Chalkbeat

Education news. In context.

Chalkbeat

In the Classroom

Snapshots of the teaching and learning that take place inside schools

How I Teach

National
March 13, 2019

How this Oklahoma geography teacher brings students from crisis to calm

"Immediately, it started clicking for me: this kid is in crisis. When she’s panicking over my tests, it really has nothing to do with my tests."

Critical role

Colorado
March 8, 2019

A day in the life of Miss Wendy, a ‘foot soldier’ for special education

Thousands of paraprofessionals work directly with Colorado special education students every day. Wendy McSwain is one of them.

How I Teach

Tennessee
March 6, 2019

This Hamilton County educator helps his students run a business

We spoke with Chris Seanard about the genesis of his eLab, lessons he has gleaned from his students, and how his background as a snowboarding instructor prepared him for the job.

diversifying curriculum

Colorado
March 5, 2019

House bill would add Asian-Americans to Colorado history and government lessons

American history and government lessons in Colorado schools would have to give students a better understanding of the culture and contributions of all…

First Person

New York
March 5, 2019

I’ve spent thousands of hours with SESIS. Replacing it isn’t all our students with disabilities need.

Truly improving special education will require a shift in mentality (away from compliance) and in-school practices (toward collaboration), not just new software.

First Person

Chicago
March 1, 2019

If I can’t stay calm as a teacher, how can I expect more from 7-year-olds?

I think teaching mindfulness is a great second step. It’ll work, just as soon as we do.

First Person

Colorado
March 1, 2019

The Denver strike was my school’s best team-building activity of the year. Our return didn’t go as well.

The strike gave us a chance to get to know each other, to find out how things are going across grade levels and content areas, to sympathize and empathize.

homeless crisis

New York
February 27, 2019

Homelessness crisis exacts an especially high price on New York City’s youngest students, report finds

The scourge of student homelessness in New York City, already at record levels, is increasingly falling on the smallest shoulders.

First Person

New York
February 20, 2019

I was too anxious to speak in class. Then the adults at my school teamed up to help me.

My teacher smiled and held eye contact, as if to assure me that whatever I’d written, she and I were going to find a solution together. Eventually, we did.

the best

Indiana
February 4, 2019

Indy counselors share secrets to get middle schoolers on track for college scholarships

For students to qualify for 21st Century Scholarships, they must apply by the end of eighth grade.

How I Teach

Colorado
January 30, 2019

This Air Force veteran switched to teaching, but his military mindset still comes in handy

An Air Force-veteran-turned-Colorado-high-school-teacher incorporates lessons from the military into the classroom.

required reading

Chicago
January 28, 2019

How Harper High School figured out how to keep ninth-graders on track — and how Chicago followed

An excerpt from "The Make-or-Break Year: Solving the Dropout Crisis One Ninth Grader at a Time"

buy-in

National
January 23, 2019

How to get teachers to believe in a new school program? Ask them to help design it.

Teachers are more enthusiastic about a new program if their school gets control over how a new program is designed and introduced.

First Person

Chicago
January 4, 2019

I’m a Chicago teacher who has watched many Javions fall through the cracks. Here’s what would help.

In Chicago, a district that prides itself on its variety of choices for families, Javion’s story is an illustration of how little schools can have in common.

How I Teach

Colorado
January 2, 2019

This Colorado history teacher sees the effects of immigration policy every day — in her worried students

Here, in a feature we call How I Teach, we ask educators who’ve been recognized for their work how they approach their jobs. You can…
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