“If we are willing to embrace the challenge of becoming whole, we cannot embrace that challenge all alone. At least, not for long: we need trustworthy relationships, tenacious communities of support, if we are to sustain the journey toward an undivided life. That journey has
The Story of DuPage High School District 88 Not long ago an event took place at DuPage High School District 88 that has become all too common: A high schooler posted a video on social media in which the student uttered a racial slur. Rather than
Back in the day before microwaves, iPhones, and Wordle there were the “Three Rs.” I was taught that a “sound” education comprised of these “Three Rs” which were: ● Reading, ● Writing, ● And Arithmetic. Now, I’m not arguing that those “Three Rs” aren’t important or relevant anymore. I am arguing
For the past 10 months, many teens have been cut off from their key sources of social support. They, like all of us, have struggled to adapt to long hours at home with few interactions outside our immediate households, and many have lived with anxiety, sadness, anger, and depression. For
Early in my career as a high school English teacher, I learned the importance of building relationships with my students. I discovered that in order for me to teach and learn with my students, I had to build a dialogic, which would allow me to
“No significant learning occurs without a significant relationship.” - Dr. James Comer “Kids don’t learn from people they don’t like.” - Dr. Rita Pierson These quotes are familiar to many in education. And they’re not just simple maxims. Teachers who intentionally create a classroom environment that supports affirmative
In our book, Building Resilience in Students Impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences: A Whole-Staff Approach, my co-authors and I propose a multi-tiered framework for supporting students affected by adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and trauma. Yet we realize many teachers work in schools that have yet
Setting up for a summer presentation in an elementary cafeteria, I had a conversation with the cafeteria manager, who explained that his goal was to give his students and staff the best possible experience in the cafeteria. We didn’t talk about food; we talked about
Today’s teachers need a repertoire of skills to be able to interact with and help students in meaningful, supportive ways when students seek help. This includes practicing specific attitudes and behaviors when communicating with their students. Building relationships with students requires a series of intentional
Throughout the history of education we’ve heard about the importance of the three R’s (even though only one of the words actually starts with an R!) as the foundation of good schooling. As the end of another school year is upon us and every student