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.

A former award-winning English and social studies teacher, Larry Ferlazzo is the author of several books, including 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
Personalized Learning Opinion Does Anyone Really Want Tech-Enabled 'Personalized Learning'?
The concept goes back decades, yet even the richest parents seek social learning for their kids.
Larry Ferlazzo, September 8, 2026
•
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
Mathematics Opinion The Five Questions You Should Ask Before Believing the ‘Science of Math’
Here’s why we should be wary of people claiming to have found the next "science of reading."
Larry Ferlazzo, September 1, 2026
•
5 min read
Collage of an image of a student high-fiving a teacher in a classroom, a close-up image of a teacher pointing on a sheet of paper while a student writes with a pencil, a chalkboard with writing on it and an image of pencils and a book sitting on a desk.
Illustration by Emily Wright for Education Week + Getty
Teaching Opinion Teaching Strategies to Keep in Your Back Pocket
Educators share the approaches that can make all the difference in the classroom.
Larry Ferlazzo, August 31, 2026
•
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
Teaching Opinion ‘The Best Classes Are the Ones Where …’: Students on What Makes Teachers Stand Out
These “kid reporters” lay out what all teachers can learn from their favorite classroom experiences.
Larry Ferlazzo, August 24, 2026
•
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
Science Opinion What Should Science Education Look Like 10 Years From Now?
Science instruction has already had some big changes in the past decade. Where is it going next?
Larry Ferlazzo, August 21, 2026
•
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 Opinion ‘Autopilot Is the Enemy’: Why You Should Shake Up Your Stale Classroom Script
Lisa Delpit and Christopher Emdin explain how to bring more agency and energy into teaching.
Larry Ferlazzo, August 19, 2026
•
6 min read
Collage with a photo of a young boy using a laptop with the assistance of a teacher, a motherboard, a keyboard with a child's hands typing on it and torn pieces of paper with handwriting and numbers on them.
Illustration by Emily Wright for Education Week + Getty
Artificial Intelligence Opinion How Teachers Are Experimenting With AI
From supporting students to saving time on tasks, educators share their thoughts on the tool.
Larry Ferlazzo, August 18, 2026
•
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 How Should White Teachers Show Up for Their Colleagues of Color?
Racial equity demands fewer allies and more co-conspirators. Here’s why the distinction matters.
Larry Ferlazzo, August 12, 2026
•
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
English Learners Opinion Listening to Learn: How to Teach English Learners This Overlooked Skill
We must explicitly teach students to be effective listeners—especially in the era of screen time.
Larry Ferlazzo, August 11, 2026
•
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 Opinion What Makes a Good Teacher? Lisa Delpit and Christopher Emdin Go Deep
The popular educators expound on race and education in their new book, The Sacred Art of Teaching.
Larry Ferlazzo, August 5, 2026
•
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 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
•
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
•
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
•
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
•
9 min read