Transform Your Science Class In the ever-evolving education landscape, we must reconsider what we prioritize in our science classrooms. Melanie Trecek-King, an advocate for progressive teaching methods and the founder of thinkingispower.com, offers invaluable insights into reshaping science education for the betterment of students and society. At t…

Over two decades, Elena Aguilar, distinguished as the founder and President of Bright Morning, has ardently devoted herself to education, assuming roles as both a teacher and instructional coach. Throughout this extensive period, she has witnessed a prevalent and pervasive sentiment that resonates deeply within the teaching community—the overwhelmi…

In the ever-evolving landscape of education, technology plays a pivotal role in shaping how we learn and teach. One groundbreaking development that significantly impacted education in 2022 - 2023 was generative AI applications like ChatGPT. Developed by OpenAI, ChatGPT is a language model that has revolutionized the learning experience, offering ne…

Leading with laughter in a school setting can positively affect the learning environment and the overall well-being of fellow educators. Here are some reasons why incorporating humor and laughter into leadership can be beneficial:1. Creates a Positive Atmosphere: Laughter is a powerful tool for creating a positive and enjoyable atmosphere. When lea…

In Episode 254 of Class Dismissed, Social psychologist Camilla Griffiths from Stanford University discusses the common practice among educators of quickly correcting students' mistakes. She argues that this approach, while efficient, may deny students the opportunity to learn, grow, and demonstrate their ability to overcome challenges. Griffiths an…

Tween girls face unique challenges in a world where social media is an integral part of daily life. The impact of the digital age on their development can be both positive and negative, making it essential to understand and address these challenges.Our guest in Episode 253 of Class Dismissed created a program designed to teach that every girl has s…

"Transforming an Assignment: Fostering a Love for Reading and Learning"Initially, Amanda Lacy was far from enthusiastic when her principal handed her the task of teaching a group of high school students grappling with reading difficulties. Her new students, consisting of juniors and seniors, had previously failed their state exams as tenth graders.…

Climate change is one of the most urgent challenges of our era, demanding that educators take an active role in educating students about this global issue. Yet, delving into such a multifaceted and occasionally contentious topic can appear daunting. In a recent episode of Class Dismissed (Episode 251), we had the privilege of speaking with Mark Win…

Jennifer Serravallo, a renowned best-selling author in the education world, has left a profound mark with her previous works, "The Writing Strategies Book" and "The Reading Strategies Book," which have provided invaluable guidance to countless educators seeking compelling reading and writing strategies. In Episode 250 of Class Dismissed, Serravallo…

Teaching is a noble profession that shapes future generations but is challenging. One of the most pressing issues faced by educators is burnout. The demands of managing classrooms, catering to diverse learning needs, and juggling administrative tasks can take a toll on teachers' mental and emotional well-being. To ensure the flame of passion keeps …

It's essential to recognize that while Generative Artificial Intelligence offers valuable tools, the role of a teacher as a facilitator, mentor, and guide remains crucial. The key is to balance leveraging AI's capabilities and maintaining the core principles of effective teaching, including fostering critical thinking, creativity, and a love of lea…

A home visit from a teacher before the start of the school year can be incredibly beneficial for both the students and the teacher. Here are some ways in which it can help: Building rapport: A home visit allows the teacher to establish a personal connection with the student and their family in a comfortable and familiar environment. This rapport ca…

In an ideal world, every student would have an equal chance to succeed and thrive in the education system. However, the concepts of equality and equity reveal that achieving this goal requires more than just providing the same resources to all students. Episode 246 of Class Dismissed will explore the differences between school equality and equity a…

When we think of science education, the first things that come to mind are textbooks, equations, and experiments. However, there is an often overlooked tool that can captivate students' imaginations and enhance their understanding of scientific concepts: stories. Storytelling has been an integral part of human culture for centuries, and harnessing …

Play can help you remember things for longerLearning through play is an excellent way for children and adults to develop new skills, but it’s also a great way to alleviate stress and trauma and tap into different parts of the mind. Our guest on Episode 244 of Class Dismissed is an expert on learning through play. Dr. Bo Stjerne Thomsen is the Vice-…

With the increasing use of technology in all aspects of our lives, educating young students about the risks and best practices for staying safe online has become more critical than ever.Here are some reasons why it is essential to teach cybersecurity to K-12 students: Protecting Personal Information: Children and teenagers often share personal info…

Confidence is essential in learning math because it can increase motivation, perseverance, risk-taking, and self-efficacy. Sam Rhodes, an Assistant Professor of Elementary Math Education at Georgia Southern University, is our guest on Episode 242 of Class Dismissed. He and his colleagues have researched and narrowed in on Five Key Ideas for Growing…

School Districts are struggling to figure out how they should react to ChatGPT. Districts like New York City, Oakland, and Seattle have banned AI technology due to concerns about cheating. However, in Episode 241 of Class Dismissed, our guest offers some perspective on why we should embrace generative AI software like ChatGPT.Ben Farrell is the ass…

Making a case for mathematicsMathematics is one of the world's most fundamental and essential subjects, with applications that extend across a wide range of disciplines and industries. But sometimes, it isn't easy to convince high school students of the importance of math. Our guest in Episode 240 of Class Dismissed is here to arm us with some tric…

The first step to understanding something new is often the most challenging part. Our guest on Episode 239 of Class Dismissed explains why we must rethink how we teach students. He suggests we reconsider the three Rs – Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic and possibly replace those with some new Rs. Such as Relationships, Resilience, and Reflection.Jos…

Later start times for secondary education can force an earlier start for elementary students.There is evidence to suggest that later start times for secondary education can have a positive impact on students. Studies have shown that teenagers have a natural sleep pattern that leads them to stay up late and wake up later in the morning. This is know…

A Princeton student created an app to tell whether ChatGPT wrote an essay.Not long after ChatGPT was revealed to the world in late 2022, a computer science major at Princeton University built an app to detect whether AI wrote an essay.Edward Tian created GPTZero, which he says can "quickly and efficiently" decipher whether a human or ChatGPT author…

The fantastic new tool, ChatGPT, is taking the tech world by storm, but it also could become a significant headache for English teachers throughout the country.ChatGPT software is built on the architecture of GPT-3, with some ~175 billion parameters, but what separates ChatGPT relative to other AI breakthroughs is that it's super easy to use. You t…

A good global citizen is someone who is aware of the world and their place in it and who takes an active role in promoting the well-being of the global community. This can involve being informed about global issues and events, supporting causes that benefit people and the planet, and treating people with respect and compassion, regardless of their …

As educators, we sometimes need a spark. One great place to find that inspiration is in movies. In Episode 234 of Class Dismissed, we highlight some of the most inspirational movie scenes for teachers.The movie scenes that made our list include…Stand and Deliver (Rotten Tomatoes Score 82%)Los Angeles high school teacher Jaime Escalante (Edward Jame…

For more than 15 years, Johnny Tiersma brought humor into his classroom. He does this, be he feels it builds trust with his students."You know when you're all in on the same joke, and you're all laughing together," it creates a bond Tiersma says. The sixth-grade teacher serves in the Cardiff School District in San Diego, and bringing humor to his c…

There’s little doubt that students will learn more when they engage in classroom discussions. So for many teachers, finding ways to motivate students to participate in class makes complete sense. For years, Jim Lang (Assumption College) did this with a class participation grade. The English professor says he tried to keep track of each student’s cl…

Educators always want their students to thrive and succeed in life. Often, that path for students runs through college. But for many students, that's not the case. Our guest in Episode 231 offers tips on how teachers can best support students who choose an alternative post-high-school path.Stephanie Haynes is a licensed education coach and consulta…

A well-run, fun classroom is pivotal to the way students learn. But for some educators, meaningful classroom management can be a challenge. Gamifiying a classroom is one strategy educators use to improve this.In Episode 230 of Class Dismissed, we chatted with Shawn Young, the Co-Founder, and CEO of Classcraft, a platform that helps educators motiva…

The state of civics education in the United StatesThe push for impactful STEM education over the past decade has made a positive difference in preparing our youth. But have other areas suffered? Civics, for example? Our guest in today's bright idea segment is here to offer us some perspective on the state of civics education here in the United Stat…

Not long after the start of each school year, an important topic comes up, September 11th. For some teachers, it can be challenging to figure out how to discuss such a tragic day in American history with students. In Episode 228, we invited Jan Helson to give us some guidance. Helson is the Co-founder and Board Chair of Global Game Changers, a 501(…

In early 2022 NEFE and AmeriSpeak surveyed U.S. adults on high school financial education graduation requirements. 88% surveyed said their state should require a semester- or year-long financial education course for graduation.Remarkably, only 14 states require personal finance education before graduation. Our guest on Episode 227, Jessica Pelletie…

Does blended learning make teaching easier or harder?Catlin Tucker has been a thought leader in the world of blended learning. But many educators' Tucker would interact with perceived blended learning as more work for teachers."I couldn't understand why that was," says Tucker.So, as Tucker started visiting classrooms, she realized teachers were sti…

Many students feel overwhelmed with homework, and it's taking a toll on their mental health.It’s the million billion dollar question. How did we get to a point where some teens are so hyper-competitive that giving them a “B” on a paper or quiz is like giving them an “F”? Why do some teens now overload themselves with advanced placement courses and …

Starting on the right footOn the first day or two of school, it can be tempting to want to lay the ground rules. You know, set the expectations about workload, go over the rules, and fill out the required forms. But Rick Wormeli wants to challenge educators to think differently.Wormeli, one of the first Nationally Board Certified Teachers in Americ…

Do we often pay attention to the conversations we're having with children? Or is it just automatic? Rebecca Rolland, a speech pathologist, affiliated with Children's Hospital Boston, has put together a guide to achieving what she calls "rich talk." It is a deeper conversation that can transform your relationships with children.The science of conver…

How to start with learner-led conferencesFor many educators, the idea of letting a student lead a parent-teacher conference is unsettling. However, if done correctly, a learner-led conference opens an opportunity for self-evaluation, which can lead to figuring out the next steps in learning.Our guest in Episode 222 has spent years practicing learne…

The number of emerging companies in the EdTech space can be overwhelming for school districts. The fast growth of new K-12 software companies is due, in part, to COVID 19 and a subsequent surge in ESSER funds.Our guest in Episode 221 is an expert in parsing through the EdTech space. Doug Roberts is the Founder and CEO of the Institute for Education…

It's no secret that mental health care can be expensive and difficult to access, especially for young people. This can be a huge problem for students, who often face significant stressors. Bridging the gap in student access to mental health care can alleviate some of these stressors.Dr. Travis Gayles, a recent recipient of the AMA Award for Outstan…

Tools for facing adversityWhen teachers at Robert W. Coleman Elementary in Baltimore are struggling with a student’s behavior, the educators have an alternative to detention. Instead, they can refer the student to meditation.The Holistic Life Foundation keeps three staff members in a “mindful moment room” ready to help a frustrated student with a 1…

In Episode 218 of the Class Dismissed Podcast, we caught up with Minnesota principal and author Jessica Cabeen. Cabeen, who is the author of “Lead with Grace: Leaning into the Soft Skills of Leadership,” shared tips on handling professional confrontations.Cabeen says one of the biggest mistakes school leaders can make is to “lead with their title.”…

The HELPER ActIn Episode 217 of Class Dismissed, we talk with Sam Royer, the architect of the HELPER Act, a bipartisan bill with broad support in the U.S. House, with a companion bill recently introduced on the other end of Capitol Hill by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) & Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA).The legislation would eliminate a down payment requirement an…