The Fine Art of Complaining: When Complaints Help and When They Hurt By Betsy Hill and Roger Stark Some people enjoy complaining; others find it exhausting. In a New York Times opinion piece, Samantha Irby argued that “to complain is to truly be alive,” describing complaint as a kind of emotional relief. That feeling of … Read more

By Tamara Fyke As an educator and parent invested in children’s well-being, I recognize the ongoing tension between screen time and real-life experiences. Like many families, our household has specific rules around device use. Yet I continually explore how technology intersects with social emotional learning (SEL)—and I deliberately separate SEL from the broader term EdTech. … Read more

Esports in K–12 Education: Boosting Attendance, Engagement, and Lifelong Opportunities Esports and video game-based learning are emerging as powerful tools to re-engage students across K–12 schools, particularly in hybrid or remote learning environments. Educators and administrators are increasingly recognizing esports as a practical avenue to improve attendance and increase sustained engagement in other subjects. On … Read more

When high school ends, the next step doesn’t have to be a traditional four-year university. Many students today choose alternative paths that better match their finances, interests, or life circumstances. Rising tuition, competitive admissions, and changing career landscapes mean there are now several valid, practical routes to a successful future. The most important thing is … Read more

Guest article written by Lori Fettner I first realized there was something different about Binta when I handed her an alphabet book and asked her to copy the letters into her notebook. It was my third year teaching English as a Second Language, and I loved working with students who were new to the country. … Read more

Many educators and parents ask: are today’s classrooms becoming too dependent on technology? This question touches on complex political and economic concerns, including funding sources, equipment choices, and whether additional technology is truly necessary in schools. Critics argue that classrooms already contain significant nonhuman influence, particularly in early grades, and that the growing presence of … Read more

Katharine, can you please tell us a little bit about your background? I have been teaching English as a Foreign Language since 2003, giving me more than a decade and a half of classroom and online experience. I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Massachusetts and, after graduating, pursued a TEFL certificate in … Read more

By Scott Kinney You likely remember the tale of Chicken Little. In a modern retelling I recently saw, an elementary school teacher reads an online post claiming the sky is falling. Alarmed, Chicken Little rushes to warn friends who respond, “If it’s on the internet, it must be true.” The story’s humorous outcome made me … Read more

Guest Post Written By: Jarrell D. Wright The word “rubric” often carries connotations of rigidity or formalism, and for some instructors it can sound authoritarian or overly prescriptive. Yet a rubric need not be a cold or inflexible tool. In my experience, developing and using rubrics has been one of the most productive steps I’ve … Read more

By Dr. Kathleen Tate, Program Director for Teaching, American Public University We all remember teachers who shaped our lives—some for their inspiration, others for what not to do. What sets the exceptional teachers apart? After reflecting on classroom experience and research in effective instruction, here are five essential qualities that consistently distinguish great teachers and … Read more