The Motivation Equation

Jason FlomBrain, Community, Education, Learning, Student, Teaching, Whole Child

The upcoming new ibook by Kathleen Cushman, “The Motivation Equation,” stands to expand on her pioneering work in leveraging students’ voices in shaping learning environments, pedagogical practices, and transforming how we talk about learning. And thank goodness. Often missing from our education discourse is, ironically, the most important element of our education system: the learners. In this newest endeavor (you … Read More

Disrupting Injustice: Principal Strategies to Advance Social Justice

Jason FlomCommunity, Education, Equity, Leadership, Learning

The problem: Social injustice across our social landscape, with concentrations in schools where social justice is most needed. A solution: Leadership focused on targeting, disrupting, and transforming such norms into new outcomes. Teacher College Record published a paper by George Theoharis, an assistant professor in educational leadership and inclusive education at Syracuse University, titled “Disrupting Injustice: Principals Narrate the Strategies They … Read More

Racing to the Top and Leaving the Impoverished at the Bottom

Tyler IzuagieCommunity, Education, Equity, Learning, Policy, Student, Whole Child

Poverty cripples societal advancement. When prevalent in the richest nation in the world, it becomes mindboggling. Why are so many individuals struggling under the weight of poverty in America? Why is nearly 1 in every 4 children considered impoverished in this land of Race to the Top? Are we racing to the top of the wrong metric?  My hat goes … Read More

Year at Mission Hill, Chapter 9: Seeing the Learning

Jason FlomCommunity, Education, Learning, Student, Whole Child

“How do we know what students are learning?” So opens the narration of chapter 9, “Seeing the Learning.” Rather than simply reply on summative test scores to communicate whether or not students have “achieved,” the educators at Mission Hill create exhibitions in which students must present and defend their learning to a committee of teachers and peers. The complexity of … Read More

Year at Mission Hill Chapter 8: The World of Work

Jason FlomCommunity, Education, Learning, Student, Teaching

This chapter, “The World of Work,” offers a look at applying a school-wide theme through integrated projects. Teachers organize opportunities for authentic experiences based on the ideas and recommendations of the kids in an effort to allow students to “see their ideas actualized.” This practice for building student agency works because it helps them develop confidence in the value of their … Read More

5 Characteristics of Learner-Centered Teaching

Jason FlomCommunity, Leadership, Student, Teaching, Whole Child

Maryellen Weimer (whose bio includes: Penn State Professor Emeritus of Teaching and Learning and Editor-in-chief of Teaching Professor) addresses the wide spread use of the term “learner-centered” in her post, “Five Characteristics of Learner-Centered Teaching” on The Teaching Professor Blog at Faculty Focus. At the heart of her concern is this: “With widespread use comes a certain definitional looseness.” To … Read More

Year at Mission Hill, Chapter 7: Behind the Scenes

Jason FlomCommunity, Education, Equity, Science of Learning, Student, Teaching, Whole Child

Chapter 7 of this fantastic series delves into the fuel that keeps the fire going — questioning everything in relation to the whole child: Asking for help. Inquiry to inspire students’ voice. Shared inquiry about students. Building a community of curiosity, which changes teachers’ perspectives on teaching, learning, and their own empowerment as educators, empowerment they then pass on to … Read More

11 Characteristics of Meaningful Work

Jason FlomCommunity, Education, Learning, Student

Note from the Editor: While this piece by Shawn Murphy is related to business practices and targeted to managers and business leaders, the parallels to education and student learning are striking. Teachers, curricula developers, and education leaders can find plenty herein to ponder, reflect on, and apply in practice.  It was originally posted at Switch and Shift and is reposted here with … Read More