Every Parent-Teacher Conference Should Look Like This

I have a confession to make. I am an educator who doesn’t enjoy participating in parent-teacher conferences as a parent. Our son is a junior…

4 Tips for Parents to Get the Most out of Parent-Teacher Conferences

Many schools are preparing for their first conferences with parents. Unlike Back-to-School Night where parents receive general information about the school, a conference with your…

These Parent-Teacher Conferences Are Harder to Get Into Than a Jimmy Buffett Concert

First, a 30-minute student-led parent-teacher conference with one child’s homeroom teacher. Then, six five-minute conferences with another son’s individual subject teachers. And lastly, a 10-minute…

The First Weeks of School Matter for Your Child. Here’s How to Get It Right.

The back to school season is now in full swing. This time of year often causes a jumble of excitement and nerves for both students…

Here’s Why Awards Over Rewards Is a Better Approach to Student Motivation

Student motivation can be an elusive goal for teachers. We try to think of “out of the box” strategies to get our kids to feel…

Back to School, Back to Basics With Parent-Teacher Partnerships

The smell of education is in the air. Parents have bought uniforms and school supplies are packed up and ready to go. Teachers have completed…

Here Are 8 Things That Make a Good School

Educators have difficulty agreeing upon what makes a “good school.” My thoughts about this topic have continued to change as I progressed through K-12, earned…

Explaining Social-Emotional Learning to Families Can Be Tough. Here’s Three Things You Should Know.

Eighty-two percent of Americans think it’s very important for schools to help students develop interpersonal skills like cooperation, respect and persistence. Despite this, schools have…

7 Things I Think Every Principal Should Know

Education is the one thing that cannot be taken away from you and is the key to success. This is my 12th year as a…

Teaching by Listening

“Mr. Ben-Joseph, if I don’t come to class high then I’m going to beat the s#$% out of Darnell! That m*&$%$ f*$%$# drives me crazy,…