Feb 06 New Hampshire teacher notices ‘the buzz isn’t there’ this year By Scott Thompson Scott Thompson teaches social studies at Manchester High School West in New Hampshire and reflects on the current primary season and his students, who like much of the adult electorate, show a mixed interest in politics. Continue reading
Jan 29 How Donald Trump made my students take politics more seriously By Anne La Pietra Anne La Pietra teaches government at Urbandale High School in Iowa and discusses what it's like to go "first," how Donald Trump has made her students more politically-engaged than ever before. Continue reading
Jan 27 Space geek teacher remembers Challenger disaster By Michael Wilkinson For 29 years, fifth-grade teacher Michael Wilkinson has used space exploration to teach his students about math, science and the power of imagination. He shares his memories of the Challenger space shuttle disaster and why he never gave up on… Continue reading
Jan 14 Detroit teacher: ‘How can you teach or learn in conditions like these?’ By Lakia Wilson More than 60 schools in Detroit closed earlier this week after teachers called in sick in protest of rodent and mold problems. Continue reading
Dec 23 Don’t ignore economic inequality at schools, especially during the holidays By Paul Chylinski From the time students start kindergarten, they learn about the importance of being kind and generous toward others. But what happens to young people's understanding of that message around the holidays, when the excitement of receiving shiny gifts overtakes the season? What… Continue reading
Dec 09 This holiday, talking about religion in the classroom is more important than ever By Syd Golston Tree in the classroom? Yes. Crèche beneath it? No. It’s called “the December Dilemma.” As the winter holidays approach, schools are aware that the issue of separating church and state is not just something students encounter in social studies classes,… Continue reading
Dec 04 When did it become a teacher’s job to stop a bullet for your child? By Charlie Gaare Charlie Gaare is a high school English teacher in Denver and wrote down her thoughts on how gun violence has affected her life as a teacher. Continue reading
Nov 18 Paris teacher: I taught class Monday in defiance of terror By Michael Kopp Michael Kopp is an Upper School Social Studies at the American School of Paris. Despite difficulty in not having answers to his students’ questions about Friday’s attacks, he and his colleagues had a job to do Monday morning: teach children. Continue reading
Nov 17 Paris headmaster on outpouring of support: ‘we know we are not alone’ By Nicholas Hammond Editor’s Note: The Paris terrorist attacks on Nov. 13 stunned the city and the world. As is often the case after traumatic events, schools have a unique and important responsibility in helping students understand and cope with tragedy. Nicholas Hammond… Continue reading
Nov 11 Being a Vietnam vet and a teacher helped me confront my own prejudices By Durward Azbell Durward Azbell served as a Specialist E-5 in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War before he became an elementary schoolteacher in Columbus, Ohio. Continue reading