The Blog

Inclusivity in education is not just a buzzword; it's a fundamental commitment to providing every student with an equitable learning experience. Educational leaders play a pivotal role in cultivating inclusive learning environments that nurture diversity, empower all students, and foster a sense of belonging. In this blog, we will explore the importance of inclusivity in education and provide best practices for educational leaders to create truly inclusive learning environmen

Too many times we assume students know or have experienced things that they have either forgotten or never been exposed to. Every year in the classroom, instead of going over the traditional classroom rules and policies I would do two things.

Lately, there has been a big push for early foundational reading skills. I love all the attention the early grades are getting. Nothing is more important than setting kids up for success in the early grades. However, that doesn’t leave much time and attention for the next level. 

Through the activities below we’ll learn how to reconnect to ourselves and how to guide organizations to do the same. Whether you are seeking connection to self or leading a team who could benefit from a unified purpose, please read on to learn how to identify our own values, how to collaboratively operationalize an organization’s values, and how these activities might empower us. As a special addition for my educators and parents out there, I’ve also included some tips for w

Language is a complex system of intricate connections between words and meanings. It is complex code used to communicate. Morphology is the foundation and framework of English spelling (Hegland, 2021) and contributes to the overall sense of a word. Morphology is the study of morphemes. Morphemes are the smallest meaningful unit of language (Hegland, 2021). Morphemes can be standalone words, like “book”, called free morphemes, or they can be parts of words like prefixes, suffi

Principals play a pivotal role in supporting their teachers during this critical time, preventing burnout, and fostering a strong sense of teamwork. In this blog, we will explore several strategies principals can employ in December to connect with their teachers and create a sense of unity.

Educational Changes Educators are transitioning from the old 2020 Indiana Academic Standards to the new 2023 Indiana Academic Standards. At the secondary level, we are transitioning from the old online/paper-pencil PSAT and SAT Assessments to the new Digital PSAT and SAT Assessments. In grades 3 through 8, there is one more year of the current ILEARN Assessment then there will be two years transitioning to the new ILEARN Assessment which include “Checkpoint” (the new benchma

In the fast-paced and ever-evolving landscape of the world, leaders play a pivotal role in steering their organizations toward success. Beyond traditional metrics of profitability and growth, there is a growing awareness of the importance of organizational wellness. Just as individual well-being is crucial for personal success, a healthy organizational environment is vital for sustained prosperity. In this blog, we will explore the concept of organizational wellness and del

In the world of education, the well-being and motivation of teachers and staff play a crucial role in the overall success of our schools. A positive and supportive atmosphere can significantly impact the quality of education and the happiness of educators. It’s no secret that motivated and appreciated teachers are more likely to go the extra mile to create a thriving learning environment for their students. That’s why, at INcompassing Education, we are thrilled to introduce o

One of the most critical aspects of a successful education system is ensuring that students attend school regularly. Improved student attendance leads to better academic outcomes and overall student well-being. However, in recent years, absenteeism has been on the rise, posing a significant challenge to both school leaders and teachers. This blog will delve into the causes of increased absenteeism and provide practical strategies for school leaders and teachers to address thi

Teachers and students alike often name the time set aside for reading aloud as their favorite time of the school day! There are so many reasons why a powerful read-aloud is so important in classrooms of any age group. Reading aloud to students exposes readers to authentic text representing a diverse range of authors and text types while building students’ knowledge about a topic of study. Reading aloud builds language and vocabulary, sparks curiosity, and provides opportuniti

Working closely with students who have endured trauma can have a profound impact on the mental and physical health of educators. This type of work can lead to secondary traumatic stress, empathic distress, and even burnout. Recognizing and addressing this impact while integrating supportive strategies into the workplace is not only crucial for the well-being of these dedicated professionals but also for boosting morale, increasing job satisfaction, and ultimately enhancing pr

Lesson plans can be short and easy just the essentials that are required for the lesson to be successful. The lesson plans I created when I was a new teacher were much different from the lesson plans that I created in my 20th year in the classroom. My lesson plans in my 20th year were different from the lesson plans I created in my 30th year in the classroom. Lesson plans change and evolve throughout your teaching career, yet there are always the essential “must haves” that s

Sometimes things can seem overwhelming so we avoid them. For example, my hall closet was a mess and I was desperate, so desperate I offered money to my teenagers to work on it. It’s the catch-all closet, the place where we shove stuff and then forget about it. Needless to say, that didn’t work, my teenagers wouldn’t take the bait, so eventually, after saying for several months I needed to clean it, I finally just did it. When it comes to hall closets, that’s okay, no harm, bu

What is a trauma-informed school? It is a setting where trauma is understood, recognized, and responded to in ways that empower those who are affected. The goal of trauma-informed schools is to put in place supports that help children cope. Read this article to learn more.

Over the past few years, I’ve heard the same question come up over and over – “how do we help our middle and high school students self-regulate?” It begins with understanding! Whether we reflect on our own experiences, have adolescents in our home, or work with students who are between the ages of 11 and early 20s, we understand that there are some significant shifts in behavior and functioning during this time! Students are seeking to understand themselves and how they fit i

We all know that teaching is a profession that truly is a calling. Teachers who stay in the profession for a long-time care deeply about the students and the subject they are teaching. I know, I was in the classroom for over 33 years. We also know that the demands on teachers have increased greatly over recent years. Here in Indiana, this year is especially hard on teachers with a completely new set of academic standards that were adopted in June. There are new high-sta

You probably have heard the PSAT and SAT are changing for the 2023-2024 school year. The New Digital SAT Suite of Assessments includes the SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT10, and the PSAT 8/9. The changes will start early this fall with the new Digital PSAT10 and Digital PSAT/NMSQT. It will continue in the Spring of 2024 when all Indiana juniors will take the new Digital SAT. Everyone needs to know about and understand the changes that will be taking place. If they do, they can help stu

Teacher recruitment refers to the process of attracting, selecting, and appointing qualified individuals to work as teachers in educational institutions. It is an essential aspect of maintaining a strong and competent teaching workforce. Teacher recruitment involves various strategies and activities aimed at identifying potential candidates, assessing their qualifications and suitability for teaching positions, and ultimately hiring them to fill vacant teaching positions.

Writing skills refer to the ability to express thoughts, ideas, and information effectively through written language. This includes the ability to organize ideas, use proper grammar and punctuation, and tailor writing to a specific audience or purpose. Read this article to learn more on how to improve students’ writing skills.