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 ...
Helpful, Watchful Eyes Keep Us All In Check
By: Mary McLaughlin | Apr 4, 2019
A Rose By Any Other Name
“What's in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.” –William Shakespeare
I got married a year ago.
While it’s a big-deal event in one’s life, and it definitely was for Jack and me, we have each been married previously.
We ...
Don’t Leave, We Need You! 8 “Cries” and “Whys” For Not Leaving Teaching
By: Jon Konen | Mar 27, 2019
One random Wednesday in March our staff all wore red to school. It signified red for public education. We talked about “why” we should wear red all day! It made me proud to be part of this one day movement, and many have pledged to continue to promote this cause.
With ...
The Fears Teachers Have: Part 3) What Is Making Professional Educators Flee At Such High Rates? Tales From the Inside of My Chosen Field
By: Mary McLaughlin | Mar 25, 2019
This is the final installment of a three-part series on Teacher Fears, and in it we will explore what’s really ruminating in the hearts and minds of the people in this profession. This exploration will consider the things that teachers are often hesitant to discuss or write about for fear ...
The Fears Teachers Have: Part 2) Have Well-Educated Adults Lost Their Ability To Have a Backbone?
By: Mary McLaughlin | Mar 22, 2019
This is Part 2 of a three-part series on Teacher Fears, and in it we will explore what’s really ruminating in the hearts and minds of the people in this profession. This exploration will consider the things that teachers are often hesitant to discuss or write about for fear of ...
The Fears Teachers Have: Part 1) Facing Down What Is Real, What Is Perceived and What Makes Teachers Fear For Their Jobs and Careers
By: Mary McLaughlin | Mar 20, 2019
This is Part 1 of a three-part series on Teacher Fears, and in it we will explore what’s really ruminating in the hearts and minds of the people in this profession. This exploration will consider the things that teachers are often hesitant to discuss or write about for fear of ...
4 Strategies to Reframe Student and Parent Comments to the Positive
By: Jon Konen | Mar 12, 2019
Have you ever wanted to change the words that someone says? As an educator, reframing words is a conversational skill that can be very tricky, but very effective in the success of a student. Many times we using reframing to change negative self-talk or unhealthy perceptions of others. The best ...
Leadership: 7 Unintentional Lessons I Learned from Failure
By: Jon Konen | Feb 4, 2019
Failure is often misinterpreted.
We shy away from failure, especially if we are perfectionists. When in reality, it can be the greatest learning experience and an opportunity for personal growth.
Recently I applied for a superintendent position in my school district. The district is the second largest in Montana with roughly 10,500 ...
You Can’t Control All the Factors That Lead to Problem Behavior, But You CAN Manage It In The Classroom
By: Mary McLaughlin | Jan 24, 2019
I have three dogs—Homer, Scruffy, and Murphy (whose whole name is Murphy Hugh Jackman…long story).
Homer came to me because of a rainy day.
Typical for me on a rainy day, I picked up my lap top and sat down to mindlessly browse the web during Christmas vacation. A page popped up ...
Training and Retaining Great Talent in America’s Teaching Ranks
By: Mary McLaughlin | Jan 9, 2019
In the last week of the year. All across this great land of ours, American Teachers were enjoying the reprieve from day-to-day tasks involved with educating America’s youth.
Not many (okay, probably a lot really ARE…I’m probably the only slacker) were reading professional articles about enhancing classroom practice. Probably few were ...
The Construction Foreman Parent: 5 Strategies for Raising a Kind and Humble Child
By: Jon Konen | Jan 8, 2019
This picture is worth 1,000 words and it tells a story. A story of a child’s hard work with football…signing day! Our son recently signed a letter of intent to play football for University of Montana Western. There is a back story to this picture that I would like to ...