It was exhilarating to see a diverse group of stakeholders from the NYC education community come together to discuss Collective Impact reform at Frontier 2018.
Read MoreAnnouncing Frontier Roundtable Topics!
I am thrilled to announce the roundtable discussion topics that will take place at Frontier 2018!
Read MorePlanting Seeds for Collective Impact Reform
Frontier 2018 is planting seeds for a collective impact in NYC education reform.
Read MoreHow Educators and School Leaders Can Claim a Voice in Reform
After much reflection and trial and error, here are some actionable steps I’d suggest for those who want to enter the reform space without leaving the school.
Read MoreFrontier 2018 & Collective Impact
This week, I asked myself 3 critical questions to help me incorporate collective impact into Frontier 2018.
Read MoreMy Goals for the 2018 School Year
It's important to pause and take stock of the moments that offer insight into ourselves as educators, school leaders or students still studying the field.
Read MoreNew Yorkers Don't Want to Integrate Schools
Recent efforts to address racial segregation in the city’s public school system have been met with fervent push back from the community.
Read MoreWhy & How We Need to Address Standardization
Standardized education is the replication of routine teaching and learning methods, but its trend reaches beyond high-stakes testing.
Read MoreWhy School Integration Isn't My Priority
School integration is a double edged sword and we need to become more critical about it
Read MoreParents Lost in Sea of City Schools
There is a huge information gap in the school selection process and it is vital that parents are given the resources they need in order to prepare their children for academic success.
Read More5 Questions Teachers and Admins Should Ask Themselves Right Now
With the holiday break right around the corner, students are at their peak levels of hyperactivity, which means that school staff members can’t wait to escape the building to enjoy a few coveted student-free days. Despite the desire for teachers and school leaders to leave all thoughts of work at the door, it is important to take a moment over the break to reflect on the school year thus far. The stretch between September and November has flashed by and it is easy to continue hitting the “go” button, but sometimes it is necessary to reset in order to redirect in the right direction.
A few questions to keep in mind over the break:
1. What kind of relationships have I built with students? With staff members?
Relationships are the foundation of meaningful learning and growth--when we respect, trust and admire those we work with, we are motivated to go the extra mile to give others what they need to succeed. Building positive relationships with students allows for more productive instruction and an easier time managing the classroom. Similarly, building trust with staff members creates room for collaboration and a cohesive school culture -- students mirror the behavior and expectations of the adults around them!
2. Did my students accomplish the goals that they had set out for themselves?
Revisiting student goals can help you recognize what is working and what is not. Encouraging students to reflect back on their progress since the beginning of the school year also gives them a better understanding of how they can adjust their work habits and behavior in order to be more successful moving forward.
3. What are my personal strengths as an educator? Secretary? School leader?
Identify the strengths that make you a positive contributor to your school! Capitalizing on your strengths will make you more effective with students and staff members.
4. What is my vision for education and am I fulfilling it through my work?
It is important to articulate your vision for a quality education and determine the values and lessons that you want students to learn. Using this vision as your compass, take moments to check back in to determine if you are sticking to your values.
5. Do I love my work?
Working in schools is tiring. Many days are stressful and thankless. Despite this, believing in the work that you are doing and recognizing that you are making a positive difference in the lives of others makes education worthwhile.
Improving school operations, school leadership and classroom instruction requires consistent attention to personal responsibility and an urgency to contribute to your school community. Those who work in schools fully deserve the upcoming break, but it is important to spare a few moments to reflect, recharge and return to school ready to continue serving students.
Town Hall with Chancellor Raises Concern for Student Stress
Rather than applying bandaid fixes to mental health issues, reform must target a primary cause of students stress: the k12 to college pipeline.
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