Environmental science teacher Jamie Esler takes his Idaho high school students outdoors for hands-on learning about climate science and climate change. They take core samples from trees, measure declining snowpack and calculate carbon dioxide levels. This hands-on field work is more impactful than a slideshow packed with data and graphs, Esler says. Before students step […]
In a world of round-the-clock distractions, being a mindful leader is a powerful tool. Mindfulness is simply the act of being consciously aware and of focusing on the present moment in a nonjudgmental way. Research shows that mindfulness improves concentration, inspires creativity and energizes our interactions with others. Whether managing stress or achieving nirvana-like relaxation […]
When Mark MacLean became superintendent of the Merrimack Valley and Andover School Districts in New Hampshire four years ago, he wanted to find an online solution for teacher evaluation that could also link to professional development. After some research with his leadership team, MacLean found TeachPoint, which offers a Professional Development Tracking Solution that also […]
BARTLETT, TENNESSEE—Only a handful of superintendents have launched a brand-new district. Even fewer have done it only months after being involved in a large-scale merger. Meet David Stephens, superintendent of Bartlett City Schools in a middle-class Memphis suburb. Stephens—whose father, grandfather, aunt and uncle all taught in Tennessee school districts—was chosen in 2013 to lead […]
Many things threaten to keep a public education leader up at night. With some issues, it's because they stir excitement and inspiration; but with others, not so much. To bring the persistent, insomnia-inducing challenges into clearer focus, the 2018 installment of DA's annual Outlook issue gives prominence to the voices of educators and experts who […]
With districts facing a shortage of bilingual teachers, paraprofessionals present a rich source of candidates. They often have strong ties to the community and already know students and parents, says Santiago Wood, executive director of the National Association for Bilingual Education. "I don't believe districts can continue to rely solely and perpetually on overseas recruitment […]
I believe in the validity of vocational programs. However, I do have concerns about the context of what is being taught to these students in a rapidly changing economy. Vocational education at the secondary level has a long and storied tradition in the history of the United States. It is an institutional framework that meets the needs […]
The organizational tendency of many large school districts is to divide elementary and secondary education into separate departments. Dearborn Public Schools' central office followed this model for decades. During tough financial times there was a history of competition for limited district resources between elementary and secondary central office staff and building administrators. This led to […]
Giftedness is not just a test score. How many students have we seen who did not have a test score to qualify for a gifted program but became an expert in an area of passion and interest? This broader definition of giftedness is one I learned from Joseph Renzulli, a longtime professor of educational psychology […]
