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Professional Practice

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9 Songs to Get Your Groove on Before School

Let’s get this party started! We asked YOU for the best get-up-and-out-the-door songs. Here ‘s what you said. Closure in Moscow’s “Happy Days” Henoch Hailu , Montgomery County  Special Education Teacher, White Oak Middle School Who doesn’t like rocking out first thing in the morning? My favorite quote from this song is, “Quick fix schemes had a hold on me. Now […]
Early Career Educators

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8 Things to Know about Your Contract

As a new educator, if there’s one thing you know about your union, it’s probably that it negotiates and defends your contract. So what’s in your contract anyway? Turns out, some very important stuff. 1. How much planning time you get. Planning time is essential for collaborating with colleagues, prepping for your next class, and developing […]
Early Career Educators

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What I Didn’t Know …

Five teachers at White Oak Middle School in Montgomery County tell us the things they never thought they’d need to know for their job. “That I would have so much homework.” — Javier Valera, Math Teacher “That I would need to know about the Peer Assistance and Review process.” — Cynthia Tran, Math Content Specialist “That […]
Professional Practice

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10 Ways to Fund Your Classroom Projects and Professional Development Dreams This Winter

It’s that time of year again. Our clocks have turned back, our days seem shorter, and the temperatures are starting to lower. Gathered below is a list of some great funding opportunities to apply for this winter for your schools, your career, and your students. Warm up by the fire and start applying today! Funding […]
Early Career Educators

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Why New Teachers Leave…And What Might Help Them Stay

Photo: Stephen Cherry In Maryland, nearly half of new teachers will leave the profession by the end of their third year. That’s a big problem, and one that needs to be addressed. Not only do new teachers deserve more and better support so they can succeed and thrive in the classroom, but students benefit from teacher […]
Early Career Educators

Actionline

Learn • Share • Discuss • Succeed

The supports new educators need and deserve are well documented — meaningful orientations to their new positions; strong mentorship programs; year-long internships; modern, relevant professional development and resources — yet rarely provided. It’s no surprise then that MSDE reports that “47% of educators in Maryland who have completed one full year, but not yet two full years, of teaching […]
Racial and Social Justice

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Organizing for LGBT+ Students and Educators

Sharon Zearfoss-Naugle with members of the Gender Sexuality Alliance at Governor Thomas Johnson High School. A quote hangs in Sharon Zearfoss-Naugle’s music room at Governor Thomas Johnson High School (TJHS) in Frederick County. She doesn’t know quite where it came from, just that it’s been there for as long as anyone can remember. It goes like […]

Newsroom

Creating Community with Peace Circles

Ninth grade U.S. history teacher Robin McNair is a believer in restorative practices. “Just one suspension doubles a child’s chance of entering the school to prison pipeline. The use of these practices have decreased suspensions and expulsions, reduced the number of referrals, and improved graduation rates. They are game changers.” McNair, a member of the Prince […]
Testing

Actionline

Educators Lead on ESSA

When Congress passed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) last December — finally moving on after 15 years under the failed, testing-obsessed No Child Left Behind — one of its most important requirements was to include stakeholder input in the development of new school accountability systems. Not only were the days of Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) going to be […]
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