Classroom Q and A

The differences between equality and equity in education are significant, and they matter on many levels. Equal treatment is insufficient. This discussion points out the common confusion between equality and equity among teachers and the importance of providing the necessary resources for each student to succeed. The group advocates high standards in curriculum, critical peer evaluation among teac...

Four teachers share their personal experiences and challenges as teachers of color in predominantly white educational settings. They cite specific examples of bias, micro-aggressions, and the feeling of being both invisible and hyper-visible in the educational system. They confess to not feeling truly valued or acknowledged for their contributions. Turning to solutions, the group pointed to the ne...

Differentiating instruction can be a loaded term for many teachers. Some think it means creating a separate lesson plan for each student. Join us as we provide specific examples of differentiated instruction done well and what we need from each student to make differentiated instruction work Follow on Twitter: @larryferlazzo@jonHarper70bd @bamradionetwork @IsabelitaBec @teachbk Isabel Becerra is t...

Restorative practices are promising ways to manage disruptive student behaviors and recover broken relationships. The principles and strategies are sound. The challenge is implementing them well. Here’s what works. Follow on Twitter: @Upeguijara @DrMarieMoreno @2WardEquity @CShawR10 Read related article on Edweek David Upegui, EdD, serves as a science teacher at his alma mater, Central Falls High...

Research confirms that students learn better in environments where their teachers and classmates recognize and validate their identities. In this discussion, we exchange proven ways to encourage students to constructively express their uniqueness and create a classroom climate that supports learning. Follow on Twitter: @larryferlazzo @jonHarper70bd @bamradionetwork @CrystalMWatson @doctorasilva @d...

In this discussion, we acknowledge that some efforts at self-care hit the mark and are well received.  Other efforts at self-care miss the mark and create more stress and angst.  Join us as we aim to adjust our approach to self-care around what we've learned actually works. Follow our PLN: @MorganeMichael @8amber8 @larryferlazzo @JennyGRankin @jonHarper70bd @bamradionetwork Dr. Jenny Grant Rankin...

Despite all of the energy and intellectual horsepower we've applied to solve the big challenges of educating our students, we still have many unresolved issues. What are some of the big remaining questions? Follow on Twitter:  @fromrooma212 @ReadByExample @larryferlazzo @bamradionetwork, @Jonharper70bd Dr. July Hill-Wilkinson is a veteran classroom teacher, former administrator, and Adjunct Profes...

Even constructive, positive feedback can be difficult to offer and receive. How can we make giving and accepting feedback more palpable and effective? Follow on Twitter: @AnnHC_Champ4All @AshleyCKearney@larryferlazzo @bamradionetwork, @Jonharper70bd Ashley Kearney is an education organizer and award winning secondary mathematics educator with experience as a teacher leader and effectiveness develo...

Getting comfortable speaking a foreign language in public is a hurdle most ELL students must overcome to participate in class. In this discussion, ELL teachers share strategies to help students break through any hesitance or concerns. Follow on Twitter: @Laleh114000 @drivannia @Tools4Teacherss @JodyNolf @larryferlazzo @bamradionetwork, @Jonharper70bd Laleh Ghotbi started her teaching career in 199...

Tapping into our students’ intrinsic motivation is more important than ever in our post-pandemic classrooms. Join us as we share the insights and engagement strategies that are working and identify the ones that aren’t. Follow on Twitter: @CShawR10@riordan_meg @irina_mcgrath @AndrewSharosAP@larryferlazzo @bamradionetwork, @Jonharper70bd Chandra Shaw has more than 24 years of experience in educatio...

We invited a panel of educators to discuss specific strategies they use to improve their mastery of the teaching craft. Follow on Twitter: @latreseyounger @leaders_black @booked_wellread @mrstowner9 @larryferlazzo @jonHarper70bd @bamradionetwork Latrese D. Younger has over fifteen years of education experience across several different school districts. She began her journey as an English Language...

We’re now a couple of months into a post-pandemic school year which for many teachers is their first. This week, what would you like to share with all new teachers, especially those starting this school term? Follow on Twitter: @CindyGarciaTX @wilson1sheila @moreruckus2 @ixy_pixy @larryferlazzo @jonHarper70bd @bamradionetwork Cindy Garcia serves as the district-wide instructional specialist for Bi...

Culturally responsive teaching tells students that their life experiences matter and helps students connect to the curriculum. The practice is well suited to teaching English classes, but many communities are rejecting culturally responsive teaching. In this episode, we talk about teaching a culturally responsive English class and responding to those who are critical of the practice. Follow on Twi...

Join us as we define and clarify what culturally responsive teaching means in a social studies context. Our guests explain why culturally responsive teaching is uniquely well-suited to teaching social studies and address the myths and misconceptions that make the practice more challenging. Follow on Twitter: @klrembert @dmurff5 @Edufacey @sarahjcooper01 @larryferlazzo @jonHarper70bd @bamradionetwo...

The ranks of English language learners continue to expand rapidly. Some have no proficiency with the language, but many are intermediate English skills. In this episode, we explore strategies that are well suited for ELLs who have more developed English fluency. Follow our PLN on Twitter: @tchrlgonzalez @maestra_Gonzalez @bhuertas80 @cahnmann @larryferlazzo @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd Luisana...

The middle school classroom is so unpredictable. In this episode, our guests share what they’ve learned works when teaching middle school students and what doesn’t. Join us for a discussion about what middle schoolers need and what qualities make middle school teachers effective. Follow on Twitter: @larryferlazzo @bamradionetwork @jonharper70bd @SerenaPariser @jeremybballer Serena Pariser has twel...

We all know that arts and crafts can just be enjoyable busy work or a tremendous way to activate student learning. In this episode, we explore practical ways to use arts and crafts more effectively. Follow on Twitter:  @larryferlazzo @bamradionetwork @Jonharper70bd @mikekaechele Jerilou J. Moore, Ph. D., Professor Emerita at the University of Mississippi School of Education, has taught art classes...

New and veteran teachers generally agree that performance observations are just slightly more appealing than a root canal. In this episode, we invite a panel of teachers and administrators to explore ways to make the practice more productive and less distressing? Follow on Twitter: @elvisepps @huels_ryan @Jenschwanke @HarrisLeads @DrYemiS @jonHarper70bd@larryferlazzo @bamradionetwork Dr. Elvis Epp...

We are still struggling to come to grips with American slavery and now the heightened dissonance around the topic has spilled into our classrooms. In this episode, we talk about the challenges of teaching about slavery and how to navigate them with integrity, transparency, and efficacy. Follow on Twitter: @larryferlazzo @sarahsoonling @kproctor1517 @alicemercer @bamradionetwork @jonharper70bd Ketu...

Art has the ability to be a powerful tool for engaging, differentiating, and humanizing virtually any subject. Join us as we cover several practical strategies for using art effectively in any classroom. Follow on Twitter: @klrembert @wendi322 @demacruz @larryferlazzo @jonHarper70bd @bamradionetwork Keisha Rembert is a passionate learner and fierce equity advocate. She is an award-winning educator...

In this episode, we talk about the small ways we can adapt the way we teach that can have a big impact on students and their learning. We close by looking at the barriers to making these minute changes. Follow on Twitter: @ValentinaESL @fromrooma212 @HolSpinny @larryferlazzo @jonHarper70bd @bamradionetwork Holly Spinelli is a students’ rights activist with specific focuses in alternative, strength...

It’s hard to believe that we’re still talking about pandemic learning, but here we are. So how much of what we learned are we actually applying as we head back to school this year? Follow on Twitter: @helnvass @Dr_Kreisberg @therobsharvey @larryferlazzo @bamradionetwork@Jonharper70bd Dr. Robert S. Harvey is an educator and writer, faith leader, community connector, child advocate, and public schol...

Most of us have never faced a pandemic on this scale, so there was much to learn and we did.  Of course, there were mistakes made and some that seem so obvious in the rearview mirror. In this episode, we take a candid look at what we missed and why? Follow on Twitter: @delgadong94 @MCUSDSupe  @SelenaCarrion @mharvey607 @larryferlazzo @bamradionetwork@Jonharper70bd Altagracia (Grace) H. Delgado has...

As we gear up for another round of pandemic teaching and learning, we zero in on what will be needed to support students who learn differently. Follow on Twitter: @fromrooma212 @amygdalayo @ElizabethLStein @TStudentsupport @SHSUHIED @larryferlazzo @jonHarper70bd@bamradionetwork Dr. Ann H. Lê is a published author in a variety of educational journals and textbook chapters, as well as a guest speake...

In this episode, I check in with four teachers on their expectations and plans for the new school year. What developments, challenges, and silver linings do you see ahead? What do you now feel is more important and what matters less? Follow on Twitter: @klrembert @mrs_tbogo @wilson1sheila @sarahjcooper01 @larryferlazzo @jonHarper70bd @bamradionetwork Keisha Rembert is a passionate learner and fier...