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The Blog


When Am I Ever Going to Use Math after High School?
What I am realizing now is they are asking this because, as math teachers, we are NOT doing enough to make sure that question is answered BE
William Reed
Mar 3, 20237 min read


Integrating Technology into the Classroom
Integrating technology into the classroom is a great way to engage students and make learning more interactive and interesting. It can also open up new avenues of exploration and collaboration that may not have been possible without technology. By doing so, teachers can create a fun, interactive learning environment that encourages students to think critically, work collaboratively, and learn in new and innovative ways.
Dianne McKinley
Feb 24, 20235 min read


Conflict Resolution Strategies in the Classroom
Conflict resolution is an important skill to teach students. It’s important to teach children how to communicate effectively, how to problem solve, and how to manage their emotions when they have a disagreement. There are many strategies that can help with this. One strategy is to have students brainstorm a list of conflict resolution steps. This can help them become aware of the options they have when they are dealing with a disagreement.
Dianne McKinley
Feb 3, 20235 min read


The Beauty of the Season (and Mathematics)
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William Reed
Jan 25, 20234 min read


Top 5 Books for Curriculum Directors in 2023
Whether you are a Curriculum Director by title or by assignment, an aspiring CD, or someone who just loves learning about curriculum design and development this booklist is for you. Every title on the top 5 books for curriculum directors in 2023 should be on your bookshelf this year.
Dianne McKinley
Jan 25, 20233 min read


Encouraging Lifelong Learning - Employability Skills: Learning Strategies
Employability skills are a set of skills outside of technical or academic competencies that are considered imperative to being a successful employee and team member. In an effort to ensure these skills are integrated into academic settings, the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) has arranged these competencies into four categories: mindsets, work ethic, learning strategies, and social emotional learning.
Tiffany Creager
Jan 4, 20236 min read


Creating a Strong Mentoring Program
As leaders during these difficult times, it can be hard to attract, hire, and retain great teachers. One way to do this is by creating a strong mentoring program at your school.
Teachers want to feel valued, connected, and supported with the difficult work they do every day. Teachers who are new to your school, both new educators and veterans alike, need a high level of support. Providing the right support can ensure that they are successful and remain valuable members
Dianne McKinley
Jan 4, 20233 min read


Employability Skills: Mindset
Employability skills are a set of skills outside of technical or academic competencies that are desired by potential employers and considered imperative to being a successful employee and team member. This set of skills might include things like: communication, teamwork, initiative, problem solving, planning and organizing, self-management, and more. You may have heard them referred to as “soft-skills.”
Tiffany Creager
Dec 9, 20228 min read


Mathematical Structure- Structure and Context over Process and Procedures!
As I observe math classes, I see processes and procedures being taught! This worries me more and more! Please do not get me wrong, processes and procedures are important. However, if the processes and procedures we are teaching are not attached to any structure or context, it is just memorization! I do not know about you, but my memorization skills have their limitations.
William Reed
Dec 9, 20226 min read


How To Get Excited About Teaching (Again)
Many teachers are finding it hard to get excited about teaching these days. There are many reasons for this, but you can bring that excitement back for you and your students!
William Reed
Jul 18, 20225 min read


7 Picture Books to Use with Older Readers
Picture books aren’t just for preschoolers and younger children, readers of all ages enjoy and learn from picture books. I LOVE picture books! They are full of rich language, beautiful illustrations and photographs, and bonus, you can typically read them in one sitting.
April Connelley
Jul 4, 20223 min read


Mentoring to Prevent Burnout- 6 Wellness Strategies to Incorporate Into Your Mentoring Program
As one school year comes to an end, another is soon to begin! First things first, filling vacancies with the hope that the upcoming school year will begin with a full staff. In an effort to create as smooth a transition as possible for students and staff, it is imperative that a plan is in place to support all of the newcomers whether they are fresh out of college or simply transitioning from another district.
Tiffany Creager
Jun 13, 20228 min read


Principals’ End of School Year Checklist
As a school leader, there are many loose ends that you will want to tie up at the end of the school year. This is a great time to pause and reflect on the past year. You will want to review the data you’ve collected on the programs, interventions, and initiatives you’ve implemented. This is a great time to write your strategic plan for next school year complete with your end-of-year data, key milestones, SMART goals, and monthly metrics. Below you will find an easy-to-follow
Dianne McKinley
May 23, 20222 min read


Self-Advocacy for Both Students and Teachers
An invaluable lesson that helps students perform their best is teaching students appropriate self-advocacy. Students who have 504 plans and I.E.P.s need to learn how to appropriately advocate for the accommodation(s) afforded to them in their plan. Regular education students also need to be taught and shown how to appropriately ask for help and assistance as needed. When students learn how to appropriately ask for assistance, they are not only set up for success in the class
Dianne McKinley
May 16, 20225 min read


STEM Professional Teaching Organizations
STEM professional teaching organizations are among the best opportunities teachers have to grow and improve. Administrators and teachers alike should be researching, understanding, and promoting all the benefits STEM professional teaching organizations provide to help promote and improve teaching and learning.
William Reed
Jan 13, 20223 min read


The 411 on the SAT Assessment
The ability to read, write, understand, and use language properly to edit and correct passages are the important aspects of the Writing and Language Test in the Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing section of the SAT Assessment. The Writing and Language Test is one of two parts of the SAT Assessment’s Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing section. The other part is the Reading Test.
William Reed
Jan 13, 202214 min read


The 411 on the IN SAT Assessment
The ability to read for understanding, information, comprehension, and context are the important aspects of the Reading Test in the Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing section of the SAT Assessment. The SAT Assessment’s Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing section is divided into two tests. The Reading Test and the Writing and Language Test.
William Reed
Jan 13, 20228 min read


We are all in this together! Let’s help each other!
They say, “It takes a village to raise a child.” I agree with that and would extend that saying for schools to say; “It takes all the subjects working together to fully educate a student.” Believing this and implementing this is the key. Administrators, teachers, and counselors must step outside their small, very busy spheres of educational influence. They must connect with other teachers in other subjects and collaborate to benefit BOTH their subjects and the students.
William Reed
Jan 13, 20225 min read


Things People Say About Math
Once in a great while, I hear someone say, “I Love Math!” or “I enjoyed my math classes,” and it gives me a warm, comforting feeling inside. Sadly, what I often hear people say is, “I hate Math!” or “I could never do Math!” or “I was never any good at Math.” I attribute much of the disdain for mathematics to the way that math is being taught.
William Reed
Jan 1, 20224 min read


Simple Strategies for Big Worries Supporting Students with Anxiety
Another year of collective and personal loss, another year of quick changes, and increasingly stressed brain states of many of the adults and children we serve have left us all exhausted. While I still believe deeply and strongly that your wellness must remain a top priority, today I want to talk about the kids. They, too, have been on this wild ride of unpredictability, change, and loss.
Emotions are contagious and while our stress levels undoubtedly impact our students,
Tiffany Creager
Dec 6, 20217 min read
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