Repost: Every Teen Needs a Champion

This post originally appeared in ASCD Express on May 9, 2019. “Every child deserves a champion: an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection, and insists they become the best they can possibly be.” — Rita Pierson While teenagers sometimes act as if they know everything and don’t need anyone, […]

Three Relationship-Building Strategies Found in Your Classroom Library

It’s commonplace to hear the phrase “student relationships” in any school you walk into across the country. At CT3, we take it one step further as we ask teachers and school leaders to think about building life-altering relationships. Think back for a moment to the teacher you had that truly made a difference in your […]

Who Can We Run To? Supporting Black Males in the Classroom and Beyond

Supporting Black Males in the Classroom In a country where one in three black males will be incarcerated at some point in their lives (Equal Justice Initiative, 2018), who do black males run to for support? The statistics are alarming. According to NAACP.org, African Americans/blacks are incarcerated at more than five times the rate of […]

Meet Randall Duval: Author and Real Time Teacher Coach

When I met Randall Duval, Real Time Teacher Coach and 12th Grade Language Arts Teacher at Denver Center for International Studies at Montebello, I knew immediately that he was a No-Nonsense Nurturer® by the way he talked about his relationships with students and his passion to see that they were treated with dignity and held […]

The Special Education Teacher: A Trained Engineer

Honestly, when I first started out as a teacher in special education, I didn’t think I offered anything different to my students than what the mainstream teachers in my school could provide. I didn’t think I had any of that “magic pixie dust” that colleagues, parents, and administrators seemed to think I would be able […]

Caring About vs. Caring For

Travel to schools across the country, and you’ll see it’s clear that teachers are working hard and truly care about their students.  Otherwise, they wouldn’t be doing this job day after day. When I walk through buildings and talk with teachers, I hear and sense this. However, when it comes to what care actually looks […]

Top 8 Tips for New Teachers That You Probably Haven’t Considered

Here are some teacher guidance tips for new teachers. Being a first-year teacher is rewarding, challenging, and filled with lessons that you plan for your students and that you learn from yourself.  While your first year is likely to include late night planning, anxiety with each classroom observation, and tons of trial and error, there […]