Event: Back to School with Dr. Kem

Join Chalkbeat on Aug 31, 5-5:45 p.m. ET as Dr. Kem shares her strategies for a successful back-to-school season.

Promotional event graphic for “After the Bell: Back to School with Dr. Kem” on August 31, 2022.
Chalkbeat presents its first advice columnist, Dr. Kem Smith. (Source: Photo courtesy of Dr. Kem Smith. Graphic Lauren Bryant / Chalkbeat.)

Chalkbeat’s new advice column, After the Bell, was conceived as a refuge for busy teachers.

We heard your calls for validation, support, and actionable advice. We launched this column as a space to share your teaching joys, frustrations, wins, challenges, questions, and everything in between.

While After the Bell aims to provide support year-round, we know that the start to a new school year brings its own unique challenges and questions. That’s why our columnist, Dr. Kem Smith, is joining us virtually on Wednesday, August 31 5:00-5:45 pm ET to answer your back-to-school questions live.

The conversation will feature Dr. Kem and Chalkbeat Reader Advisory Board member Janine Scott, and will be moderated by Gabi Birkner, features editor.

Dr. Kem is currently a 12th grade English teacher in St. Louis, Missouri, but she has taught everything from preschool to college during her two decades as an educator. She’s excited to share her tried and tested strategies for a successful back-to-school season with the After the Bell community.

Attendees who submit a question for Dr. Kem will be entered to win a back-to-school bundle of Chalkbeat items, including a tumbler, umbrella, pair of socks, and a t-shirt! Winners will be chosen and notified after the event.

Please register to save your virtual seat and send us your questions for Dr. Kem in advance. This event is free to attend, but any optional donations will go to support Chalkbeat’s nonprofit journalism and events like these.

After the Bell is Chalkbeat’s first advice column, made specifically for teachers. Subscribe to our How I Teach newsletter to receive the column in your inbox every Thursday.

The Latest

Examples from D.C. and Denver could serve as potential solutions or cautionary tales as the Indianapolis Local Education Alliance crafts its recommendations.

The district spent $25 million on the new curriculum. Officials say more training, support, and patience are needed.

Will mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s free child care plan convince families to stay in NYC for elementary school? A look at affordability and school issues pushing parents to leave.

New Jersey Democrats are strongly opposed to Ciattarelli’s plan saying it would bankrupt New Jersey’s budget.

The High School Admissions Test platform had problems providing more time to students who are approved to receive testing accommodations, such as those with disabilities and English learners.

Superintendent Roderick Richmond is proposing sending displaced students into nearby schools to fill open seats.