This article supports the following characteristics from The Successful Middle School: This We Believe: Curriculum is challenging, exploratory, integrative, and diverse. Instruction fosters learning that is...

This article supports the following characteristics from The Successful Middle School: This We Believe: Educators respect and value young adolescents. The school environment is welcoming, inclusive, and affirming...

The difficult news stories of last week left students with added stress and anxiety, and while we tried to help them process questions and emotions, we found our own stress and concerns needing attention, as...

Most middle school educators have spent at least some time in the virtual classroom this year, and especially in March when each minute of class time took hours of prep work to translate from traditional modes into...

Anxiety is a real thing. It affects every one of us. From our students' homes to our school buildings and into the district office, we are impacted by a myriad of things that require us to make decisions on a daily...

As a new school counselor 25 years ago, I listened to our school vigorously debate whether or not to have a Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA), asking questions such as "Will kids become gay if we talk about it?" (a commonly...

Take a minute and study the following image from an online course. Let’s start with a “notice and wonder” thinking routine. What do you notice (just the facts, please!)? What does this image (or...

Communicating with families has always been a valuable part of my practice. In previous years, this communication was primarily designed to build relationships and provide insight into student’s progress and our...

Each year I look for new and creative ways to introduce the content in my class. Each year, the expectation of educating, entertaining, and inspiring my students is my top priority. However, this year…well,...

Every fall I teach a differentiated instruction class at Canisius College for teachers who are pursuing their master's degree in differentiation. I LOVE this class because they are my people: they get the need...