Kappan

1 week 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?

2 weeks 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.

3 weeks 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.

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.

1 month ago | kappanonline.org | Teresa Preston

At a GlanceAmerican education has focused on reading for decades, with little effect on student performance. The growth of artificial intelligence creates opportunities to access information in different ways that may involve less actual reading. Educators need to look ahead to the types of literacy people will need in the future.