Kathleen Vail

Washington, D.C., United States

Managing Editor at Kappan

Editor, writer, storyteller, long-form journalism aficionado, public school supporter. She/Her/Hers

Featured in: Favicon

asbj.com

kappanonline.org

Articles

Ways teachers can keep senioritis at bay

1 month ago | kappanonline.org | Kathleen Vail

Q: “I teach high school seniors and always worry about how to engage them at the end of the school year. How can I keep them motivated even though they have gotten into college and don’t feel like school is a priority right now?”-Signed, A weary high school teacherA: It’s that time of year again—seniors are checked out, college acceptances are in, and focus is waning. You’re not alone in worrying about how to keep them engaged when graduation feels so close yet so far. The good news?
Cellphones can be instructional tools, not distractions

1 month ago | kappanonline.org | Kathleen Vail

Q: “As a high school teacher, I struggle with cellphone usage in the classroom. On the one hand, I recognize that they can be tools for helping students grow; on the other hand, they are a real distraction most of the time. How can I keep students focused, while not punishing them by taking their phones away?”Signed, Annoyed by distractionsA: Let me take you back to 2012. Cellphones are pervasive, but not many folks I worked with see the power of using them in their classrooms.
Strategies to protect student learning while addressing discipline issues

1 month ago | kappanonline.org | Kathleen Vail

Q: “How can we protect the educational process for all students when discipline issues often get in the way?”Signed, A frustrated dean of studentsA: Discipline issues in schools can disrupt the learning environment, making it difficult for educators to teach and students to learn. While maintaining order is essential, it’s equally important to ensure that disciplinary measures don’t overshadow the primary goal: fostering a productive and inclusive educational experience for all students.
Bridge theory and practice for classroom teacher professional learning

1 month ago | kappanonline.org | Kathleen Vail

Q: “How can we ensure effective training for the classroom workplace on professional learning days?” Signed, A pre-service teaching professorA: Professional learning (PL) days are invaluable opportunities to refine skills, explore innovations, and foster collaboration. Yet, without thoughtful planning, these sessions risk becoming passive lectures that fail to translate into improvements in the classroom or workplace. Unfortunately, this happens often.
Handling leadership stress

1 month ago | kappanonline.org | Kathleen Vail

Q: I’m struggling mightily with my position in senior leadership. I’m a superintendent and I’m currently dealing with a difficult school board. To manage my stress, I’ve turned to unhealthy habits like drinking alcohol. How can I make better choices and take care of myself while dealing with the stress? I know this isn’t sustainable.
Knowing when to intervene with struggling students

2 months ago | kappanonline.org | Kathleen Vail

Q: “I’m struggling with when to intervene when I see students struggling, even if it is productive. I know that this is an important part of the learning process, but sometimes I intervene too early and save them from the learning, and sometimes too late, and the students quit on themselves.
How to help students cope with disappointment

2 months ago | kappanonline.org | Starr Sackstein |Kathleen Vail

Q: I work with elementary-aged students who are excited to participate in class. I love their enthusiasm and don’t want to quash it. Unfortunately, students get upset when they aren’t called on to share. How can I support students who don’t have an immediate opportunity to share when they aren’t called on first? How can I help them work through their disappointment so they know they will have other opportunities?
Ways to encourage students to move in math class

2 months ago | kappanonline.org | Starr Sackstein |Kathleen Vail

Q: My high school math students are struggling to stay in their seats. Do you have advice on bringing more movement into my classroom? Signed, A high school math teacherA: Many educators face the challenge of keeping students engaged and focused, especially in a subject like math, which is sometimes perceived as dry or overly rigid. Fortunately, there are numerous strategies to infuse movement into your classroom, helping to improve focus, energy levels, and overall learning outcomes.
Bridging the Gap Between Student Disengagement and Motivation

2 months ago | kappanonline.org | Starr Sackstein |Kathleen Vail

Q: How do you engage students who don’t want to be in school while nurturing highly motivated students? — Signed, Dean of studentsA: Among the most pressing challenges an educator faces is effectively engaging students who are disinterested in school while simultaneously nurturing highly motivated ones. Striking a balance between these two groups can be complex, but we can create an inclusive learning environment that fosters student growth with the right strategies.
Ways to stay motivated when students aren't

Mar 27, 2025 | kappanonline.org | Starr Sackstein |Kathleen Vail

Q: “How do I stay motivated to innovate and avoid burnout when students aren’t motivated, and educators and their administrators have defaulted to non-tech or low-tech?”-Signed, A teacher looking for helpA: As we continue to navigate the complexities of teaching, many of us find ourselves grappling with burnout and a dip in motivation — on the part of students and ourselves.