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 What's So Wrong About a Student's 'Wrong' Answer? Nothing
Here's how teachers can embrace each learning experience rather than making students feel ignorant.
Larry Ferlazzo, July 31, 2026
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7 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 How to Turn Around Challenging Relationships With Your Students
Two veteran teachers share advice for connecting with each of your students.
Larry Ferlazzo, July 28, 2026
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5 min read
Collage of an image of three students reading books in a library, a stack of novels, and images of text from the pages of books.
Illustration by Emily Wright for Education Week + Getty
Reading & Literacy Opinion Teacher-Tested Strategies for Improving Reading Instruction
How educators are making literacy lessons stick in their classrooms.
Larry Ferlazzo, July 27, 2026
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1 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
Equity & Diversity Opinion 'Culturally Responsive Teaching Isn’t Performative’: How to Get It Right
Want to create a more equitable education experience for all students? Start here.
Larry Ferlazzo, July 20, 2026
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9 min read
Collage of one image of a teacher working in a planning book, an image of two teachers looking at a document together and sticky notes with the words "training" and "strategies" on them.
Illustration by Emily Wright for Education Week + Getty
School & District Management Opinion This Is What Teachers Want From Their Leaders
School and district administrators should take note of this feedback from educators.
Larry Ferlazzo, July 17, 2026
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1 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
Mathematics Opinion Math Instruction Needs to Change. Here's How
A lot has changed in math education in the last decade. Here’s what the next 10 years may hold.
Larry Ferlazzo, July 15, 2026
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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
Reading & Literacy Opinion ‘A Blessing and a Challenge’: What Teachers Think of the Science of Reading
In these classrooms, the recent push for foundational literacy skills has been transformational.
Larry Ferlazzo, July 13, 2026
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7 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 How You Can Teach Students to Be More Grateful
When students learn to look for the good, they’re building far-reaching habits.
Larry Ferlazzo, July 2, 2026
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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 Teachers: Here's How Your Students Say You Can Reach Them
High schoolers advise teachers on what it takes to get students interested in learning.
Larry Ferlazzo, June 30, 2026
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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
Teaching Opinion Become Your Own Researcher: How Teachers Are Experimenting in the Classroom
Research shouldn’t stay in the ivory tower. “Action research” can transform your teaching practice.
Larry Ferlazzo, June 25, 2026
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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
Mathematics Opinion Everybody Is a Math Person. Now, Convince Your Students
Math educators offer tips on how to engage students on the subject.
Larry Ferlazzo, June 23, 2026
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7 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 If You Don't See Value in an Assignment, Your Students Won't, Either
From reading to decisionmaking, educators offer ideas on how best to encourage learning.
Larry Ferlazzo, June 16, 2026
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14 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
Classroom Technology Opinion How to Run a Classroom That’s Not Screen-Dependent
Educators share tips for navigating thorny decisions about ed tech.
Larry Ferlazzo, June 11, 2026
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12 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
English Learners Opinion Immigrant Student Enrollment Is Falling. How Should Schools Respond?
Enrollment patterns may change, but schools still need to take care of their English learners.
Larry Ferlazzo, June 3, 2026
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6 min read