Establishing a student-centered classroom environment where learning puts students' interests first is essential for middle school students to learn and thrive. Student success does not simply rely on instruction; it relies on external factors such as school and classroom climate, positive relationships with their teachers and other adults, and a…

To build capacity for students in educational leadership programs, we developed a teaching case study focused on managing emotion for ethical decision making in supervision of personnel. The case offers troubling encounters between a secondary assistant principal and a novice teacher, a veteran teacher, and a veteran administrator. Scenarios…

Our nation's moment of reckoning with the deficit view of multilingual learners has arrived. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exposed and exacerbated long-standing inequities that stand in the way of MLs' access to effective instruction. Recent events have also caused us to reflect on our place as educators within the intersection of race and…

This no-nonsense handbook from a working principal helps school leaders bring transformational change to struggling or underperforming schools. Based on the wisdom and experience gained during the author's years as a teacher and principal in Chicago public schools, the book shows you how to become a visionary leader and build a culture of respect…

Questions are the most important tool a teacher can use to build a community of thinkers. This practical guide provides teachers with a step-by-step process for implementing a set of questioning strategies known as the Questioning Cycle. This strategy supports teachers in planning and asking questions, assessing students' responses, and following…

By understanding how the brain works, educators are better equipped to help students with everything from focusing attention to increasing retention. That's the promise of brain-based learning, which draws insights from neurology, psychology, technology, and other fields. Bringing this information to the classroom can help teachers engage diverse…

The film "BULLY" follows five stories of children and families who are affected deeply by bullying within the course of a school year. With intimate glimpses into homes, classrooms, cafeterias, and principals' offices, the film offers insight into the lives of bullied, ridiculed children. Historically, seemingly small instances of…

Designed for district- and school-level character education committees, "Character Education by Design: A Blueprint for Successful District and School Initiatives" is a how-to guide for developing an effective character education initiative, one that will not only enhance the climate of the school and social behavior of the students, but…

"Ready, Set, Respect!" provides a set of tools to help elementary school educators ensure that all students feel safe and respected and develop respectful attitudes and behaviors. It is not a program to be followed but instead is designed to help educators prepare themselves for teaching about and modeling respect. The toolkit responds to…

Discusses ways that the vocational teacher can provide a good environment for learning. Techniques include (1) knowing the students, (2) planning instruction, (3) preparing physical surroundings, (4) fostering good relationships with and among students, (5) varying strategies, (6) providing praise, and (7) sponsoring a vocational student…

Presents five exercises, based on the "Chilly Climate" papers, designed to enhance faculty and staff sensitivity to the need of providing a comfortable learning environment for women. Covers definition of sexism, pronouns as power, gender differences in experiences with sexism, incorporating feminist scholarship into traditional courses,…

This book describes how schools can promote positive and orderly climates that ensure learning. The text is divided into two parts. Part 1 looks at general concerns and provides a survey of discipline problems that public schools face and how the public views these problems. It discusses regularities, responsibility, and reinforcement--the three…

Describes the author's experiences and eventual success of teaching Spanish as a Second Language in Puerto Rico. Notes one student's success in eradicating his self-imposed barriers to learning a second language. Discusses three key principles for building a safe learning climate for students. (SR)

Responses from 191 college students suggest that they are most interested in learning about course content and the instructor at the first session. Effectiveness of the first session is enhanced by attention to physical space, temperature, lighting, and equipment; personal greeting; and explanation of the relevance of course content. (SK)

Sustaining results-oriented team efforts is hard work, and achieving diversified solutions to complex issues over time requires commitment an creativity. To support the momentum of learning communities, this book provides an illustrated collection of ready-to-use tools and examples of plans in action for results-oriented faculty and staff.…