A Survival Primer for New Teachers Dear New Teacher, It was John Steinbeck who wrote in his novel East of Eden, “…the repository of art and science is the school, and the schoolteacher shields and carries the torch of learning and of beauty.” This first year, while you are mired in lesson planning, meetings, assessing, […]
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U.S. surgeon general issues an advisory for a warning label on social media platforms for adolescents
The U.S. Surgeon General has issued an advisory highlighting the urgent need to address the mental health challenges faced by children, adolescents, and young adults in the United States. The advisory, titled “Protecting Youth Mental Health,” emphasizes that these challenges are real, widespread, and, most importantly, treatable and often preventable. Recent national surveys reveal alarming […]
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Viral meme student graduates high School
Viral memes always make us laugh, and sometimes they make us proud. In the case of Jaycob Linsey, we met him when he was dancing in the chair at Ron Clark Academy in 2018. Yesterday, he graduated from Daniel McLaughlin Therrell High School in Southwest Atlanta. Therell High School Class of 2024 graduated with 211 […]
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Active Learning: Nothing Can Stop The Flow!
We’ve all been there. That moment when you’re completely absorbed in the experience. You’re in active learning- the zone. You’re somehow calm, focused, and intense all at the same time. You’re like Scrooge at the end of A Christmas Carol, “I am as light as a feather, I am as happy as an angel, I […]
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When Your School Principal is Mean Jean the Recess Queen
Teaching was my dream job until the new principal/sheriff came to town. As I sit here typing this submission, I am at home because I need a mental health day. I have only been at work 30 days since 12 weeks of FMLA and approximately $15,000 in lost wages due to anxiety and depression. But […]
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A Lesson in Block Building Left Me Asking: How Might We Support a Paraprofessional Today?
Transitioning majors in college led me to embrace a role as a floater paraprofessional, eager to explore and support in the realm of education. “Rutledge, room 32”- Walking down the hallway you see art on the walls and shiny floors glimpses into other classrooms and you arrive at room 32. Open the door and you […]
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Shifting the misperception of American educators
If social media can be counted on for anything, it is reliable in the ability to tick me off and throw me into a spiral of rage-induced overthinking. The most recent spark came from a simple meme stating, ” I read today that in Denmark, empathy is taught as a school subject. We really should […]
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My relationship with AI…It’s complicated!
It has been over 2 years since ChatGPT launched, arguably bringing artificial intelligence (AI) into the mainstream. AI has rapidly evolved into a large collection of tools that address almost every aspect of teaching and learning. They can grade papers or provide individualized feedback, correct grammar, generate ideas for lessons, write standards-based assessments at every […]