PDK International

God in every child

Joan Richardson — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 19:18:15 +0000

Special education teacher Ann Marie Bokatzian admits that she chose to work with students with autism because “I fell in love with the disability.” “The purity of their souls just mesmerized me. I never intended it. They’re so pure in spirit, so pure in their soul. They don’t lie; they can’t lie. To me, [...]

A ‘grow-your-own’ urban teacher recruitment program at work

Jeanne Storm — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 18:11:02 +0000

Fourth in the series Raising Teachers Great urban teachers, those who are enthusiastic about staying in urban classrooms for the duration of their careers, may very well be graduates of an urban school. Let’s examine an urban district that is putting this theory to the test by intentionally recruiting current it’s own high school students [...]

Regulatory Relief from NCLB—Thank You Secretary Duncan

Bill Bushaw — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 16:08:31 +0000

In announcing that he may provide regulatory relief, Duncan is not challenging Congressional authority. He and the President are challenging Congressional sluggishness as reauthorization of the ESEA is four years overdue and there is no end in sight.

Commencement Address at Michigan State University

Bill Bushaw — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 17:44:11 +0000

Lately, there’s been a lot of rhetoric about education reform. But too many Americans believe that the word reform means that our schools are bad. In truth, there are many good things about our system of public education. But there are many things in education that do need to change. That's why we need to focus on transformation rather than reform.

What about picking future teachers for urban classrooms?

Jeanne Storm — Mon, 09 May 2011 17:47:26 +0000

Third in the series Raising Teachers We know that naturally great teachers are enthusiastic, believe they can make a difference, and are fair and respectful. But what about great urban teachers? Are there additional factors that great urban teachers possess, and can we begin to identify and select the next generation of great urban teachers [...]

How do we know which students to pick?

Jeanne Storm — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 15:41:51 +0000

Second in the series Raising Teachers Ah, those eager, youthful faces that fill our classrooms . . . and perhaps those not so eager ones. Are any of them the faces of great future teachers? Which ones? Those with high grade point averages? Maybe the ones who have perfect attendance; they like school, right? Surely [...]

On the edge, in the center

Joan Richardson — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 16:48:57 +0000

Grant Kashatok faces challenges that most other principals can’t even fathom. He acts as landlord for the housing where his staff of eight teachers live, manages his community’s limited supply of fuel and water, and ensures balanced nutrition for school meals when fresh food is delivered only once a month. Oh, and he’s also deeply [...]

CTE’s Impact on Training and Educating the Future Workforce – Including Teachers.

Jeanne Storm — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 12:00:48 +0000

February is career and technical education (CTE) month – a time to celebrate all the CTE programs across the country that are preparing students to be college- and career-ready. Even more importantly, it’s a time for all educators, administrators, business owners, parents, and policymakers to recognize the importance of CTE and how it has changed over the [...]

Picking Future Teachers

Jeanne Storm — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 18:25:26 +0000

First in the series Raising Teachers The classroom of high school biology students is full of kids with varying abilities, interests, and passions. Are there any future teachers in the bunch? Does the biology teacher see any potential future colleagues? What about the principal? As educators do we ever stop and consider that a couple [...]

NCLB: Strangling our Schools

Bill Bushaw — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 13:50:39 +0000

No Child Left Behind (NCLB) is strangling our schools. On that fact, both Democrats and Republicans agree. Is that enough to ensure that Congress and the President will agree on terms to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), known as NCLB in this, the 112th Congress?