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 ...
When Special Educators Find New Jobs
By: Mary McLaughlin | Aug 1, 2018
The Builders Tried To Build
My parents were born in the 1930’s. They are stereotypical of the Builder Generation in every aspect of their being.
They are hard workers.
They saved a lot of money from their middle class working years to enjoy a lovely retirement. They held their family to a high ...
Why Are There So Many More Kids With Special Needs Today Than When I Was a Kid?
By: Mary McLaughlin | Jul 16, 2018
Fair question, right? Easy answer? Sort of. Not really but kind of… biology and medical technology.
What You Don’t Expect When You’re Expecting
My best friend Lisa and her husband Jeff have been married about 12 years. When they discovered Lisa was pregnant, they were not yet married but decided to do what they’d ...
Why Public Education? … This Independence Day We Take A Look at How Public Schools Strengthen Society by Strengthening Individuals
By: Jon Konen | Jul 2, 2018
*Posted with permission.
Here is a math equation we can stand behind…
Compassionate Community Support + Strong Public Education = Solid Foundation to our Society
Our forefathers created a feeling of nationalism by bringing people together from diverse backgrounds, religions, and areas of the world. The idea of freedom was prevalent among ...
Labels in Special Education: Are They a Suggestion… or a Life Sentence?
By: Mary McLaughlin | Jun 6, 2018
We live in a post-modern society where labels are kind of our thing. We’re trying to move away from pigeon-holing, stereotyping, or classifying people, but, in my opinion, in our attempt to NOT label people, we are doing exactly that.
Who Am I?
I am a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a ...
The “Not-So Dreaded” End of the Year Evaluation: 3 Reasons Why Principals Should Celebrate You!
By: Jon Konen | May 22, 2018
How many teachers actually look forward to sitting down with their boss to review their performance?
Evaluations at the end of the year may be dreaded by some teachers. As a principal, I have been on both sides of this conversation. Let’s back up, there is something wildly wrong with the ...
5 Reasons All Educators Should Be Recruiting the Next Crop of Teachers
By: Jon Konen | May 17, 2018
I recently watched a presentation in my own school where the students were signing for their Spring Music Concert. One of the songs they chose was Hall of Fameby the band, The Script. The lyrics in the song are powerful as they pronounce what profession they are going to be,
“Be ...
7 Strategies to Combat Community Opposition to Public Schools
By: Jon Konen | May 7, 2018
It is not a secret that our public schools are under more scrutiny and they are held to higher levels of accountability than ever before. I would like to believe public educators are not afraid of accountability. We believe in setting standards and expectations for all students and all staff ...
When Special Education Students Die: How It’s Affected Me and How I’m Coping
By: Mary McLaughlin | May 2, 2018
It was a quiet Sunday afternoon here in N.E. Arkansas. The weather was beautiful. The sky was a clear blue with those fluffy white clouds which let us know Spring is here and Summer will make its warm presence known very soon. It was a great day to sit outside ...
A Principal’s 12,000 Steps
By: Jon Konen | Apr 30, 2018
DISCLAIMER: This article has no intent to brag about what we do as principals. The purpose is to illustrate to the public, what most principals do on a daily basis. The job has changed and continues to evolve!
The concept of a principal from years past, sitting at their desk ...
What is the Harkness Discussion? … Why I’ve Embraced this Teaching Method and How It’s Worked for Me
By: Michelle Areaux | Apr 19, 2018
If you are like me, you are always trying to find new and innovative ways to get your students engaged in your lesson...or at least to buy into what you are teaching. The daily “sit and get” or the constant shuffling of stations can grow tiresome.
One new learning style I ...