Lead Lit Topic: Professional Development Tools
Whether you’re looking for something as simple as the perfect icebreaker, or a plan for a full-day in-service session for 100 teachers at many grade levels, this is where we share our tried and trusted tips for successful professional development sessions.
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Using Picture Books to Launch Professional Learning Sessions
I have always been a voracious reader. Books were my friends in childhood (Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume), my therapists in my adult years (Separation...
Rethinking Flow in the ELA Classroom
My superpower in junior high school was reading. I couldn’t keep track of my assignments. Homework was a nightly battle. But if you gave me a book I wanted to...
Design for the Edges: Strategies for Supporting Unique Readers and Writers
One of the symptoms of my ADHD could be described as “promiscuous reading”: jumping around from one half-read book to the next. For example, I started the novella Mapping the...
Professional Math Resources for Right Now
My student teacher from last year sent a text this summer asking me, “Do you have any good recommendations for math professional development books that I should put on my...
Art as a Restorative Teaching Practice
Art has always been a way for me to express myself. I’m not the best artist, but I enjoy doodling, drawing, and making things with my hands. As a young...
The Tension of Perfect Conventions
“My key takeaway is that we are going to continue to celebrate mediocrity in student writing.” This was declared as a bold proclamation during a workshop I led about using...
Scaffolding: The Key to Tackling Big Projects
In the heart of my house stands a two-story staircase open from the floor of the bottom level to the ceiling of the second. The wallpaper is dated and faded,...
It’s All in the Delivery: Inviting Joy to (Mandatory) Professional Learning” by Mary Brower
The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated. —William James Ms. Joy, a veteran teacher with two decades of classroom experience, closed her eyes for a...
Are Norms the Problem? Part 1
When I became the leader of a well-established professional learning network, one of the first things I was curious about were our norms for working together. I was a member...
Multiplier Mindset
"Managers help people see themselves as they are; Leaders help people to see themselves better than they are." ~ Jim Rohn Many of us have a person in our lives...
Lifting Teachers by Lifting a Teacher
Moving in and out of classrooms all day brings a wide perspective on school culture. I get to experience teachers growing the minds of their students firsthand. Their craft as...
Engaging from the Start: Considering Accessible Professional Development Experiences for a Range of Educators
Accessibility allows us to tap into everyone’s potential. —Deborah Ruh "B doesn’t belong because it is the only blue shape." "C doesn’t belong because it is the only shape that...
Misreading Body Language
While facilitating a conversation with school administrators about next steps with their district’s professional learning plan, I kept catching one of the school leaders smiling as we talked. This smile...
Make and Take…With a Twist: Incorporating Research and Play with Preparing Materials
“Check this out!” my son excitedly shared with me after school one day. “My friend taught me how to shoot a basketball today during recess.” He proceeded to jump off...
PL…See? Lightening Up PLCs to Increase Engagement
When you mention an upcoming PLC meeting to your staff, what reaction do you receive? Is it eye-rolling, a slight sigh, or an aggressive grunt? If you are met with...
Bridging the Gap (Session 1): The Sold a Story Peel
Finally, it was Christmas break. My son was graduating from high school in just a few months, and this was my chance to have a good chunk of time to...
Building Teacher Confidence, Building Leaders: The Power of Observation
Believe you can and you’re halfway there. —Theodore Roosevelt Confidence is a necessary part of our profession. Let’s face it: When we are in front of multiple groups of dynamic...
Navigating the Science of Reading: How to Hold a Professional Conversation About Teaching Readers
A popular and contentious topic in education is the science of reading. It’s hard to miss the stress-inducing debates about the best way to teach readers. It is healthy to...
Six Journaling Ideas for Teacher Self-Care
About 10 years ago I began writing and journaling. I found that not only did my teaching of writing improve but so did my personal well-being. My notebook became my...
Picture It: Pebbles in Our Shoes
Sometimes there is tension during professional learning sessions. This is particularly true for school-wide sessions that are developed to propel change. It isn't a surprise that change is met with...
Uplifting Students’ “Ordinary” Stories with Mentor Texts
As I scroll through social media at the end of each summer, I see pictures of friends in beautiful places—European landmarks, families in a glee-filled heap in front of...
