Updates

The unpredictability of COVID-19 means that while many districts have returned to full in-person learning, many also have retained either a fully remote or hybrid learning schedule. Still others returned to in-person learning and then had to pivot to remote learning due to positive cases in the building, and then pivot back again.

Distance and hybrid models have become the new way of schooling, and they’re not exactly ideal. Hands-on and differentiated learning can be limited. Figuring out ways to maintain consistency, structure, and collaboration has been challenging. Yet our focus on student success has remained stable.

Path to Progress – Moving beyond compliance a virtual event

Never before has the profession of teaching been more taxing. During this global pandemic, teachers are asked to come to their job each day ready to work, create engaging lessons, and maintain their own mental health and that of their students. In addition, they’re asked to toggle between face-to-face and online learning environments, often at a moment’s notice.

Let’s face it: pandemic learning is stressful and exhausting. There is truly no getting away from the fact that trying to engage in any activity that requires maximum brain activity (ahem: teaching and learning) is extra hard while we are trying to survive any kind of trauma. So it is imperative that we come up with ways to lighten our mental load in order to survive, much less thrive.

Positive student-teacher relationships increase both academic engagement and prosocial behavior at all levels of schooling. Teachers who offer individual students and entire classes the “educational friendship” of respect, appreciation and good old benefit of the doubt fundamentally alter experiences of schooling for the better. But what about teacher-to-teacher friendships? Are those just a nice bonus when they materialize, or does a warm, collaborative professional environment make a significant difference?

This year we are making sure to celebrate Black History Month every single day in February. We want to spotlight a history maker per day with an opportunity to honor these great individuals by learning more about their lives and their contributions.

With millions of kids still learning remotely, the learning losses are piling up. Some school districts are reporting a higher level of failing grades this fall. A report from the consultant McKinsey & Company estimated that students were three months behind in math when they started the school year. And another study said learning losses were minimal, but left out many students from the analysis.

An extensive and more “permanent” tutoring system is emerging as a leading and equity-based solution for U.S. schools attempting to help students recover from COVID learning loss. Equal-access tutoring — which “is among the most effective education interventions ever studied” — can be scaled nationally, say associate professor Matthew A. Kraft and research program associate Grace T. Falken, both from Brown University, in a new working paper.

So many free resources and webinars this week for educators — this is a must “check and see”! You will definitely find a resource that meets your needs. Discussing Race in Pk-12 Classrooms, Joyful Reading at School and at Home, The 2020 Youth Transition Report and MUCH MORE.