Teaching Ahead, an interactive project jointly developed by Education Week Teacher and the Center for Teaching Quality, was designed to bring greater exposure to the ideas of standout classroom educators on the future of their profession. Each month, selected teacher panelists were asked to respond to and discuss key issues in education policy and instructional practice. The discussions were intended to help inform the national conversation on the direction of public schools. This blog is no longer being updated.
Education
Opinion
Even Digital Natives Need to Learn 'Common-Sense' Tech Skills
Today's elementary school students have grown up with devices, but they still need guidance and structure around tech use, writes Natalie Makulski.
Education
Opinion
Integrating New Tech? Students and Teachers Can Learn From Each Other
Teachers can leverage teens' tech expertise and social media savvy, but remember that students still need training in new tools to use them well, writes Aaron Manfull.
Education
Opinion
Want Kids to Use Tech Productively? That's 'Asking the Impossible'
Students have been conditioned to use devices for entertainment, not academics, writes social studies teacher Matt Miles.
Education
Opinion
How Teachers Can and Should Use Technology in the Classroom
Integrating technology requires a significant investment of time and money, but the resources are well-spent if the focus is improving instruction, writes educational consultant Matthew Lynch.
Education
Opinion
Technology Should Bend to Fit Your Needs—Not the Other Way Around
Teachers can face pressure to center technology in their classrooms, but these tools are only useful when they assist in instruction, writes Kathleen Sheehy.
Teaching Profession
Opinion
How Can We Fix Teacher Recertification? Consider the National Board
A reflective, performance-based, independent assessment of a teacher's practice could make the recertification process meaningful again, Catherine Anderson writes.
Education
Opinion
Teaching Licenses Don't Reflect Teachers' Expertise. Here's How to Change That
Too often, the recertification process requires a calculation of seat time, not a reflection of what was actually learned, argues Jessica Keigan.
Education
Opinion
Give Teachers a Free T-Shirt, and Other Ways to Improve Recertification
Renewing a teaching certificate is often dreaded and painful, writes Chris Woods. Here are some ways to make it better.
Education
Opinion
Teachers Should Have 'Purpose and Flexibility' When Renewing Their Licenses
Teachers should have the opportunity to pursue the learning they need, rather than simply what's required by the district, Tricia Ebner writes.
Education
Opinion
Professional Learning Is More Meaningful When Done as a Team
High-quality professional learning is difficult to provide in education, principal Jasmine Kullar writes. Here's a solution.
Teaching Profession
Opinion
Being OK With Not Being OK: Teaching and Loving Ourselves
Teachers need to make sure to care for themselves so they can better care for their students, Christina Torres writes.
Teaching Profession
Opinion
Social-Emotional Intelligence Is Missing From School. Here's Why That Matters.
When teachers implement social and emotional skills into their classrooms, students benefit academically and personally, writes Fredrick Scott Salyers.
Teaching Profession
Opinion
How Can Districts Help Teachers Develop Social-Emotional Skills?
District leaders have an important role to play in helping teachers develop social-emotional skills for a healthy work-life balance, writes Michael Gallagher.
Teaching Profession
Opinion
We Need to Support the Mental Health and Wellness of Teachers
Creating a space in school for teacher support groups enables educators to cope with stress and make positive change in their work-life balance, Danna Thomas writes.