Phyllis Fagell

Washington, D.C.

Freelance Journalist at Freelance

Author: MIDDLE SCHOOL MATTERS & MIDDLE SCHOOL SUPERPOWERS. K-12 counselor & therapist. Journalist: @WashingtonPost @CNN. Find me on Instagram/Threads: @pfagell.

Featured in:

linkedin.com Favicon

cnn.com

washingtonpost.com Favicon

nbcnews.com Favicon

sfgate.com Favicon

smh.com.au Favicon

usnews.com Favicon

chicagotribune.com Favicon

sagepub.com Favicon

scmp.com + 113 more

Articles

Reflections on eight years of Career Confidential

Sep 10, 2024 | kappanonline.org | Phyllis Fagell |Teresa Preston

More than six years ago, Kappan interviewed me about what I had learned through writing the Career Confidential advice column. Since then, I’ve written hundreds of columns about education workplace-related issues. While I’ve made the difficult decision to pass the baton to someone new, I’d like to reflect one last time on what I’ve learned, what has changed, and what has stayed the same over the last decade.
Teacher frustrated district 'undervalues' the arts

Jun 3, 2024 | kappanonline.org | Phyllis Fagell |Teresa Preston

Q: I’m a professional artist and art teacher. I firmly believe the arts are every bit as critical to a functioning, healthy society as core subject areas, for so many reasons. To name a few, they teach students how to think creatively and solve complex problems. They develop students’ self-awareness and improve their critical-thinking skills, focus, and self-confidence. Research has even shown that kids who are involved in arts education perform better academically.
Teaching assistant won’t address unwanted behaviors - Kappan Online

May 6, 2024 | kappanonline.org | Phyllis Fagell |Teresa Preston

Q: I know I’m a good teacher, but one class may put me over the edge. The students are all over the place. The primary challenge is that several kids are disrespectful, and their behavior disrupts others. Because this particular class because the section includes many high-need students with IEPS and 504 Plans, I have a teaching assistant. While I’m thrilled to have another adult in the room, the assistant teacher only will attend to kids who have learning needs.
Principal found out about teacher's job search

Apr 22, 2024 | kappanonline.org | Phyllis Fagell |Teresa Preston

Q: I teach 9th-grade English and am generally left alone to do my job the way I like, and my students are engaged and fun. I don’t dislike my job. But several colleagues who’ve been unhappy openly shared that they are looking elsewhere, and that triggered my restlessness. I’ve been at my school for six years. While that may not sound like a long time, I’m in my early 30s, and this is the only school where I’ve worked. I think I may be ready for something new.
Principal is drinking on the job

Apr 15, 2024 | kappanonline.org | Phyllis Fagell |Teresa Preston

Q: The principal at my school is widely believed to have a drinking problem. I know of at least two people who have told her supervisor that she drinks on the job (and is a belligerent drunk to boot). Nevertheless, no one ever addresses the situation, and she returns to lead the school year after year. Every year, she returns even more short-tempered, disorganized, and inappropriate than before.
It’s time to give caregivers more support

Apr 10, 2024 | albanyherald.com | Phyllis Fagell

(CNN) — CNN — At some point, most people will become provide care for a loved one, whether their children, spouses or parents—and likely be the recipient of such care themselves. While those who are wealthy, like comedian Jay Leno, have the money to provide daily care for his wife, Mavis, who has dementia, everyone struggles with the diminished capacity that can come from having another human being rely on you for their well-being.
How to be a caregiver and get the support you need

Apr 10, 2024 | cnn.com | Phyllis Fagell |Elissa Strauss |Katia Hetter

Phyllis L. Fagell, a licensed clinical professional counselor and nationally certified school counselor, is the author of “Middle School Matters” and “Middle School Superpowers.”CNN — At some point, most people will provide care for a loved one, whether their children, spouses or parents — and likely be the recipient of such care themselves.
Teacher knows her colleague is about to be put on a performance improvement plan

Apr 1, 2024 | kappanonline.org | Phyllis Fagell |Teresa Preston

Q: I’m a teacher and pretty close to an assistant principal who confidentially shared with me that she is putting one of my colleagues on a performance improvement plan. Unfortunately, I’m also close to the teacher in question. I know she has no idea that this is coming. I wish I didn’t know either, to be honest, but now I do, and I want to help my colleague without betraying the assistant principal’s confidence.
Parents blaming teacher for child’s misbehavior

Mar 18, 2024 | kappanonline.org | Phyllis Fagell

Q: I keep calling my student’s parents hoping they will partner with me after their son has been rude and disrespectful yet again. This is an ongoing problem. He is disruptive to others, curses in class, does anything but work, and isn’t responsive to any of my usual interventions. No one else in the class is struggling as much as this kid is struggling to behave. I know I can continue to try other strategies and document and involve administrators etc. etc. etc., but that’s not the help I need.
Teacher is struggling to address a colleague’s child’s needs

Mar 10, 2024 | kappanonline.org | Phyllis Fagell

Q: I teach a colleague’s 8th-grade son. She’s someone I like and consider a work friend. We get along well and make a point of inquiring about each other’s families and personal lives. I know she’s a single mom, too, so she’s balancing a lot. Here’s the problem. Her son is struggling daily. He storms out of the room or throws things whenever he gets frustrated, which is often, as he reads at about a 4th-grade level. He also is disrespectful to me and his classmates.