How to Be a More Creative Teacher - Student Research Foundation

Why Teachers Have Quit the Profession during the Pandemic

/0 Comments/in , /by

 . . . and What Could Bring Them Back

Teaching, like any profession you can name, isn’t for everyone. At some point a certain number of teachers – just like a certain number of physicians, car salespeople, and store owners – decide to make a change.

That was happening before Covid-19 because of burnout, financial pressures, lack of opportunities for advancement, and other issues. Then the pandemic came along, and some teachers found new reasons to leave. Read more

A Box of School Supplies

Teachers Shouldn’t Have to Pay for School Supplies Out of Their Own Pockets

/0 Comments/in , /by

Do you remember the days when teachers had to pay for classroom supplies out of their own pockets? In those days, teachers had to buy basic supplies like paste, poster paint, and maybe even software because their school systems couldn’t afford them.

When teachers’ contributions in this area became known, parents and other concerned people in their communities often stepped up and contributed money to help. There were even efforts to raise money through crowdsourcing. There was widespread acceptance of the principle that it was wrong to have teachers pay for supplies that should have been provided by their school systems. Read more

Teacher standing at a board outlining Educational Trends - Student Research Foundation

Three Positive Educational Trends that Have Emerged from the Pandemic

/0 Comments/in , /by

If you are a teacher, you already have seen countless changes in your classroom and your school over the past year.

But which of those changes are most likely to exert an ongoing influence in the future?

“3 COVID-19 education trends set to persist post-pandemic,” an article that Kara Arundel wrote for K12Dive.com last October, points out three specific improvements that are most likely to exert a long-term influence on our schools.

Read more

Social Justice Rally

The Challenges of Teaching Social Justice in Your Classroom

/0 Comments/in , /by

The trial of Derek Chauvin in Minneapolis has focused our nation’s attention on issues of social justice and racial equality. These questions can form the basis for classroom discussions and assignments in our classrooms yet making those assignments and leading discussions can pose a challenge for teachers. Students could offer opinions that will trigger other students, and even reflect badly on the teacher who was in charge when those opinions were expressed. Read more

High School Student Standing in front of a school bus

Has Covid-19 Driven a Permanent Wedge Between America’s Public and Private Schools?

/0 Comments/in , , /by

If you live in many towns and cities across the United States, you are familiar with the great divide between the public and private schools near you. Read more

Teacher Who Is Staying Resilient

Helpful Tips for Teachers on Staying Resilient During the Pandemic

/0 Comments/in , /by

In the last year of Covid-19, most teachers have learned vital life lessons about being resilient. And it hasn’t been easy. As soon as the dark clouds of the pandemic seemed to be lifting and we started to feel relieved, it was time to readjust to the fact that things weren’t improving as quickly as we hoped. Then – and we have all been through this time and time again – we needed to reach down deep into ourselves and find new ways to be patient. Read more

Teacher in the front of a class

More Summer Learning Opportunities for Teachers

/0 Comments/in , /by

We recently wrote a post about educational programs that can help teachers hone their skills and add to their credentials over the coming summer months.

Today, we would like to widen our lens a little and explore still more opportunities for teachers to learn this summer. These programs can help you get energized and ready for your classroom to open again in the fall or 2021. And you’ll be happy to hear that most of the opportunities we list below are free. Read more

Student Falling

How Far Have Students Fallen Behind During Covid-19?

/0 Comments/in , /by

An analysis of data from 4.4 million students provides answers

You have probably wondered how far students have fallen behind in their learning during Covid-19.

You have probably also heard your fellow teachers offer an opinion on the topic that usually goes something like this . . . Read more

Apples for the teacher

Summer Advancement Opportunities for Teachers

/0 Comments/in /by

As we move toward spring, most teachers are forced to concede that the 2020-21 school year was the greatest challenge ever in their professional lives. First of all, it was a challenge to teach. And second, this year proved to be a daunting obstacle to career progress. Suddenly, the possibilities of career advancement seemed to fade away – whether that progress meant choosing a teaching specialty, becoming a school principal, becoming head of a department, or finding a job in a different school or school system. Read more

African American teacher

Needed: Black Teachers

/0 Comments/in /by

Black History Month is an opportunity to remind all Americans of the important role Black teachers have played since Reconstruction in empowering communities politically and socially. But today, it is particularly critical to convince more African Americans to join the profession. The U.S. faces a looming teacher crisis and:

  • African Americans are an especially underutilized talent pool, making up 15% of students, but only 7% of teachers.
  • African American high school students aspire to teach at only half the rate of Whites. (SRF Student Survey, Fall 2019)

Read more