“Teacher Induction That Works: A Lasting Impact from Day One” by Tara Link and Beth Whitaker is for anyone involved in setting up or improving a mentoring program. Instructional coach Kathee Lamberies finds the book practical, engaging, and full of actionable ideas.
Creating a well-rounded middle school student goes way beyond the textbook! Anne Jolly shares the core learning skills and life skills middle-schoolers need and invites teachers – especially STEM teachers – to take up the challenge to help students achieve their potential.
It’s easy to keep busy in just about any job, writes former principal Matt Renwick, now a regional systems coach. What’s difficult to discern is what we should be focused on in this moment. See how Renwick is using what he calls “productive presence” to stay organized and aware.
AI should be more than a tool; it could be a true creative partner and not a crutch. It is our job to get our students to that point. Practice at choosing the best words for prompts, refining those prompts, and evaluating and adjusting the responses can help get them there.
If you teach students from immigrant families, EL teacher Dina Strasser is offering her list of “what can I do?” actions to prepare and support them. How you honor your duty of care depends on your students’ needs, your district’s policies and resources, and your political environment.
Teacher Michelle Russell likes to have some short activities on hand, in case she needs to fill extra time during math class. Here she shares several fun fillers that are easy to access, don’t require prep, and increase students’ math fluency, logic skills, or number sense.
Project-based learning’s mischievous sibling, problem-based learning, is once again gaining traction in the educational sphere. Kim Rensch, a district gifted services leader, likes that Todd Stanley’s book goes deep into assessment after a thorough look at inquiry learning.
Artificial Intelligence / Artificial Intelligence / New Teacher Tips / Technology
by Curtis Chandler · Published 04/15/2025 · Last modified 05/01/2025
Just like Top Gun Maverick had to trust his jet’s tech while employing his instincts and training, teachers are learning how to fly with AI as a co-pilot. The responsibility lies with us to adjust AI’s suggestions. Curtis Chandler offers dozens of teacher-tested prompts to get started.
When you need a bit of inspiration in your teaching life, Stephanie Farley encourages you to watch some or all of School of Rock. Perhaps, like her, you’ll find yourself wondering how you can create a project similar to “rock band” in your own classroom for a little while!
Instead of letting students take a nosedive into mindless games on screens when you have extra minutes at the end of the class, entice your learners with brain boosters that have them wanting to return for more. Sharon Ratliff shares several favorites with tips and examples.
