Kris Szajner

Keeping Students Motivated Until the Last Day Before the Summer Slump

Toy bricks spelling summer

The countdown to summer vacation is in full swing. Students are eagerly anticipating the break and their engagement (or lack of) is weaning. Teachers are battling this dwindling focus and rise of energy and the looming threat of the summer slide. These last weeks do not have to be a fight, they can be filled […]

Creative End-of-Year Reflection Activities for Students

As the end of the school year draws ever closer, students become more and more excited about their summer break. Maintaining student engagement becomes an increasingly difficult challenge. That combined with the end-of-year fatigue leads to the need for creative ideas. These final weeks provide the opportunity to reflect on the year. Remember the achievements, […]

What You Need to Know about The Seesaw Shake-Up

A Seesaw Shake-Up Playlist GIF

If you’re a Seesaw educator or just starting your journey with the us, the “Seesaw Shake-Up” YouTube playlist is your new must-watch series. Packed with quick, high-impact videos, this playlist helps you stay in the loop with what’s new and how to make the most out of the features found in Seesaw. Here’s what you’ll […]

Supporting Teacher Retention with Effective Technology Integration

Happy male teacher in front of class

Teacher retention is arguably the most important issue facing our school systems today. Teachers are leaving the system due to many reasons, one of which is high workload. As school systems, being mindful of teachers workloads can help to mitigate these issues but only if you are focusing on the right things. One element of […]

Maximizing Teaching Time Through Research-Based Efficiency Strategies

Student in school smiling at her desk

Educators are constantly racing against the clock. Trying to balance instruction, planning, grading, and administrative duties while maintaining best practices is a difficult task to meet. This week, we will explore research-based strategies that will make you more productive and efficient in your classroom while increasing your quality of teaching. What is the Problem We […]

The Hidden Costs of EdTech Complexity

Education is often filled with strategies and tactics that come and go. This pendulum swing helps maintain a balance in instructional practices. In one area of education, educational technology (edtech), the pendulum has been swinging more aggressively. Even before the COVID-19 lockdown, edtech has been taking hold of classrooms. Most of the time, this results […]

Family Engagement Strategies That Empower All Learners

Family portrait at a school hosted family event

Family engagement in education is a catalyst for student success. In Title I schools additional resources are provided to support families in being a part of their children’s success. Creating a strong learning community has been proven to improve academic outcomes. This blog will highlight how Title I can unlock family engagement in every school. […]

The Psychology of Family Engagement and Why It Matters 

Colored pencils and scissors on a desk

Engaging families in education isn’t just nice to have, it’s crucial. Families who are involved in their children’s education perform better academically, develop stronger social-emotional skills, and feel more supported in their learning environments, according to research. Why do these things happen? What’s the psychology behind it? And how can educators be more effective when […]

Family Reading Partnerships for Consistent Student Growth

Family encouraging their daughter to read

Today we are going to talk about something that’s close to all our hearts, helping our students become confident, successful readers. You know that wonderful moment when a child’s eyes light up as they crack the code of a challenging word or get lost while reading a great story? That’s what we’re aiming for! One […]

Unlocking Literacy Success with the Science of Reading

Teacher reading to students on the floor

Written by: Dr. Larissa Hsia-Wong Imagine the moment a young learner unlocks a new skill. Not just any skill, but one that will enhance their ability to communicate and understand the world around them. The joy and confidence that shine through as young students become skilled, critical, and fluent readers motivate and inspire early elementary […]

Building Student Confidence Through Safe, Student Friendly Reading Spaces

Children reading on a window seat

Reading proficiency is crucial for academic success, but what’s often overlooked is the emotional journey that accompanies students while learning to read. For many students, reading aloud or even silently in a classroom setting can trigger anxiety and self-doubt. In this post, we’ll explore practical strategies to create supportive reading environments that help students thrive. […]

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