In this article the author describes virtual coaching and why it is so effective. The following six points of virtual coaching are explained: (1) Also known as bug-in-ear coaching, virtual coaching is not new; (2) Virtual coaching can save money and time; (3) Bug-in-ear coaching increases the frequency of observations for novice teachers; (4) It…

Many districts have formal induction and mentoring programs to assist teachers new to the district. However, if you are in a district that does not, seeking out an experienced, positive, and trustworthy colleague will help you to navigate the beginning of a rewarding career. It is essential to remember that asking for help is absolutely critical…

This article provides a description of the birth of The Odyssey Initiative. As teachers, this group of three, all educators, knew that there was outrage about the state of education in America. Griping about our nation's schools has almost become a pastime, and with very good reason. However, they found the solutions being offered to save our…

Want to stand out? Be willing to take risks. Word gets around; kids compare notes. They learn who the fun teachers are and who does the most interesting stuff. In this article, the authors share strategies for managing the classroom, showcasing student work, dressing for success, and more.

What makes the difference between a good teacher and a great one? Knowing one's content is important, but having strong leadership skills can tip the scales from mediocrity to excellence. The best time to begin practicing being a teacher leader is during the preservice years. By practicing leadership skills, one can begin to view oneself not only…

Children learn both verbal and nonverbal communication strategies by imitating parents, teachers, and other significant people in their lives. However, most American parents converse with their children for only about 38 minutes per week. In contrast, teachers might communicate with children for up to seven hours each weekday. Each day, teachers…

The disintegration of teacher certification programs in the united States holds an eerie similarity to the recent meltdown of American financial institutions. Similarly, the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, whose purported purpose was to ensure that all students get highly qualified teachers (HQT), has had an unintentionally devastating effect on…

University schools of education are challenged to prepare future teachers using best practices. Knowledge of brain research helps provide one piece of a multidisciplinary conceptual framework for educators as they articulate and enhance effective teaching. This qualitative study discovered recommendations for the best brain-compatible…

The society is violent, the urban neighborhoods are violent, and the schools are violent. People who want to teach in urban schools need to recognize the reality of the situation they will enter. Beginning teachers must recognize that preventing violence is an integral part of their legitimate work; the more effective they are at empowering…

For fifteen years, the presenter has engaged college students in discussions and writing assignments that pertain to the outstanding characteristics of their most effective teachers--"effective" meaning that these teachers made the most significant impact on their lives. Based on those recurring themes, the conclusion is that effective teachers…

This paper excerpts a report based on the National Academy of Education's "Preparing Teachers for a Changing World: What Teachers Should Learn and Be Able to Do," which summarizes research on learning, teaching, and teacher education. In this article, the authors discuss how teachers can prepare to become highly qualified and how they can acquire…

For many years, the Gallup Organization has studied the characteristics that identify teachers' and counselors' talents. Recently, the Gallup Education Division has developed a book titled "Teach With Your Strengths" that explores the unique ways in which teachers think, feel and behave. The book explores three principles of great teachers that…

The aim of many educators is to help youth reach their maximum potential. The Clifton Youth StrengthsExplorer gives teachers a tool to help identify the talents of their students, as well as actionable suggestions for utilizing those talents. Such information can help teachers to individualize the ways in which they respond to youths, and the…

Each January, a meeting of the National School Reform Faculty (NSRF) enables educators to hone skills and deepen conversations they have experienced in coaches' seminars sponsored by NSRF Critical Friends Groups (CFGs). In this article, the author details that they use highly structured protocols to examine examples of their students' work and…

Much criticism has it that teachers are ill prepared in college for the reality of their jobs in schools. Little attention has been paid, however, to how teachers are subjected, once they have been hired, to group-think processes of indoctrination, usually called "staff development." Staff development works not infrequently to increase their…