The importance of social studies and information literacy
Dangerously Irrelevant
JANUARY 6, 2021
As someone who grew up in the Washington, D.C. suburbs and whose parents worked for the federal government, today’s events have been… challenging.
Leadership for Deeper Learning: Excerpt 05
Dangerously Irrelevant
JULY 25, 2021
[To celebrate our upcoming book, Leadership for Deeper Learning , I am publishing an excerpt each day for a week before its release. We think that this book makes a unique contribution to what we know about leadership in deeper learning schools. Also, every main chapter concludes with Key Leadership Behaviors and Support Structures.
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The Week That Was In 234
Moler's Musing
JANUARY 24, 2025
This week in 8th-grade social studies, we brought history to life with engaging EduProtocols that helped students dive deep into the Early Republic and key moments like the Whiskey Rebellion. These quick notes laid out the big ideas students would encounter in the lesson: Washingtons leadership style. hero, mentor, trickster).
Government 118
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Innovative School District Seeks Middle School Science and Social Studies Apps
Digital Promise
FEBRUARY 5, 2015
So when Piedmont is looking for great digital science and social studies programs for its middle school, it’s hard for them to know where to look and what’s out there. WHAT: Piedmont Middle School is seeking to pilot digital learning programs that support competency-based learning in science and social studies.
Building Teacher Leadership Pathways Through Video (Learning Forward)
Edthena
FEBRUARY 11, 2022
Thinking about how to support teacher leadership in your school? 2021 and shared how they use video to build teacher leadership pathways. Climbing the teacher leadership L.A.D.D.E.R. Suzanne McGahey, a K-12 social studies coordinator, noted that there are many methods for supporting teachers wanting to leave the classroom.
Leadership 97
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Our Doors Are Always Open
A Principal's Reflections
MARCH 10, 2013
He has dual NYS certification in Secondary Social Studies and as an Educational Technology Specialist- daily utilizing both skill sets. Steve is also currently leading Educational Technology instruction as an Adjunct Professor at Pace University and is obtaining a degree in School District Leadership.
High School 270
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Social Studies Strategies for Building Background Knowledge
Social Studies Success
NOVEMBER 28, 2023
Secondary Social Studies Interventionist As any good teacher does, I often eavesdrop. During my fourteen years of eavesdropping, I’ve heard social studies teachers lament that they are “not reading teachers”. Why is background knowledge important in social studies? By Kydra Hubbard, Ed.
This School Librarian Thinks Her Job Is the ‘Best-Kept Secret in Education’
ED Surge
JANUARY 21, 2025
When people outside of school ask you what you do say, at a social event how do you describe your work? I'm a second-year doctoral student in educational leadership. My mantra now is: I'm a successful educator and businesswoman. My focus is on charter schools, multiliteracies and school librarianship. That's what I do.
Library 106
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Teaching Job Skills in Middle School
Mr and Mrs Social Studies
JANUARY 16, 2023
Job Skills in History Classes The ideas previously described work great in a careers class, but what if you teach history, social studies, or even language arts instead? Students can take on leadership roles in the classroom and gain some additional skills.
Middle School 130
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Still learning? Still growing?
Dangerously Irrelevant
JUNE 5, 2020
As a history major in college and former Social Studies teacher, I am aware of the racial abuses that have permeated our nation’s history and continue to be present. I am grateful for the willingness of others to share their leadership and resources. Books: School leadership for social justice. Books: Anti-racism.
Social Justice 109
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Service-Learning Can Be the Bridge to Social Emotional Learning. Educators Should Embrace It.
ED Surge
SEPTEMBER 6, 2022
Despite the setback, I believe there is still a way for students to re-engage in school, support their communities and learn leadership skills. After taking a closer look at the social emotional learning (SEL) framework, it is clear there is a connection between SEL and service learning that educators can use and nurture.
Civic Engagement 137
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Many kids can’t read, even in high school. Is the solution teaching reading in every class?
The Hechinger Report
AUGUST 13, 2024
“We have kids that on our benchmark knowledge assessments are scoring what is the equivalent of second grade, first grade, fourth grade,” said Fisher, who is also a professor and chair of educational leadership at San Diego State University. Patty Topliffe teaches social studies at Woodstock High School in Brown’s district.
High School 145
145 
STUDENT VOICE: Here’s why my high school and others must address anti-Asian racism
The Hechinger Report
APRIL 6, 2021
We need to read texts by Asian American authors in English classes and learn about Asian American history and community leaders in social studies classes. Related: OPINION: Now is the time to hire and promote Asian Americans into leadership positions. This raises a necessary question: Who is going to teach these classes?
High School 117
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It’s late 2015 and we’re still overblocking the Internet
Dangerously Irrelevant
OCTOBER 5, 2015
One of my doctoral students’ dissertations at the University of Minnesota , for instance, found that overzealous school filtering prohibited student access to online content essential for satisfying state Social Studies and Health curricular standards. Administrator mindset and leadership are critical here. Related Posts.
Library 89
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A New Narrative: How Inclusive Innovation Unlocks the Power of R&D to Transform Education
ED Surge
JANUARY 10, 2024
Since its inception, the Digital Promise Center for Inclusive Innovation (CII) has focused on bridging that distance by engaging educators, students, families and communities in co-leadership, co-research and co-design of education solutions.
Education 115
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If We Listen, Students Will Lead Education Research and Development
ED Surge
JUNE 21, 2023
Recognizing the need to reimagine student engagement in social studies inquiry writing, Frank McCormick , an instructional technology coordinator from Sunnyside School District in Tucson, Arizona, embarked on a transformative journey. The result was a life-changing experience for the students and the adults.
Research 107
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Why we could soon lose even more Black Teachers
The Hechinger Report
JANUARY 5, 2022
Sometimes, Talbott says, she was the first Black teacher her students had had at Lusher, even after she began teaching sixth-grade social studies in 2013; it meant a lot to her to provide students with that self-recognition and affirmation. Lusher enrolls students in kindergarten through 12th grade across its two buildings.
Leadership 145
145 
Fun & Engaging Executive Branch Activity Ideas
Let's Cultivate Greatness
DECEMBER 10, 2024
Its a bit complicated, which means it also offers great opportunities to practice critical thinking and social studies skills. The speech is the presidents chance to shine in their leadership role by reporting on how they feel the nation is doing and what they want to achieve in the new year.
Civics 52
52 
Coronavirus becomes unprecedented test for teacher-student relationships
The Hechinger Report
APRIL 20, 2020
NEW YORK — Social studies teacher Karen Rose stepped out of New Rochelle High School last month for what will likely be the last time. Karen Rose, a social studies teacher at New Rochelle High School, with Daniel Delgado, one of her former students. She worries about the students she hasn’t heard from.
K-12 143
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Tech Access in Schools: Making Edtech Accessible to All
Digital Promise
JULY 16, 2019
Once an educational technology (edtech) tool is in a school, the hard work is just beginning due to a number of potential hurdles and challenges that leadership and educators need to overcome. Access to technology for all students is a major goal for many schools, companies, and organizations—yet access is only part of the equation.
EdTech 132
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Teaching Was My Dream. Now I Wonder If It Is Stunting My Other Passions.
ED Surge
APRIL 19, 2023
In 2017, while teaching fifth grade language arts and social studies, I took my love of radio and started a podcast on teaching and education. Despite my hesitance, I recently took on a leadership role at my school for a few reasons. “You can pursue more than one path,” I told myself.
Teaching 145
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How Districts Are Using Data Equity to Drive Decisions and Improvements
Digital Promise
OCTOBER 18, 2021
English, math, social studies, and science) as well as attendance and behavioral data to provide a more holistic view of all students. To ensure family perspective is not only heard but incorporated into the decision-making process, members present their findings and their recommendations to district leadership.
Public School 163
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It’s not that you don’t have enough money, it’s that you don’t spend it wisely
Dangerously Irrelevant
AUGUST 4, 2015
All sports, all clubs, all leadership opportunities… Why are you angry? Let’s cut Social Studies. Along with our recess cuts , that’s more time that we can allocate toward scripted reading and math lessons and additional drill-and-kill activities. We can do better! Let’s cut extracurriculars while we’re at it. We can do better!
Advocacy 111
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How Augmented Reality Fosters Student Curiosity and Collaboration
ED Surge
NOVEMBER 29, 2023
The social studies activity Space Race in McGraw Hill AR How has incorporating AR in your classroom enhanced the learning experience for your students? Some of the students were quick to step into leadership roles and tell their classmates, “Okay, guys, this is how you join a group.”
EdTech 130
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The overlooked power of Zuckerberg-backed learning program lies offline
The Hechinger Report
MAY 2, 2020
The online platform includes a project-based curriculum for science, social studies, math and English language arts for students in grades four through 12, along with additional content in those subjects that students can tackle at their own pace. Now nearly 400 schools use it across 40 states. It’s a mindset shift.”.
Junior High 131
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Building better early grade math teachers: Milwaukee goes back to an old playbook
The Hechinger Report
SEPTEMBER 5, 2024
We had such a strong leadership base,” she said. Since the partnership ended in 2014, district leadership changed again, and there’s been more openness to collaborating with the university. I always thought that social studies and literacy were more of my thing. Huinker continues to train teachers for the district.
Teaching Broke My Heart. That's Why I Resigned.
ED Surge
AUGUST 16, 2022
I hope no behavioral concerns arise, because if I can avoid a parent phone call I might be able to get some of this done—well, that is if I do a virtual assignment during social studies. I was always completing tasks for other people—school leadership, district leadership, state officials—at the expense of the students in my care.
Teaching 104
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What happens when teachers run the school
The Hechinger Report
APRIL 25, 2023
Carrie Bakken, a social studies teacher and program coordinator who has been with the school since 2001, said the model appeals to younger workers and has helped the school avoid hiring challenges. “We A first-year teacher, she joined the Boston Teachers Union Pilot School this fall as an ELA and social studies teacher.
Charter School 138
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As Schools Move to Change How Kids Are Graded, Some Families Push Back
ED Surge
NOVEMBER 30, 2023
That’s according to Matt Townsley, an assistant professor of educational leadership at the University of Northern Iowa, who has written books about changing grading systems and who has helped schools switch to standards-based systems. It recognizes the individual journey of every student.
Middle School 143
143 
Coronavirus is making it easier to become a teacher in a state with severe shortage of educators
The Hechinger Report
MAY 1, 2020
Under Shelton’s leadership, Jackson State’s School of Education had already shifted to encouraging prospective education students to take the Praxis after they’d finished their lower-level math and English pre-requisites. Shelton said prior to the waiver, Jackson State was facing a familiar concern.
Education 112
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OPINION: Three misunderstandings about open resources
The Hechinger Report
MARCH 6, 2017
All of our districts are members the members of the Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools, an 86-district coalition recognized for innovation and leadership in education. Our nine districts have been considering free or low-cost open educational resources alongside traditional options.
Lesson Plan 105
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K-12 Educators and Administrators: Share Your Ed-tech Pilot Approach
Digital Promise
MARCH 10, 2015
They are outstanding districts with strong leadership - and we know they’re not alone. Our Improving Ed-Tech Purchasing study found that districts often use “ pilot tryouts ” to make decisions about learning technology tools. Director of Research and Program Evaluation. Fulton County Schools.
K-12 92
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Teaching to the student, not the test
The Hechinger Report
OCTOBER 4, 2018
Garcia, 55, has an inclusive leadership style, and is known for working hard to connect with students. He did odd jobs — bagging groceries, working in a laundromat — to support his family while he attended college, on his way to a job as a social studies teacher in Brockton.
Teaching 111
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They Started Teaching During the Pandemic Year. Where Are They Now?
ED Surge
APRIL 23, 2024
Since starting my career, the dynamic of my department has changed a few times, so I’ve taught ELA by itself as well as ELA and social studies. Currently I am on a team of two [fourth grade teachers], so I teach ELA and social studies while my partner teaches math and science.
Teaching 128
128 
From the Marine Corps to the Classroom
ED Surge
AUGUST 21, 2023
Name : Annie Talley Ochoa Age : 44 Current town : Cupertino, California College : Alliant University through a TeachStart Fellowship Area of study : High school social studies Hometown : Corona, California EdSurge: When did you realize that you wanted to become a teacher? Was there a specific moment? We need teachers.
Forget civics class: Students want to make a difference in real life
The Hechinger Report
OCTOBER 29, 2020
Some school districts, local governments and nonprofit groups across the country have galvanized this youth activism by giving students opportunities to participate in leadership roles and democracy in ways that go beyond civics classes and student government.
Civics 143
143 Rural schools join forces to make college the rule rather than the exception
The Hechinger Report
NOVEMBER 16, 2017
They were not involved in our school anymore, not involved in our athletics, our clubs, and not providing leadership in the building.”. I always wanted to teach higher-level history and government,” said Ray Mertz, a social studies teacher who joined Meadowbrook in 2014. We saw our best and brightest students leaving.
High School 94
94 
Teaching about Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
Studies Weekly
APRIL 29, 2024
In 2016, Ko was honored by the National Women’s History Museum for success and leadership in business. For further reading, visit jacl.org , the National Women’s History Museum , or the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies. Jerry Yang is a Taiwanese American computer programmer who founded Yahoo!
Heritage 59
59 
What if personalized learning was less about me and more about us?
The Hechinger Report
DECEMBER 22, 2018
As a prelude to discussing leadership, peer pressure and conflict, a Crew of seventh graders at King Middle School in Portland, Maine, played a game called “Instigator.” That said, EL’s leadership now relies heavily on technology to spread Crew and expeditionary learning concepts more broadly. Chris Berdik/The Hechinger Report.
Middle School 111
111 
LA’s school counselors strike back
The Hechinger Report
JANUARY 23, 2019
on day four of the strike, Nadia Morales, a counselor at Los Angeles High School, and Pedro Martinez, a social-studies teacher at Eagle Rock High School, prepare their children for the day. At 7 a.m., Tammy Kim/Hechinger Report.
Charter School 111
111 
Open letter to teachers who feel trapped in racist schools
The Hechinger Report
AUGUST 28, 2017
Because local unions can reflect the racial attitudes of the confined geographic area, leadership and involvement from the national-level group is almost always necessary. In 2011, South Carolina established academic standards for what students should learn in social studies classes, including “the economic necessity of slave labor.”.
Economics 81
81 
Privileging an ideology of individualism
Dangerously Irrelevant
MAY 25, 2017
As a history major and former Social Studies teacher, I believe in the idea of common schools and education as a common good. Technologies monitor and extract data in order to maximize “engagement” and entertainment. I fear that new normal, what it might really mean for teaching, for learning, for scholarship. via [link].
A charter school faces the ugly history of school choice in the Deep South
The Hechinger Report
SEPTEMBER 18, 2019
Coahoma county schools have been under interim leadership for more than a year. First, she got a fellowship with Building Excellent Schools, a charter leadership incubator. They would have science and social studies, because you can’t read if you don’t know anything about the world, she said.
Charter School 109
109 
Anatomy of a failure: How an XQ Super School flopped
The Hechinger Report
AUGUST 7, 2019
Healey School to bring student-led, project-based learning to regular math, science, language arts and social studies classes. Andre Green, a school committee member, worried that district leadership wouldn’t have the time or energy to commit to Powderhouse, given their other responsibilities. Theories vary.
Charter School 111
111 
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