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The Blog


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


Building Empathy in the Classroom
We are living through an incredible time of physical and emotional disconnection. Despite technological advances created to keep us connected, we seem to be moving in the opposite direction. We’ve seen it happening for years as smartphones become the focus at dinners, video games trump family game nights, texting takes the place of phone calls, and emojis replace the use of words.
Tiffany Creager
Feb 12, 20217 min read


Value-Based Living, Working, and Leading - Swapping Resolutions for Reflection in the New Year
As most of us learned in the past year, we can’t predict what will happen next and when we feel out of control or faced with a lot of new, potentially frightening, things all at once it is easy to get overwhelmed, burnt out, and disconnected. Perhaps, if we spend time looking inward rather than out for answers, we might find ourselves better equipped to grow through the tough times without losing ourselves. I believe this might be true for individuals, organizations, and ev
Tiffany Creager
Jan 15, 20218 min read


Top Websites and Online Resources for Educators in 2021
Educators, do you want to be in the know? Here are some great Indiana education resources and very brief Indiana political resources that you can subscribe to and get the latest information to keep you in the know in under 15 minutes!
William Reed
Jan 13, 20212 min read


School Turnaround
School turnaround is an intervention directed toward a low-performing school that delivers considerable gains in achievement, and readies that school for the process of transformation into a high-performing institution. It refers to the efforts being made by districts and states to improve student outcomes, build capacity, and sustain reforms. Professional development for teachers can help in this regard.
Dianne McKinley
Nov 4, 20203 min read


Professional Development for Teachers
Professional development for teachers – why is it important? Education is a never-ending process, not only for students, but for teachers as well. It can’t be stressed enough how vital teachers are in shaping the future of the next generation when it comes to knowledge, philosophies, and values. If you’re a teacher, keep in mind that your students are the next breed of leaders, inventors, doctors, lawyers, engineers, artists, and entrepreneurs.
Dianne McKinley
Nov 4, 20204 min read


What Is Rigor?
What is rigor? In education, rigor refers to instruction, schoolwork, and learning experiences that are academically and intellectually stimulating. It applies to lessons that encourage students to think deeply, rather than to lessons that just demand memorization or information recall. For example, a fill-in-the-blank worksheet wouldn’t be considered rigorous by most teachers.
Dianne McKinley
Nov 4, 20203 min read


Professional Development – Mentoring Teachers in Schools
Experienced educators use teacher mentoring programs to provide knowledge, support, advice, and reinforcement. More importantly, educational consulting can contribute in enhancing the work, skills, career, and professional development of teachers.
Dianne McKinley
Nov 4, 20202 min read


Lesson Planning – How to Create an Effective Lesson Plan
A lesson plan is a teacher’s guide for running a specific lesson. It includes the goal (what students are supposed to learn), the method how the goal will be reached, and measuring how well the goal was achieved (exit ticket, test, homework, etc.).
Lesson planning is a vital component of the teaching process. It keeps teachers organized and on track, allowing them to teach more effectively. As a result, students reach objectives more easily
Dianne McKinley
Nov 4, 20203 min read


PBIS – Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
What is Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports? Also known as PBIS, it is a program that schools use to improve student behavior. It integrates classroom management, school-wide discipline strategies, and effective academic instruction to create a positive school environment for students. PBIS is one of the areas covered by professional development in education.
Dianne McKinley
Nov 4, 20203 min read


Top 6 Books for Teachers in 2021
What we learned in 2020 was that there are many new aspects of learning to address. We have done research on the leaders in these areas and put together a book list to help you get a grasp on the new trends in education. Introducing our list of the 6 best books for teachers 2021.
Dianne McKinley
Nov 3, 20207 min read


The Best Way to Teach Struggling Readers
If you are an educator or parent, then you have likely spent some time thinking about the best ways to teach children to read. If you are a parent or educator with a struggling reader, you have probably agonized over how to help that child. Reading Simplified has determined how to teach struggling readers of any age.
Dianne McKinley
Jul 9, 20204 min read


Your Strategic Planning as a School Leader
When it comes to being a school leader, there are many issues that need to be addressed. Strategic planning as a school leader does not just consider studies and preparing children for possible futures but also working to develop pathways to reach an envisioned future. This means challenging students to think for themselves as well as developing core values and beliefs.
Dianne McKinley
Jul 6, 20193 min read


Why Is It Important to Use Data in Your Classroom?
Data is important, and it is everywhere. Teachers collect all sorts of information about students. These data can inform and influence teachers how to teach, what to review, and what to adjust. Yet, some teachers may still not be aware of how to get data and how to use it. In this article, we will answer these questions: Where can you find data? And why is it important to use data in your classroom?
Dianne McKinley
May 6, 20193 min read


Why Does the US Use Standardized Testing?
Standardized testing has fueled a national debate in the last few decades. Some argue that standardized tests narrow the curriculum and encourage teacher-centered instruction. Many parents also don’t feel comfortable with the fact that their children are being judged on the basis of tests that puts too much emphasis on test scores, and too little on personal background, innovation, and critical thinking. In this post, we will answer the question, “Why does the United States u
William Reed
Apr 8, 20194 min read


The 10 Best Education Books to Read in 2019
Teaching is a challenging job. Even before entering the classroom, teachers have to prepare schedules, lesson plans, and homework. They experience a mixed bag of feelings throughout their career: disappointment, frustration, joy, love, and triumph. Fortunately, there are books that provide real stories, tips, and motivation that will make teaching easier and more effective. The following is a list of the 10 best education books to read in 2019.
Dianne McKinley
Jan 2, 20195 min read


What is PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports)?
Many schools across the US are finding it hard to deal with student misbehavior. And usually, students are punished for not knowing how to behave rather than being taught appropriate behavior. The objective of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is teaching positive behavior. You may be asking, “What is PBIS?” This article will answer that question.
Dianne McKinley
Nov 5, 20184 min read
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