Opinion Blog

Classroom Q&A

With Larry Ferlazzo

In this EdWeek blog, an experiment in knowledge-gathering, Ferlazzo will address readers’ questions on classroom management, ELL instruction, lesson planning, and other issues facing teachers. Send your questions to lferlazzo@epe.org. Read more from this blog.

An award-winning English and Social Studies teacher at Luther Burbank High School in Sacramento, Calif., Larry Ferlazzo is the author of Helping Students Motivate Themselves: Practical Answers To Classroom Challenges, The ESL/ELL Teacher’s Survival Guide, and Building Parent Engagement In Schools.

Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
Teaching Opinion How to Change Teachers' Minds About Leaving the Classroom
The underlying reasons teachers are leaving the classroom aren't always obvious. Here's how they can be overcome.
Larry Ferlazzo, June 19, 2025
6 min read
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
Artificial Intelligence Opinion AI Can Save Teachers Time and Stress. Here's How
What once took teachers hours to prepare now takes minutes, creating new opportunities for instruction.
Larry Ferlazzo, June 18, 2025
13 min read
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
Teaching Profession Opinion Larry Ferlazzo's 6 Reasons Why He Stayed at His School
Why leave a high school where the administrators have fostered a supportive environment and made teaching fulfilling?
Larry Ferlazzo, June 13, 2025
5 min read
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
Teaching Opinion Correlation? Causation? Effect Sizes? What Should a Teacher Trust?
Understanding research implications for the classroom is key to determining student outcomes.
Larry Ferlazzo, June 10, 2025
5 min read
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
Teaching Profession Opinion Larry Ferlazzo: 10 Things I Will (and Won't) Miss When I Retire
After 23 years, I am bidding farewell to my classroom. But I'm far from done with education, he explains.
Larry Ferlazzo, June 5, 2025
4 min read
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
Teaching Opinion Advice for Beginning—and Veteran—Teachers
Larry Ferlazzo offers advice for new teachers gleaned from his many years of experience in the classroom.
Larry Ferlazzo, June 3, 2025
3 min read
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
Teaching Opinion Students Can Easily Fall for Dangerous Messaging. What Teachers Can Do
Bad feelings and alienation can plague young people. You can address those emotions in the classroom.
Larry Ferlazzo, May 29, 2025
4 min read
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
Teaching Opinion Improve Your Teaching With These Easy-to-Prep Strategies
Educators share easy steps that teachers can take to bring about big differences in their instruction.
Larry Ferlazzo, May 22, 2025
10 min read
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
Teaching Opinion Students Are Regularly Exposed to Sexist Content Online. What Should Teachers Do
Andrew Tate's messaging about the "manosphere" is just one example of the dangerous messages students are receiving.
Larry Ferlazzo, May 20, 2025
5 min read
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
Artificial Intelligence Opinion AI Tutors Can Be Both a Help and a Hindrance in the Classroom, Explain Teachers
Chatbots are no silver bullet, and there's much to caution about them, but they do offer some promise.
Larry Ferlazzo, May 9, 2025
8 min read
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
Teaching Profession Opinion My Grandson Is Becoming a Teacher. Here's What I Want Him to Know
Larry Ferlazzo, who retires from teaching at the end of this year, offers guidance for new and veteran educators.
Larry Ferlazzo, May 5, 2025
4 min read
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
Teaching Opinion Teachers Share Their Best Advice—in 6 Words or Less
Veteran educators know their stuff and share it—succinctly.
Larry Ferlazzo, April 30, 2025
2 min read
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
Teaching Opinion COVID Still Affects Classrooms. Here's How
Five years after the start of the pandemic, educators witness its ongoing consequences.
Larry Ferlazzo, April 29, 2025
11 min read
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
Reading & Literacy Opinion Don't Underestimate the Power of Graphic Novels for the Classroom
Not just an easy read: Comics and graphic novels can teach a host of skills, three educators explain.
Larry Ferlazzo, April 23, 2025
11 min read