Category: Teacher

How to Differentiate Instruction in Your Classroom for Maximum Student Achievement

If you’re new to differentiated instruction, we’ve got some tips that will help you design a classroom learning environment where every student is able to succeed. Learn how teachers differentiate instruction and provide a variety of instructional strategies that cater to each individual’s unique needs.

Differentiated instruction is one of the best ways to ensure that all students in your classroom are able to achieve success. It can be a bit tricky to set up, but once you get the hang of it, it’s a breeze! Personalising learning to meets the needs of each individual student in your class is the optimum goal. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips for differentiating instruction in your classroom.

1. What is Differentiated Instruction?

Differentiated instruction is a teaching approach that takes into account the different learning needs of each student in a classroom. By using a variety of instructional methods and materials, teachers can cater to the unique needs of each child, making sure that every student has an equal opportunity to learn. Differentiated instruction is especially important in inclusive classrooms, where students with different abilities are taught together. By using a variety of instructional methods, teachers can make sure that all students are able to access the curriculum and make progress in their learning. In addition, differentiated instruction can also help to engage all students in learning, making it an instructional approach that is beneficial for all students.

2. How to set up differentiated instruction in the classroom

As a teacher, it is important to try to reach all of your students, regardless of their abilities. Differentiated instruction is one way to do this. Differentiated instruction is a teaching method that takes into account the different learning needs of each student. There are three main ways to differentiate instruction: content, process, and product. When differentiating content, you can modify the subject matter to make it more accessible for struggling students or more challenging for advanced students. For example, you might provide a (simplified) article on the same topic for struggling readers and a (more complex) article for advanced readers. When differentiating process, you can provide different activities for different groups of students. For example, you might have students work in pairs to solve a math problem, while others complete the problem on their own. When differentiating product, you can provide different assignments or assessments for different students. Another example; you might have students create a poster to explain a concept, while others write an essay on the same topic.

3. Tips for differentiating instruction in your classroom

Differentiated instruction is a teaching method that takes into account the different learning styles and abilities of your students. By providing a variety of activities and materials, you can ensure that all your students are able to engage with the material and make progress in their learning. Here are some tips for differentiating instruction in your classroom:

  • Get to know your students and their individual needs. This will help you to identify areas where they may need extra support or challenge.
  • Plan ahead and be prepared to adapt your lessons on the fly. Having a few different activities or approaches ready to go will make it easier to switch things up if needed.
  • Encourage student collaboration. Working in small groups or pairs can be a great way to provide

4. Resources to learn more about differentiating instruction

As a teacher, you are always looking for ways to improve your instruction and better meet the needs of your students. Differentiating instruction is a research-based approach that can help you do just that. There are many resources available to help you learn more about how to differentiate instruction. Here are just a few:

The Differentiated Classroom: Responding to the Needs of All Learners by Carol Ann Tomlinson is considered the Bible when it comes to differentiation. In this book, Tomlinson provides an overview of what differentiation is and why it is so important. She also offers practical strategies for differentiating instruction in the classroom.

The Starter Kit for Differentiated Instruction is another great article for teachers interested in differentiation. This was is written by Jennifer Gonzalez, a teacher and author. Gonzalez provides weekly posts on a variety of topics related to differentiation, as well as ideas and resources for teachers.

Finally, the website Differentiation Central is a comprehensive resource for teachers interested in differentiation. This site offers an overview of differentiating instruction, articles and videos from experts in the field, and ideas and resources for implementing differentiation in your classroom.

Final Thoughts:

Differentiating instruction is a great way to meet the needs of all your students. By taking into account the different learning styles and abilities of your students, you can ensure that everyone is able to engage with the material and make progress in their learning. There are many resources available to help you learn more about differentiation, so be sure to explore them and find what works best for you and your students.

Happy Differentiating!

How to Improve Instruction: Practical Tips for Teachers

We all want our students to learn, and as a teacher, you are the key factor in their success. In this blog post, we will discuss some specific ways that you can help your students learn more effectively. Improve instruction by following these tips today!

Are you looking for ways to improve instruction in your classroom? If so, you’re in luck! In this blog post, we will discuss a few practical tips that can help teachers make their lessons more effective. Improving instruction can be difficult, but it is definitely worth the effort. When students are able to learn effectively, it leads to better academic outcomes and a more successful future.

1. Make your classroom a place where students want to be

As a teacher, one of your primary goals should be to create a classroom environment that is inviting and enjoyable for your students. If your students feel happy and comfortable in your classroom, they will be more engaged in learning and more likely to achieve success. There are many simple ways to make your classroom more inviting, such as adding some colorful posters or using fun themes for your bulletin boards. You can also try to vary your lesson plans so that they include a mix of activities, such as whole-group instruction, small-group work, and individual projects. By taking some time to create a pleasant and stimulating environment in your classroom, you can help ensure that your students have a positive experience and are motivated to learn.

2. Use student-centered teaching methods

When it comes to teaching, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. However, student-centered methods have been shown to be effective in a wide range of classrooms. These methods allow students to take an active role in their learning by encouraging them to ask questions, seek out resources, and work collaboratively. In addition, student-centered methods often make use of technology, which can engage students who might otherwise be disengaged. As a result, student-centered teaching methods can provide a more engaging and effective learning experience for all students.

3. Include opportunities for creativity and critical thinking in lessons

As any educator knows, it is important to engage students in the material being taught. One way to do this is to include opportunities for creativity and critical thinking in lessons. When students are given the chance to be creative, they are more likely to be engaged and invested in the material. Additionally, critical thinking helps students to analyze and synthesize information, which deepens their understanding of the subject matter. Including opportunities for both creativity and critical thinking can help to ensure that students are actively engaged in the learning process.

4. Build relationships with students by being approachable and understanding their needs

Teachers play an important role in the lives of their students, and the relationships they build can have a lasting impact. One way to create strong relationships with students is to be approachable and understanding of their needs. When students feel comfortable talking to their teachers, they are more likely to open up about their challenges and ask for help when needed. In addition, teachers should take the time to get to know their students as individuals, so that they can better understand their unique needs. By building strong relationships with students, teachers can create a positive learning environment where all students can thrive.

5. Provide feedback that is timely, specific, constructive, and appropriate for the age

When it comes to providing feedback, teachers need to strike the right balance. On the one hand, students need timely feedback in order to understand where they need to improve. On the other hand, too much feedback can be overwhelming and lead to confusion. The key is to provide feedback that is specific and constructive, but also age-appropriate. For younger students, this might mean breaking down each task into smaller steps and providing positive reinforcement for correct answers. For older students, on the other hand, more detailed explanations may be necessary. In either case, it is important to avoid being overly critical or negative in your comments. Instead, focus on helping students to see where they can improve and what they are doing well.

Final Thoughts

The takeaway from all of this is that effective teachers are always looking for ways to improve their instruction. They know that the best way to help their students learn is by constantly reflecting on their own practice and making adjustments. If you’re an educator, I hope these tips have given you some ideas about how you can reflect on your teaching and continue to grow as a teacher.

How to Help a Teacher Get Out of Their Rut

Sometimes all it takes is a little guidance and encouragement from their peers to reignite the passion for teaching in a teacher who may be experiencing a career plateau.

There are times when certain employment activities reach a plateau. In most cases, downsizing, re-structuring, mergers and acquisitions, long years at the same school, or boredom in midcareer might result in a plateauing of progress for teachers (and principals). People who have done well in the past and are high achievers sometimes lose their spark. They become disillusioned and frustrated. Their morale and productivity decline over time. Here’s how you can help a staff member get out of their rut…

1. Talk to them about their goals and objectives.

If a teacher is stuck in a rut, the first thing you should do is have a conversation with them about their goals and aspirations. What are they looking to achieve in their career? What kind of growth do they want to see? By having this conversation, you can get a better understanding of what they’re hoping to accomplish and how you can help them get there.

2. Help them identify their passions.

Part of the reason why someone may be in a rut is because they’re not sure what they’re passionate about. If this is the case, sit down with them and help them brainstorm a list of things they’re interested in. This can be anything from a hobby they enjoy to a cause they care deeply about. Once they have a better understanding of what they’re passionate about, it’ll be easier for them to find motivation and purpose in their work.

3. Encourage them to take on new challenges.

One of the best ways to help someone get out of a rut is to encourage them to take on new challenges. This could mean anything from learning a new skill to taking on a more difficult project. By pushing themselves outside of their comfort zone, they’ll be able to grow and develop in their career.

4. Connect them with other like-minded individuals.

If someone is struggling to find motivation, connect them with other like-minded individuals. This could be done by setting up collaborative time with someone they can relate to. By surrounding themselves with people who have similar interests, they’ll be more likely to find the inspiration they need.

5. Help them create a plan.

Once you’ve helped a teacher identify their goals, it’s time to create a plan of action. This plan should include short-term and long-term goals as well as a timeline for each goal. By having a plan in place, they’ll be more likely to stay on track and achieve the success they’re looking for.

If you have a teacher who seems to be stuck in a rut, use these tips to help them get back on track. By taking the time to understand their goals and assist them in finding their passions, you can play a pivotal role in their career development.

Want to learn how to be a better teacher? Get to know your school principal.

School principals are often the unsung heroes of the education system. They never leave the classroom, and they are the teachers’ teacher. Principals have a unique perspective on teaching and learning, and they play a vital role in the success of their students. Through getting to know your school principal can help teachers improve their teaching skills to better serve their students.

There are a few things that teachers can do to support their principal in leading the school community. First, get to know your principal and learn about their vision for the school. What are their goals and objectives? What is their philosophy on education? What motivates them? Once you have a good understanding of your principal’s goals, you can help to support them in achieving these objectives.

Second, be a team player. Collaborate with your principal and other teachers to create a positive learning environment for all students. Work together to identify areas of improvement and brainstorm solutions. Be open to feedback and willing to try new things. Step outside the classroom and help your principal with tasks that need to be completed.

While principals play a critical role in school improvement, they cannot do it alone. In order to be successful, principals must work collaboratively with their teachers. By working together, they can create an environment that is conducive to learning and provide the support that teachers need to be successful. When everyone is working together towards a common goal, the students will benefit.

Third, take an active role in professional development. Principals are always looking for ways to improve the quality of education, and they need the support of their teachers to make this happen. Attend professional development workshops or online webinars, and most importantly, share your knowledge with other teachers.

Lastly, show your appreciation for your principal. Let them know that you appreciate their dedication to the school and its students. Send them a thank you note or write a positive review online. Small gestures can go a long way in showing your support for your principal.

School principals play an important role in the education system, and they need the support of their teachers to be successful. By getting to know your principal, being a team player, and taking an active role in professional development, you can help to support your principal in leading the way to a bright future for all students.

You’re a great teacher. Co-teaching can make you even better.

Collaborative approaches to learning can engage students and improve results. How can schools implement this instructional strategy?

For many years, teaching has been seen as a passive profession. The teacher stands in front of the class and delivers information to students who are expected to regurgitate it back on exams. However, times are changing. Teaching is now being seen as an active profession where collaboration and intentional forward planning around a data informed evidence base places the student at the centre of the teaching and learning process. As schools create optimal learning spaces to engage students, co-teaching is one way that this shift can take place.

Co-teaching is an instructional strategy in which two or more teachers work together to deliver content to a group of students. This can be done in a variety of ways, but the most common model is infusing co-teaching via David Thornburg’s three archetypal learning spaces. There are many benefits to this approach, including increased student engagement and improved achievement.

Benefits of Co-Teaching

One of the key benefits of co-teaching is that it allows for different students to be reached. In a traditional classroom, the teacher is responsible for delivering content to all students. This can be a challenge, especially if there are students with different learning styles or abilities. With co-teaching, each teacher can focus on a different group of students, which can help to meet the needs of all learners.

Another benefit of co-teaching is that it provides an opportunity for teachers to collaborate. This can be a valuable professional development experience, as it allows teachers to share their expertise and learn from each other. Collaboration also helps to build relationships between teachers, which can make it easier to work together on future projects.

One of the challenges of co-teaching is that it can be difficult to find the right balance between the two teachers. It is important to ensure that both teachers are contributing equally and that each teacher has an opportunity to share their expertise. Another challenge is finding time to plan and prepare for co-teaching sessions. This can be a challenge, especially if teachers are already working with a full class load.

Despite the challenges, there are many benefits to co-teaching. When done well, it can help to improve student achievement and engagement. It also provides an opportunity for teachers to collaborate and learn from each other. If you are interested in exploring co-teaching, there are a few resources that can help you get started.

The first step is to find a partner. This can be another teacher at your school or someone you know who is also interested in co-teaching. Once you have found a partner, the next step is to decide what content you will teach together. It is important to choose a topic that you are both comfortable with and that will benefit from the co-teaching approach. Once you have chosen a topic, you will need to plan and prepare for your sessions. This includes creating materials, developing activities, and choosing assessment strategies.

Once you have planned and prepared for your co-teaching sessions, it is time to implement them. This can be done in a variety of ways, but the most important thing is to ensure that both teachers are involved and that each student has an opportunity to learn. After each session, it is important to reflect on what went well and what could be improved. This will help you to improve your co-teaching approach and make the most of this instructional strategy.

Co-Teaching Skill Set

Co-teaching is a valuable instructional strategy that can help to improve student achievement however it needs a specific skill set. The skills needed for co-teaching vary depending on the type of co-teaching arrangement you choose to use. However, there are a few skills that are essential for all types of co-teaching. These include the ability to collaborate, communicate effectively, and plan collaboratively.

Collaboration is essential for co-teaching. This includes the ability to work together to develop plans, create materials, and choose activities. It is also important to be able to communicate effectively with each other. This includes being able to share ideas, give feedback, and resolve conflicts.

Planning is another essential skill for co-teaching. This includes the ability to develop a plan that meets the needs of all learners. It is also important to be able to adapt the plan as needed. This may include making changes to activities, materials, or assessment strategies.

Co-Teaching Arrangements

There are a variety of co-teaching arrangements that you can use. The most important thing is to choose an arrangement that will meet the needs of your students. Some common arrangements include:

Station Teaching: In this arrangement, each teacher is responsible for a specific content area or skill. Students rotate through stations, with each station being led by a different teacher.

Parallel Teaching: In this arrangement, both teachers teach the same content to different groups of students. This allows for small group instruction and differentiation.

Team Teaching: In this arrangement, both teachers teach the entire lesson together. This allows for more collaboration between the teachers and allows for more student interaction.

Peer Tutoring: In this arrangement, students work in pairs to help each other learn. This can be done with a specific assignment or task.

There are many benefits to using co-teaching to improve student achievement. However, it is important to keep in mind that this instructional strategy requires specific use of learning spaces.

Learning Spaces

Futurist, David Thornburg offers three archetypal learning spaces to support co-teaching practices. They are the campfire, the watering hole and the cave. Each of these spaces has its own unique benefits and can be used in different ways to meet the needs of students.

The campfire is a space where students can come together to learn. This space is often used for whole group instruction. The benefit of this space is that it allows for student interaction and collaboration.

The watering hole is a space where students can go to receive individualized instruction. This space is often used for small group instruction or one-on-one instruction. The benefit of this space is that it allows for students to receive the attention they need in order to learn.

The cave is a space where students can go to work independently. This space is often used for independent work or for working on assignments. The benefit of this space is that it allows for students to work at their own pace and to complete work on their own time.

Each of these spaces has its own benefits. It is important to choose the right space for the needs of your students. When you are using co-teaching to improve student achievement, it is important to use all three spaces in order to meet the needs of all learners.

Final Thoughts

As we move into the future of education, it is important to explore different instructional strategies that can help to improve student learning. Co-teaching is one such strategy that can offer many benefits. If you are a teacher, how have you used co-teaching in your classroom? What tips would you offer to others who are interested in using this instructional strategy? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

5 Teacher Retention Tips to Keep Your Best Educators

The five tips for retaining your best teachers will help you create a positive and supportive environment. Here’s how you can ensure continuity of learning in your school, maintain high standards, and make sure students are receiving the best education possible.

It’s no secret that teacher retention is a challenge not just in Australia but across the globe. In 2019, the House Standing Committee on Employment, Education began a federal inquiry into the state of the teaching profession to look at methods for retaining teachers in Australian schools. The impetus for this study was the fact that, between 2015 and 2017, university Initial Teacher Education course applications had dropped by up to 40%. This is a huge problem and the impact is being felt now with massive shortages across the country. Here are five tips that will help you retain your best teachers and help with continuity of learning.

Tip #01: Offer Professional Development Opportunities

One of the best ways to retain your teachers is to offer them professional development opportunities. This can be in the form of attending conferences, participating in online courses, or even taking on special assignments such as mentoring new teachers. Professional development allows educators to learn new strategies and keep up with the latest teaching methods. It also helps them feel appreciated and valued, which can be a major factor in deciding to stay with a school or not.

Tip #02: Show Appreciation

It’s always important to show your appreciation for your teachers. One way to do this is by thanking them for their hard work. Teachers are often overworked and underpaid, so any little bit of appreciation goes a long way.

Tip #03: Let Them Teach

One of the biggest complaints teachers have is that they’re not allowed to teach. This can be due to restrictive curricula, micromanagement from school leaders, or a lack of autonomy. Allowing your teachers to teach allows them to engage with their students and helps them feel like they’re making a difference. It also gives them a sense of ownership and builds a connection with the school community.

Tip #04: Create a Positive Work Environment

A positive work environment is key to retaining your teachers. This includes creating a supportive team atmosphere, providing adequate resources, and offering reasonable workloads. It’s also important to have a clear vision and mission for the school, as this will help educators feel like they’re part of something larger than themselves.

Tip #05: Give Them a Voice

One of the best ways to show that you value your teachers is to give them a voice. This means listening to their ideas and feedback, and taking them into account when making decisions about the school. It also means giving them a say in how the school is run and what policies are implemented. Teachers will feel more valued and appreciated if they’re given a voice in the school community.

Final Thoughts:

These are just five tips for retaining your best teachers. There are many other things you can do to create a positive and supportive environment, such as offering job security, providing mentorship programs, and establishing career advancement opportunities. By following these tips, you can help ensure continuity of learning in your school and maintain the high standards you’ve set.

How to Assess Your Teaching Effectiveness: Collection, Analysis and Evaluation of Data

In order to ensure that our students are learning what they need to know, it’s important for teachers to be effective in their assessment practices. Here’s how you can get started.

Teacher effectiveness is a hot topic in education. Teachers are constantly under pressure to assess their teaching effectiveness and improve their practice. There are many different ways to assess teaching effectiveness, but the data you collect, analyse and evaluate play a key role.

Assessment is an important part of any teacher’s toolkit. By collecting, analyzing and evaluating data on student learning, teachers can make informed decisions about how best to teach their students. Using assessment judgements wisely can help teachers improve their teaching delivery and ensure that their students are learning what they need to know. But what does this really mean? And how can teachers go about it in a meaningful way?

If you don’t know what to assess, you won’t know what to teach. To assess your teaching effectiveness, you first need to know what to assess. This means being clear about the goals and objectives of your teaching. What do you want your students to learn? What skills do you want them to develop? Once you have a good understanding of your goals and objectives, you can start thinking about how to best assess whether or not your students are achieving them.

There are many different ways to collect data on student learning. One way to collect data is through formative assessments. Formative assessments are ongoing evaluations of student learning that take place throughout the course of a unit or lesson. They can take many different forms, but often involve activities like quizzes, exit slips, or classroom discussions. Formative assessments help you to understand what your students are learning in real-time, and can be used to adjust your instruction accordingly.

Another way to collect data is through summative assessments. Summative assessments are evaluations of student learning that take place at the end of a unit or lesson. They often take the form of tests or final projects. Summative assessments help you to understand what your students have learned over the course of a unit, and can be used to inform future instruction.

Once you have collected data on student learning, it is important to analyze and evaluate that data. This will help you to identify areas of strengths and weaknesses in your teaching, as well as areas where your students are struggling. Once you have identified these areas, you can start to think about ways to address them.

The final step in assessing your teaching effectiveness is using the data to improve your practice. This means taking the information you have gathered and using it to make changes to your teaching methods. If you find that your students are struggling with a certain skill, for example, you might need to adjust your instruction in order to help them learn it better.

Assessment is an important part of any teacher’s toolkit. By collecting, analyzing and evaluating data on student learning, teachers can make informed decisions about how best to teach their students. Using assessment judgements wisely can help teachers improve their teaching delivery and ensure that their students are learning what they need to know.

  1. Collection of data is the first step in any assessment process. Teachers need to gather information about what students know and can do, before they can begin to analyse it and make judgements about teaching effectiveness. This can be done through a variety of means, such as tests, quizzes, observations or interviews. It is important that teachers collect data in a systematic way, so that they can compare and contrast results over time.
  2. Analysis of data is where teachers begin to identify patterns and trends in student learning. They examine how well students are performing on different tasks, and try to understand why some students are struggling more than others. This process allows teachers to identify areas for improvement in their teaching practice.
  3. Evaluation of data is the final stage in the assessment process. This is where teachers make judgement about the effectiveness of their teaching, and decide what changes need to be made in order to improve student learning. Evaluation involves setting goals and target areas for improvement, and developing plans to achieve these.

Teachers need to use data collection, analysis and evaluation in order to assess their teaching effectiveness and improve their practice. By using these tools, teachers can identify areas for improvement and make informed decisions about how to best help students learn. With careful planning and implementation, data-driven assessment can help teachers deliver more effective instruction and improve student outcomes.

Do you have any tips for assessing teaching effectiveness? Share them in the comments below!

Teachers Work in Very Complex Settings

Teachers Work in Very Complex Settings

As principal, I have been spending a lot of time inside classrooms as I learn more about the teaching and learning within my new school. With a heavily instructional focus, our teachers and actively engaged in facilitating learning for each individual child. So much so that in a single day our primary classroom teachers may participate in more than 1 000 interpersonal exchanges with students. Not only do teachers have numerous interactions with students, they must also interpret complex classroom behaviour on the spot. It is not surprising that most teachers are tired at the end of the day.

Because teachers constantly respond to the immediate needs of the students while they teach, they have little time during teaching to consider future planning for their class. This classroom preparation is completed outside school time often unseen by the general parent population and reflects the complex events that occur within the classroom.

It is not always easy to understand the day to day life of a competent teacher, until “you walk in their shoes”. When teachers make decisions about the activity within their classrooms the following aspects of classroom settings must be taken into consideration.

  1. Many different tasks and events exist in the classroom. Records and schedules must be kept and work must be monitored, collected and evaluated. A single event can have multiple consequences.
  2. Many things happen at the same time in classrooms. During a discussion, a teacher not only listens and helps to improve students’ answers but also monitors students who do not respond for signs of comprehension and tries to keep the lesson moving at a good pace.
  3. The pace of classroom events is rapid. Research suggests that teachers evaluated pupil conduct in public on the average of 15.89 times per hour or 87 times per day or an estimated 16 000 times a year (read Sieber, R. T. (1979) ‘Classmates as workmates: Informal peer activity in the elementary school’ for more detail). Time is all too important and needs to be utilised carefully.
  4. While a teacher is thoroughly prepared for each day often many events that occur are unanticipated. These include interruptions, student behaviour, achievement levels and expectations. Furthermore, much of what happens to a student is seen by many other students as well and they make their own judgments. Student esteem is important and therefore decisions need to be consistent.
  5. Actions, programmes and expectations all play a part in developing background for decision making. Research suggests that history often influences that way classrooms run (We have all heard of the great class and of the difficult class). No single strategy, approach, or technique works with all students and teachers need to call upon their repertoire of teaching skills, knowledge and at times, intuition to help decide the best path forward for a child’s learning.

Schooling has become more complex in recent years with teachers dealing with many issues and circumstances that take them away from their main instructional tasks. To increase the positive aspects of schooling it is imperative that support for our teachers is publicly acclaimed. Remember, self esteem of teachers is an important part of the education process. Be proud of them!!

Re-Entry to School Buildings Post COVID-19

t has been bandied across the social media platforms that education and how we deliver learning will need to change to address the “new normal”. Given the paradigm shift schools have faced in recent time, we cannot simply return to the pre COVID-19 approach to teaching and learning. Our experience has shaped us and informed us on how to best connect with students and engage them in their learning.

It has been bandied across the social media platforms that education and how we deliver learning will need to change to address the “new normal”. Given the paradigm shift schools have faced in recent time, we cannot simply return to the pre COVID-19 approach to teaching and learning. Our experience has shaped us and informed us on how to best connect with students and engage them in their learning.

Research tells us that prior to the pandemic a third of teachers were actively thinking of leaving the profession within the next five years. Given the pandemic impact in the international school setting this statistic might rise with teachers wanting to return home to a more familiar and stable environment. Speak to recruiters (and other school leaders) and you will find that schools potentially anticipating a teacher (and school leader) recruitment crisis.

But there has been some silver linings during this pandemic. Across the globe, countries have cancelled their national standardised/high stakes testing regimes and looking at other means of providing assessment for their students. However, it is not only the 2019-20 cohort who will be affected by this crisis. The future and implications of such decision making is yet to be realised (if not improved!).

When we do go back to school everything will be different – and it must be different. From what we teach our students, to how we teach our students through to how we keep our students safe. We probably need to go back and ask ourselves the fundamental question of this age: what is the purpose of education?

No doubt the educational authorities, the experts in our field, have started formulating the answer. While we wait for their direction we too must be ready to enter a new reality of doing schooling given our professional judgment in light of the COVID-19 era.

So what might a re-entry into school buildings look like for educators and their school communities? Here are three categories that educators will be pondering:

1. Health & Hygiene Measures:

Given the precautionary social distancing, hand washing/sanitising campaign and temperature monitoring that has been instituted to help prevent the spread of the virus, there will be an expectation that similar measure be put into place when we return to school. There will be temperature screening on entering the school building and randomly throughout the school day. Teachers will be asked to stringently monitor (& limit) student access to washrooms and classrooms will most likely revert to rows of desks (with social distancing in mind) facing the front of the classroom. Changes to break times, restricted playground options and a rethink of how to use the cafeteria will be worked out.

2. Curriculum Re-Writes:

In a recent article John Hattie noted that “If we take out one term/semester of 10 weeks, [Australia and the US] still have more in-school time compared to Finland, Estonia, Korea and Sweden, which all outscore Australia and the USA on PISA,” Now if John Hattie is right, then it’s not time at school that’s the problem, it’s what we are teaching our students. We need a drastic rethink of our curriculum standards and dare I say, the mandated core subject allocation. Suffice to say that our current curriculum is voluminous and over crowded.

3: Pedagogical Shifts:

The fear is that a re-entry to the school buildings will see a return to the stand and deliver teaching methodology. It’s an easy solution to comply with the expected rules and regulations that may come down the educational authority line. The challenge for teachers is to use the learning experience of school closures and the various methods of facilitating learning for students at home and blend them into a new school experience. The flipped classroom, provision of instructional videos, project based learning derivations and even active learning strategies, will need to be the “new normal” when we return to school. However, for this new pedagogical stance to rise, changes to not only current standardised/high stakes testing but also inspection accountabilities need to be considered.

That said, the real question on everyone’s mind is, will we be re-entering school buildings too soon, or not soon enough?

Teacher Appreciation Week 2020

During this COVID-19 crisis, many people have been displaced from their normal routines. There has been a tumultuous upheaval in our day to day lives as we have now come to deal with the sudden closure of our retail outlets, shopping malls, restaurants, and of our schools.

The impact is devastating, for many as jobs have been lost, salaries cut, and with the pressures of working from home, the balance of family and work life has become problematic. Well-being issues have been brought to the forefront of conversations.

For families, it’s difficult to have to monitor two, three or four children each day to ensure their learning continues and learning tasks completed. No doubt parents are very appreciative of the work teachers do (given that teachers manage classes of up to 30 students every lesson, every day, every week)

Everyone is acutely aware of the challenges teachers are under. The pressure on them has never been greater.

Let’s not dwell on the mandated high stakes testing, or the diversity of student needs within the classroom, or the ever increasing accountability measures placed upon them, but rather celebrate and affirm their unwavering efforts to do the best they can for each and every student. It’s not an easy task.

Many teachers have had to learn new digital tools overnight as they moved into uncharted territory to personalize and improve their instruction for distance learning. This has come without real guidance and was fraught with many challenges and barriers. Perseverance, creativity and long hours have helped ease the transition. New routines, communication practices and a huge shift in pedagogy (ie the method and practice of teaching) has seen learning continue.

Our teachers too are essential workers, keeping the future alive under extraordinarily difficult circumstances. They are also in isolation, but provide countless hours of support to our students, parents and each other.

If there was ever a time to show our appreciation of teachers it is now.

To my staff at Al Yasat Private School, Abu Dhabi, I thank you! our students are in great hands. We are lucky to have you.

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