Teacher Talk
Teachers vs. Tech: Putting an Old Adversary to Good Use
By: Dr. Jerri Ward-Jackson | Aug 9, 2023
Since the first clunky cell phone rang in a silent classroom, technology’s place in education has been hotly debated. Does its potential for good outweigh its potential for disruption? Do kids need more screen time than they already get at home? Is educational technology actually beneficial or is it just a dazzling, counterproductive novelty?
To Dr. Jerri Ward-Jackson of the University of West Alabama’s College of ...
3 Questions to Tackle when Growing and Developing Professionally
By: Jon Konen | Feb 12, 2018
In many educational job interviews, a common question asked is “why be in education?” Many teacher candidates respond with the proverbial creation of “life-long learners.” Yes, we want our students to yearn for more education and to take charge of this endeavor themselves. Then, we celebrate and showcase their learning.
In ...
5 Questions to Improve the Participation in the Professional Community
By: Jon Konen | Feb 12, 2018
“Step up and lean in,” is a common leadership adage that can be heard resonating across school districts in America. This aphorism has a strong nonverbal insinuation that literally means, volunteer and take part when there are leadership opportunities. Leadership directly affects the professional community. Some leaders raise and cultivate ...
What About the Teacher’s Safety?
By: Mary McLaughlin | Feb 9, 2018
Back in the stone ages when I was in elementary school, we had no Special Needs students in our school, so I was completely unaware of the fact that kids were not all the same apart from skin color and/or national heritage.
Where were they?
The district in which I grew up ...
6 Questions to Tackle When Communicating with Families
By: Jon Konen | Feb 9, 2018
Who are the greatest teacher partners in education….PARENTS! Some educators may not agree, but the exemplary teachers understand that we are only with students for roughly 1,000 hours each school year. Parents or guardians are with students the other 7,500 hours a year. That is roughly 7.5 times more with ...
5 Questions to Tackle When Maintaining Accurate Records
By: Jon Konen | Jan 28, 2018
Accountability has become synonymous with many four-letter words, as well as it being immediately associated with a negative connotation whenever it is used. Educators do not shy away from the concept, but feel a need to be at the proverbial “table” when establishing the expectations, routines, and procedures that will ...
5 Questions to Tackle When Reflecting on Teaching
By: Jon Konen | Jan 19, 2018
“May the Force be with you!”
Almost as commanding as the force, do you use the power of reflective thinking? The ability to reflect effectively can help a teacher both personally and professionally.
One of the most underutilized tools educators use is the ability to reflect. Whether reflection is seen as too ...
6 Questions to Tackle When Demonstrating Flexibility and Responsiveness in the Classroom
By: Jon Konen | Jan 19, 2018
A teaching lesson bombs...in fact, about 15 minutes into the lesson you realize the students are not engaged or even looking your direction. What do you do? Some teachers may plow through the lesson and have the attitude, “I taught it, so they should know it!” Responsive teachers are not ...
6 Questions to Tackle in Using Assessment in Instruction
By: Jon Konen | Dec 23, 2017
The amount of hours we currently assess our students is under fire…and rightly so! The plethora of assessments ranging from state, district, and even school testing requires our students to show what they know more than ever. Accountability is the name of the game. Some states test over 30 hours ...
6 Questions to Tackle When Engaging Students in Learning
By: Jon Konen | Dec 18, 2017
Argumentatively the most important aspect of teaching today: keeping students in engaged. Others would argue that classroom management is the ticket, while myself and others would state, “If you have effective engagement strategies, you do not have classroom management or discipline problems.” It is true, effective instruction can cure a ...
5 Questions to Tackle in Using Questioning and Discussion Techniques
By: Jon Konen | Dec 17, 2017
No will argue that questioning and discussion drive instruction. They are instructional strategies that should be in every lesson. Yet, it is a component that most teachers do not spend much time perfecting. If you ask a teacher if they remember the questions they asked in a lesson in a ...