Building Community: One at a Time
Yesterday a local farmer stopped me. “COLLEEEEEENNNN” his voice boomed from his truck across the yard, “I GOT A QUESTION FOR YA’, are teachers still gettin’ their full salary?” With schools still shuttered, students and teachers working from home, the budget vote just behind us, and mail-in ballots still waiting to be counted, this taxpayer…
Embracing the social in Social Distancing
It’s the first day of summer! This is the time of year children look forward to all year long; however, due to the COVID -19 pandemic, this year may not be what children imagined. Instead of playing Tag, Musical Chairs, or Red Rover, children are now being forced to play Simon Says… and Simon says:…
Support for National Board Certified Teachers approved in 30 states
ARLINGTON, VA — June 18, 2020 — In 2019 and 2020, 15 states have advanced policies to support and incentivize teachers to become National Board certified, the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards announced today. With these new mandates in place, 30 states now have policies that encourage teachers to pursue National Board certification, and…
Prioritizing Self Care in Times of Crises
Co-authored by Tonia Holmes-Sutton, Ed.D., NBCT & Brittany Holmes-Sutton It has been nearly three months since schools closed. The shutdown impacted education in unanticipated ways as schools transitioned to distance learning overnight – with many teachers unprepared to engage and teach their students through digital platforms. The digital divide made visible inequities that persisted prior…
Being a Black teacher in America today
I am a Black woman in America. I am a Board-Certified teacher in America. I am fighting for America. Like many Black Americans, I have experienced racism my entire life. I have been followed while casually browsing in stores. My brothers have been thrown to the ground by police and by white neighbors. I have…
When Human Life is Quiet, We Can Hear What’s Important
I listen to NPR frequently in the mornings (self-confession of a middle-aged woman). One story in particular this week pointed out something I have been noticing lately—it sounds like my neighborhood birds have multiplied and found microphones. During the past eight (gulp) weeks of hunkering down at home, the songbirds in my small Massachusetts town…
Facebook and National Board Webinar on Digital Wellbeing
The disruption of traditional learning environments has had an instant impact on students, parents, and teachers. In support of mental health awareness month and in partnership with Facebook, the National Board held a live panel on May 20 to provide Tools to Help Students Manage Their Digital Wellbeing. This webinar was part of the National…
Growing Your Own Practice & Putting Students First
I think most educators have a natural inclination to grow our own practice. We have the inner drive to learn more and become better at our craft. It is easy to lose that drive, however. In current times of high stakes testing teachers face the pressure for kids to look good on paper, which in…
8 Leadership Moves From Women We Can Learn From the Covid Crisis
During times of crisis, there’s always a lesson-in-motion in leadership—a real-time case study, as we watch who steps up to support others, who steps in to the hard work, or who steps away from the challenge. I’ve been observing and learning from some dynamic women during the pandemic. If there is a silver lining to…
Finding Meaning in Challenging Times
In times of crisis, humans seek meaning. The ripple effects from the COVID-19 pandemic shook my existence. In the blink of an eye, my school was closed. My colleagues were distanced. My materials and resources were across town. My students were out of reach. I was disoriented and disconnected. I went in search of answers.…
