Small Things That Make a Big Difference in the Classroom
Sometimes the smallest practices and moments can make a huge difference in the classroom and with students. Ask anyone about their best school memories and, chances are, they will have little to do with the lessons or the test scores and much to do with the relationships and connections they formed with their teachers. Here’s a look at small classroom practices that have a mighty impact. Welcoming students at the door There’s so much to do at the start of class, but greeting
What Equity Really Means in Schools
Equity and equality are two different concepts that are often used interchangeably. Many people think that equity in education means everyone getting the same thing, but it actually means that everyone gets access to what they need. So how can we work to truly narrow the gaps and improve student learning? Let’s take a closer look. Equality versus equity To understand what equity means in schools, we must first separate it from equality. “We have heard the terms equality and e
Three Takeaways from EduCon
I spent this weekend at EduCon 2019 at Science Leadership Academy in Philadelphia, PA. For anyone unfamiliar with EduCon, the creators of EDxEDNYC dreamed up the idea for EDxEDNYC on the train ride back to NYC from Philly after attending EduCon several years ago. To quote the website, EduCon is “an innovation conference where we can come together, both in person and virtually, to discuss the future of schools” — a future that is inquiry-driven, includes student voice, and use
Humility For Effective Collaboration in Schools
I often find myself returning to a chapter in Building School 2.0 entitled Humility Matters, as it reminds me that it is okay to struggle, because the work of teaching and learning is hard. It requires a lot of courage, among all of those involved, to take the risks necessary for real learning to happen. But authors Lehman and Chase are cautious about this courage as it has two edges. They say that courage “can also create a surety that is dangerous” as “the death of any gr
The Best Laid (Lesson) Plans Go Awry
Today, I continued work on my basement. This has been an ongoing project for the better part of 2 months now, and it has been wrought with fits and starts the entire time. Today’s work was less than ideal. There were a series of setbacks that resulted in a seemingly wasted day. The beauty of working on my house, and in my past experience in construction, is the immediate gratification that comes from altering the landscape in which you are working. No matter what I do in my h
Friday Humor: Things You Should Never Ever Say to a Teacher
Teachers work hard, putting in tons of hours both at school and at home. They use their own money for supplies. They decorate classrooms to create beautiful learning environments. They create lessons, projects, and units that have to factor in an ever-changing landscape of “musts.” They have endless meetings and responsibilities on top of their classes. And somehow, they manage to do it all despite challenging attitudes, moments of push-back, and seemingly insurmountable obst
Testing: How far is the moon from the Earth?
As we approach our mid year state assessments, I am reminded of a blog post I wrote 11 years ago around this same time. I think it's still relevant today: “Today, a colleague whom I have come to regard very highly told me a story. They spoke of a friend who, upon interviewing for a position in a NY District Attorney’s Office, was asked the question, “How far is the moon from the Earth?*” What skill would an aspiring assistant district attorney need to answer this question? T
How to Encourage Student Self-Efficacy
A confident classroom is a successful classroom. How do you build a culture of academic excellence in classrooms that promote student accountability, confidence, and success? By encouraging a growth mindset for all learners, finding ways to boost their confidence and their sense of academic potential. Here’s a look at a few ways to cultivate student self-efficacy. What is self-efficacy? According to Transforming Education, “Self-efficacy is the belief in one’s ability to succ
How Positive Student-Teacher Relationships Create Resilient Learners
In her viral TED Talk “Every Kid Needs a Champion,” 40-year educator Rita Pierson, recounted a time when she heard a colleague say, “They don’t pay me to like the kids.” Her response: “Kids don’t learn from people they don’t like.” When most of us think back to our time in school, our stories tend to include the teachers with whom we had real, lasting connections. Our favorite teachers often changed our outlook on learning, made class fun, and inspired us to push beyond what
Empowering Teachers at EDxEDNYC 2019
It's that time of year! EDxEDNYC is back and ready for 2019! The EDxEDNYC Conference is June 6, 2019 from 9am-3:30pm. The EDxEDNYC Story Five years ago, a group of educators at Hudson High School of Learning Technologies wanted to make a difference in professional learning. After attending countless PD's and conferences, we noticed that teacher voice and choice were sorely lacking from professional development. Why weren't teachers learning from other teachers? Why did profes