I’ve previously written that student behavior is not personal. This is true. Pressure from students' outside lives can erupt in class. Unprocessed grief can become disruption. Unfelt anger can become a refusal to participate. It’s important that we as teachers recognize the many external factors...
The education of children is a responsibility that must be shared by the teacher and families alike. We need to recognize what a powerful asset a parent or family member can be; what powerful components parents and guardians are to a child’s success. To work...
"There's a fight in the library!" It's 2 pm, and Chelsea is standing on the faded asphalt, yelling. Our principal, Ms. Benjamin, shoots up from her desk and pops out her door onto the quad, wondering how a fight could possibly be happening in our...
When I am brainstorming ideas about how to support educators or youth… one of the questions that is simple, sometimes infuriating, but always important is “For what?” While simple, this question always takes me back to purpose and objective. Why am I doing this? Will it...
Effective educators profoundly understand that “nurturing” scholars means demonstrating “care.” Many teachers may misunderstand “care” as unconditional praise, downshifting expectations for scholars...
Positive Narration is the act of focusing on what students are doing correctly and openly saying those things aloud to help motivate students and provide a more positive classroom culture. Don’t underestimate the role of positive narration and its range of influence on establishing, developing, and...
It’s not the students. It’s us. The evidence from CT3's work suggests that educators formulate their cultural responsiveness through connections with the people, places and experiences that reciprocate value. If we do not value the output we are getting from students and our coaches do not push...
I teach everything from kids with horrifically unfortunate home lives to those with two parents and who live in million dollar homes (in my area that's a very fine home). We serve them all and we love them all, not that it’s always easy. Especially...
I have been blessed to serve as a public school educator for about 15 years. I have worked in foster homes, Detention Centers and in 3 different large public high schools, both with urban needs as well as suburban youth. My No-Nonsense Nurturer® (NNN) training came when...
Why are teacher relationships so important? Education has always been a rich source for personal experiences, both good and sad. As I celebrate my 30th year as an educator, my last 10 years as an instructional leader improving Title 1 schools, I can’t help but reflect...