Teacher Professionalism
School Climate & Safety
Opinion
Educators, This Is Our Moment to Defend the Teaching Profession
In this moment of loss, the coronavirus pandemic offers four opportunities to demand the rebirth of public education, writes Amy Stuart Wells.
Teaching
Opinion
Stop Devaluing the Wisdom of Teachers. Researchers Don't Have a Monopoly on Evidence
Too often, the education research community treats scientific evidence as the only knowledge worth having, writes Joseph Murphy.
Teaching Profession
Opinion
A Lesson for Donald Trump Jr., From a 'Loser Teacher'
When the president's son called out teachers for trying to "sell" students on "socialism," Gina Caneva decided it was a bridge too far.
Teaching Profession
From 'Rotten Apples' to Martyrs: America Has Changed Its Tune on Teachers
After years of being blamed for the problems in schools, teachers are now being held up as victims of a broken system. How did the pendulum swing so quickly?
Equity & Diversity
Opinion
Bad Language in the Classroom
There are differences in use of offensive language--centered around the content of the point the speaker is trying to make. Still, I am appalled (as a teacher, especially) by the degradation of language in public discourse. Before we start selectively shaming folks, I think we should look at root causes.
Teaching Profession
Opinion
Who Do You Picture When You Think of a Leader?
Nobody's more pragmatic than a would-be teacher leader who knows that taking on leadership roles means expanding the workload. More to the point, teacher leaders understand that the only definition of leadership that matters in education world is keeping one's promises. Getting stuff--the right stuff--done. Gender is irrelevant, they'll tell you.
School & District Management
Opinion
The Grinch Who Stole Teacher Appreciation Week
It's time we asked ourselves just who gets 'appreciated' once a year--and whose work is considered vital, essential and fully professional year-round, with no need for annual symbolic gestures. There's something about Teacher Appreciation Week that smacks of a pat on the head for being willing to go the distance without adequate compensation or support.
Teaching Profession
Opinion
I Was a Doctor. Now I’m a Teacher. Why Don’t I Get the Same Level of Respect?
Until we remedy our pervasive denigration of teachers, public education will continue to miss the mark, writes former pediatrician Kim Talikoff.
Reading & Literacy
Opinion
Are the Reading Wars 'Settled Science'?
I certainly hope there's never a rigid, unchanging agreement on the One Best Way to teach people of any age to read. All scholarly disciplines should undergo regular re-assessment, as research reshapes knowledge. There are still classrooms in the United States, after all, where evolution is not settled science.
Equity & Diversity
Opinion
What Feeds Bias in the Education World?
I'm not naïve enough to think that schools could turn hearts and minds in a K-12 generation. But could they do significant good, given the right tools and incentives?
Teaching Profession
Opinion
Suffering Teachers Can't Be Good Teachers
Teacher walkouts are the ultimate outcome of wringing every drop of energy, patience and creative juice out of a well-meaning workforce.
School Climate & Safety
Opinion
Every Day We Fail to Take Action, We Choose This Fate
We live in a country that turns its back on our very future: our public schools, the precious children who attend them, and the teachers who sacrifice their energy, spirit and personal resources to keep these children safe and growing.
Teaching Profession
Opinion
What Is a 'Quality' Curriculum?
Using a range of materials, and, more important, creating hands-on experiences and interactions with big ideas within a discipline, helps students construct and apply knowledge.
School & District Management
Opinion
Should Teachers Invite Policymakers Into Their Classrooms?
In my teaching career, I have had more than the usual number of opportunities to have outsiders (including media, education organizations, researchers and, yes, legislators) visit my classroom. And I can testify that most visitors don't come to learn something new from an hour or two walking in the teacher's shoes. They come with an agenda.