Top Teacher Stories of 2016: Education Week Teacher's Most Viewed

For an idea of what piqued our readers' interests in 2016, the editors at Education Week Teacher compiled a list of the 10 most-viewed articles. Do you have a favorite article that wasn't included? Feel free to let us know in the comments section below.

1. Why I Plan to Stay in Teaching

Amid the flurry of "Why I'm Quitting" stories, educators who plan to teach for the rest of their careers need to speak up about why they have made that choice, says Justin Minkel. (February 24, 2016) | Filed Under: Teaching Profession

2. Some of America's Top Teachers Went to Finland. Here's What They Learned

Six state teachers of the year traveled to Finland to see how one of the world's top education systems treats its teachers. (July 22, 2016) | From the Blog: Teaching Now

3. The Election Is Over, But for Teachers, Hard Conversations Are Just Beginning

Teachers are grappling with how to discuss the end of a divisive election with their students. (November 9, 2016) | From the Blog: Teaching Now

4. Three Ways Teachers Can Make School Suck Less

While many factors are out of their control, teachers still have a responsibility to try to make students' time in the classroom as enjoyable and meaningful as possible, writes Justin Minkel. (February 2, 2016) | Filed Under: Classroom Management

5. The Power of Reading Aloud in Middle School Classrooms

Language arts teacher Timothy Dolan shares how taking the time to read to his students became a cornerstone of his teaching. (March 22, 2016) | Filed Under: Curriculum and Instruction

6. Student-Teacher's Rap Video Welcoming His Students Goes Viral

A student teacher in Chicago made a rap video for students to welcome them to school. (August 26, 2016) | From the Blog: Teaching Now

7. The Pay Gap For Teachers Is Growing, New Study Finds

A new report by the Economic Policy Institute finds that the pay gap for teachers has grown significantly in recent decades. (August 12, 2016) | From the Blog: Teaching Now

8. Building Empathy in Classrooms and Schools

Teachers Brianna Crowley and Barry Saide offer advice on developing an empathic mindset in an education culture that doesn’t always value it but desperately needs it. (January 20, 2016) | Filed Under: Classroom Management

9. High School Students Say Student-Led Discussions and Group Work Often Go Awry

An Atlanta Journal-Constitution column interviewed teens about their resentments in school—and found they hate group work and when teachers allow students to commandeer classroom discussions. (June 3, 2016) | From the Blog: Teaching Now

10. You No Longer Need a Teaching Degree to Teach in Utah

Utah schools can now hire individuals with only bachelor's degrees to teach certain subjects, like computer science, in an effort to stem the teacher shortage. (June 14, 2016) | From the Blog: Teaching Now