February, 2021 Many of us have started the new year feeling weary, and it’s no wonder why: America has had a chaotic and tumultuous year. Those of us who work in education know that when the outside world feels chaotic, our lives in the classroom benefit from focusing on the basics. We empower our students to take personal responsibility and we do everything we can to strengthen our classroom communities. When Peachtown students studied U.S. government and civics this fall, the connections between our classrooms and our country were hard to ignore. As educators, we have our fingers on the pulse of human nature and we are uniquely positioned to understand what it takes to lead a disparate group of individuals toward a common goal. We know that the traits that make productive citizens in kindergarten classrooms are the same ones that make adults productive citizens in our communities, country and larger world. Here are some universal truths and expectations that cultivate healthy working
March, 2020 As an educator who has taught in both mainstream and alternative learning environments, I’m often asked to describe our educational model as it compares to traditional New York state public schools. How do we know that kids are learning if we’re not officially and systematically testing them? How can kids stay motivated to work without letter or number grades to distinguish their status in relation to their peers? How can kids learn to respect their teachers if they’re calling them by their first names? There are no quick answers, but when I think about the work that we do every day and the outcomes of the children we’ve served, the guiding principle that comes to mind, and one that really defines our approach is this: mutual respect. When we respect that children are individuals who come to us with unique interests, capabilities, personalities and goals, we’re able to reach them as such. Each child will head in a unique direction, and it’s our responsibility to