Focusing on opportunities for students and staff to shape a positive school environment Oftentimes the terms culture and climate are bandied about as an inseparable pair in school settings. Rarely in my experience are they broken down into their respective domains to parse out their specific purpose and value. According to INcompassing Education, “Culture is
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Redesigning the classroom experience to promote success in the middle grades When it comes to student success, a positive school culture can be as important as the curriculum. When students are engaged, motivated, and empowered, academic success will almost always follow. This is especially true in the middle grades. The experiences students have during the
18 elements to keep in the forefront to create a strong, sustained, celebrated school culture Building and sustaining a positive school culture is the all-encompassing factor of a successful school. It is not a system. It is not a program. It is a way of being. And even when putting time, money, and energy into
How parents and educators can help students cope with social distancing While on a socially distanced walk with my husband today, we heard a cacophony of caw-caws. My husband turned to me to ask, “What do you call a group of crows? A gaggle? A flock?” Without hesitation, I responded, “It’s a murder of crows.”
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Supporting students during this changing and uncertain time My 11-year-old son recently got an email from his coach, Ava Benach, on what was supposed to be his first day of baseball practice. “Hi team,” she wrote. “I wanted to send a brief link of Juan Soto that shows you what a remarkably disciplined hitter he
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A teacher’s story of finding joy working with middle schoolers I didn’t want to be a teacher. I just didn’t. Even though I had teacher Barbie and played teacher on an old chalkboard in our basement, I didn’t want to do it. I think I just wanted to tell a bunch of stuffed animals what