Helping Struggling ESL Students: Practical Strategies for Teachers Learning a second language as an adult—or even as a child—can be a demanding process. English in particular poses unique challenges for new learners because of its irregular spelling, wide range of idioms and slang, grammatical exceptions, and vocabulary borrowed from many languages. These features can slow … Read more

Empathy: Why It Matters and How to Practice It Every Day Written by: Robyn Shulman Empathy is often misunderstood and used as shorthand for simple sympathy or a fleeting emotional reaction. In reality, empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. It goes beyond donating money or shedding a tear … Read more

By Jacqueline Gordon As we continue researching principals’ experiences with the growing teacher shortage, I remain surprised by how many vacancies are still being filled through traditional interview processes. Having worked with and observed numerous schools and districts over the last decade, the reasons are both straightforward and obvious to anyone who recruits for a … Read more

Skodel, an Australian company focused on student wellbeing check-ins, has secured $1.8 million in funding to advance its mission of giving every student a voice that is listened to and acted upon. Co-founded by identical twins Ian and Julian Fagan together with their friend Huon Peard, the company was born from the founders’ personal and … Read more

Written by Robyn Shulman, M.Ed. Become the “Little Big You”: Practical Steps for Personal Growth A longtime friend recently reminded me of a phrase she has used to describe me for years: “You have always been this little big you.” At first I found the phrase charming, but as I thought about it more, its … Read more

In 2021 the technology sector continued to expand, with more than 220,000 new jobs added and cybersecurity projected to grow by 31 percent over the next decade. Whether you already work in tech or are preparing to enter the field, improving your performance and staying competitive will help you advance. The rapidly changing technical landscape … Read more

Written by Rich Baxter What Is The Bootstrapping Checklist for Public Schools? The Bootstrapping Checklist for Public Schools is a practical workflow designed to teach essential 21st-century skills—communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity—through project-based, experiential learning. Aligned with STEAM curricula, the Checklist guides students through project management, innovation and entrepreneurship, helping them apply classroom learning … Read more

By Sal Gerardo “A student is not a container you have to fill, but a torch you have to light up.” — Albert Einstein Education faces significant challenges. Some of these stem from the pandemic; others arise because schools and educational systems have been slow to adapt to a rapidly changing world and evolving industries. … Read more

By James Stoffer and Zach Vander Veen Editor’s Note: This is part three of a five-part series. (See part one and part two.) This may be the first time in history that technology exists to make true community schooling a scalable reality. Here’s what you need to know. Community schooling is not a new idea—its … Read more

Music can stir deep emotions and instantly transport us to another time. Because emotion enhances memory, music also becomes a powerful tool for learning and retention. As Maya Angelou observed, “At the end of the day, people won’t remember what you said or did; they will remember how you made them feel.” Teachers who harness … Read more