In our world, there is a pervasive emphasis on achievement, outcomes, growth, and strategies. With school change work, we often see a kind of “turnaround” mentality— where there is an expectation that when we implement or “roll out” a program or initiative, we will see immediate results. As part of this approach to change, educators […]
We are currently living in a tense social and political climate, with a great deal of polarization within our communities. With so much change and daily turmoil in the news, students are not only managing their own personal stress about school, family, and growing up- they are also having to negotiate their questions and concerns […]
The Importance of Cultural Responsiveness At This Time in Our World From its inception, PassageWorks Institute has been committed to the creation of safe places for students, families and educators. With her book, The Soul of Education, founder Rachael Kessler urged educators to invite the vulnerable inner lives of students into the public space of […]
Staying Present and Connected With Your Children The first day of school has arrived, and I find the mother in me zeroing in on my kids and their needs. Do they have what they need to manage the day — the backpack with school supplies, a lunch that’s healthy and brain sustaining, and, despite the […]
As an educator you may feel stressed, overworked, and overwhelmed. You may find yourself in a community where self-sacrifice and time spent at school are markers of heroism. You may have come to school with walking pneumonia or missed your own child’s special events. Maybe you have been congratulated for your dedication. I remember a […]
In the field of education, we are all leaders. Though our roles within school districts and school buildings vary, we all have an impact on the young people we work with and the adults we interact with. And from this place of leadership—daily, we have opportunities to create interactions with students and colleagues that build trust […]
Modeling and teaching cultural responsiveness is an essential ingredient in creating an inclusive, relationship-based classroom in which all students thrive. With every student demographic, this approach develops critical skills and awareness that relate directly to learning outcomes and students’ capacity for success in a global culture and workplace. Geneva Gay (2000), in her book Culturally Responsive […]
The days grow shorter, the season shifts, and we turn now towards the final months of 2015. This time of year can be both joyous and stressful for teachers and students alike—as calendars fill with everything from holiday events, to mid-term exams, to semester end projects and report cards. Emotions can run high –as the […]
Meeting the Needs of All Students The last year has brought the issues diversity, equity and cultural responsiveness into all of our lives in vivid ways. Issues of racial inequity in policing have been brought home through a series of tragic deaths captured on bystander videos. The confederate flag has been taken down from state […]
An excerpt from The 5 Dimensions of Engaged Teaching (pp. 108-110) Each student arrives in the classroom with a different personality, background, learning style, and skill level. When we take steps at the beginning of the term to intentionally gather students into a cohesive whole and give them a clear sense of purpose and direction, […]
