Dr. M, Executive Function Coach and English Tutor

@K80Uva @jackiantonovich Yes! I use a Think-Pair-Share approach first, then I call the whole class back and ask, “Who can tell us something insightful that your partner said?” Students volunteer someone else’s ideas, which validates listening and collaboration, not individualism and competition.

We are just weeks away from Artemis II, where we will send astronauts around the Moon—farther than any crew has traveled before. The mission’s press kit is now available! Check it out: go.nasa.gov/4jGIlL4

Thinking about Pope Francis and his Letter on the Role of Literature in Formation:

MEDIA BIAS CHART 12.0!!! 😍 FREE download: adfontesmedia.com/media-bias-cha… The latest flagship Static #MediaBiasChart is here just in time for a new election cycle and the new year. Know the reliability and bias of your news and "news-like" sources to be an informed voter.

Congratulations to Fr. Greg Boyle, SJ, a wonderful Jesuit priest and founder of @HomeboyInd, who has just been named a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. Richly deserved for a lifetime of selfless service. AMDG. @FrGregBoyle whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/…

NEWS Bronx medical school, the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, is now tuition-free thanks to a $1 billion gift from Dr. Ruth Gottesman, a former professor. Gottesman, whose late husband was an early investor with Warren Buffett, has made it a condition of the gift that the college NOT change its name—an unusual requirement in a world where much smaller gifts often come with the requirement that the colleges be named after the donor. Most students at the Einstein College of Medicine graduate with $200,000 in debt; they will now be free of that burden. nytimes.com/2024/02/26/nyr…

Interesting mix of praise, criticism, and trepidation from different parties. Who will be impacted the most? How do you measure success of “school safety”? What will schools choose to use funds towards?

Update on School Resource Officers in Chicago Public Schools

This, and other news, from today’s Chicago City Council meeting. @CTULocal1

@theDRAMAgoat1 Ask parents, “What is one topic that your child can talk endlessly about?” It gives insight into the learner’s personality and passions, which is useful for casual conversation and application to the course of study. I am almost always surprised with parents’ responses!

I've got Parent Teacher Conferences coming up Thursday and I'm not nervous about meeting parents but it's all parents of kids who have a high A and don't cause an issue in class. How do I fill 10 minutes?

@JessicaLyleEd @TeachMrReed Yes to this, and I would add: ask the student what grade they believe they earned in the course. Have them support their answer by citing examples of their work that approaches, meets, or exceeds the standards. Conversations are usually insightful and productive!

@TeachMrReed I would consider switching to standards-based reporting and throw out percentages. This notion of percentages assumes the assessments and assessors are perfect. Progress/proficiency toward a standard eliminates this entire exchange and measures actual knowledge gained.

If a student in an English class is 1 percent away from passing the class with just one more essay due, do you: 1. Pass them if their work is “decent.” 2. Teach them the lesson of not being so close to the edge. FAIL. 3. Give opportunities for extra credit? 4. Something else?

@JayWamsted On the other hand, I lament that in education, the only way to be 'promoted' is often to leave the classroom. Some can't wait to get through minimal teaching years for a quick promotion, while others of us don't want to stop teaching so are trapped under the classroom ceiling.

Here is s fantastic thread of sources for AP Language students to practice the skill of synthesis and thesis writing on a topic sure to spark conversation: gas vs electric vehicles and the environmental impacts of each.

Responding with “thoughts and prayers” in the face of perpetual gun violence while we do nothing to prevent it only reveals that we are not actually thinking or praying. Authentic thinking and praying never leads to apathy in the face of injustice. It is spiritualizing apathy.

Here’s the Chest X-Ray of a young girl suffering from a condition that is now the #1 cause of death in children and adolescents in the U.S. What’s the diagnosis?

Today the 41st school shooting of 2022 took place at Ingraham High School, @SeaPubSchools, when 1 person was shot and sustained life-threatening injuries. We continue to advocate to #StopGunViolence in our schools, places where all children have the right to feel safe.

Last August ('21) I posted a Better-Building question for each day of the month. Better begins with a question. Still asking the same questions. Still--ever--chasing better. #Project180

This! And the fact that pursuing an advanced degree is cost- and time-prohibitive, especially for women who make up a majority of the teaching force, systematically keeps experienced classroom educators out of positions of leadership in schools.

I can’t stop thinking about the impact of calling only some kids in our schools gifted.

We are pleased to introduce our new Social Justice Educator Fund! Awards range from $500 to $25,000 in support of projects designed to create systemic change in school and district communities. Applications are now open! Learn more here. learningforjustice.org/magazine/annou…

One of the clearest signs of learning is rethinking your assumptions and revising your opinions. 21 things I rethought in 2021: a thread...

As the Operations Assistant at Educator Forever, I managed a year-long 2nd grade Math curriculum development project. Thanks to @educatorlily for my first flexible education job. I’m happy to have been a part of this teacher-empowering company’s growth! educatorforever.com/blog/education…