Preparing students for the end-of-year assessments is a massive endeavor for all educators. Teachers have worked hard all year to arm their students with the skills essential for success, and the final hurdle is right around the corner.  Every year during this time, teachers seek strategies to be the cornerstone of well-balanced review sessions. However, not just any strategies will suffice; teachers want the “biggest bang for their buck.” High-leverage strategies are vital in promoting recall, reinforcing comprehension, and aiding students in making meaningful connections between concep ..read more

Now that the school year has commenced, you may be thinking of ways to improve communication with families in an efficient and proactive way! When and How? Knowing when to communicate with families is key to a strong home/school partnership. In general, it is important to start the school year or semester off with strong communication. Updates and general information can be shared monthly. When addressing performance, you want to do so early. When addressing behaviors it helps to have a relationship that includes positive behavioral contact, as well. There are many methods of communication, an ..read more

To focus our efforts on being an efficient planner, preparing effective lesson plans provide a framework and process for engaging and challenging all students while allowing flexibility to accommodate their unique needs.  “Teachers are expected to assimilate and integrate dozens of individually worthy, yet disparate ideas…These may be fine ideas but without some scheme for putting them together in a meaningful way, they may wind up resembling a complicated (if not expensive) pile of junk” (Goodwin, 2013, p. xvii).  Consensus among educators is that well-thought-out lesson plans are a ..read more

As you begin the new school year, you are likely setting up your classroom, preparing lessons and attending more meetings than you can count! You are also meeting coaches and building support staff, that will help guide your teaching this school year. This blog will help you identify the many coaching roles within a school and ways that you can engage with your coaches, to maximize your support! North Carolina New Teacher Support Program: Our program provides new teachers with support during their first three years in the classroom We provide induction support that is targeted to teacher nee ..read more

Spring is a season of renewal, a chance for growth; the weather grows warmer, the days grow longer, and the flowers grow faster. This time of year also marks an opportunity for teachers and students alike to refresh their mindsets, a chance for a Spring renewal within the classroom.       Image by pch.vector on Freepik To cultivate this renewal, we must promote a growth mindset. Perhaps best illustrated by the allegory presented in this short video.  Imagine two seeds, both planted simultaneously and under the same conditions. One is ready for life above the ..read more

“Reading aloud is important from infancy through the high school years. Families and teachers can create and continue a tradition, introduce and reinforce the pleasures of reading, and, as children get older, set the stage for meaningful conversations about numerous topics” -Derry Koralek March was Read Aloud month and this month’s blog will celebrate and promote the importance of incorporating them into your class, whether you teach preschool or high school. There are many benefits of reading to children at every stage, from early childhood and beyond. Check out the linked resources to learn ..read more

The early winter months of a school year tend to zap the energy out of teachers and students alike. Many school calendars have fewer breaks in the weeks between the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday and Spring Break. It is during this time that we find ourselves settled into a steady routine of planning, instruction, and assessment. While having a routine is fantastic, it can become monotonous which makes this time of year perfect for trying out a new strategy or tech tool with students. Many of our students enjoy lessons that connect to real-world events or topics they know directly impact their ..read more

SNOW HILL, N.C. (WNCT) – Across the country, highly qualified teachers are leaving the classroom. Many of them leave after only a couple years of teaching. “It’s not just here, it’s everywhere, everyone, people, teachers are like ‘ehh, it’s just too hard,’ and yes, it is a hard job, but our babies need us,” said Keiara Morris, Greene County Middle School’s assistant principal. Now, the North Carolina New Teacher Support Program is helping new teachers statewide and several in Eastern North Carolina to stay in the classroom. But where is the shortage coming from? Read The Whole Story The post C ..read more

We have reached that magical time of the year filled with holidays that allow us educators to find some extra time to relax and recharge; and while it is a wonderful time, there is still work to be done each school day. Many of us find ourselves reviewing and preparing students for EOCs or mid-year benchmarks; and with so much to do during this time, there are looming thoughts in the back of every teacher’s mind…what if it snows or what if we shut down for a week due to the flu? Moving our students to a virtual workspace is something that many of us have dealt with in the last couple of years ..read more

Let’s talk about parent-teacher conferences as a tool to build relationships with students and their families. The research is clear: humans are literally “hard-wired” with the desire and need to connect. We are social beings who thrive on healthy relationships. Therefore, the importance of positive relationships in our roles as educators should never be overlooked. Building great relationships with each of your students can have a positive effect on the way you engage in meaningful conversations with their parents and family members.  The more you know about individual students’ levels o ..read more