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Teaching is difficult work and school leaders can't always change everything they'd like to change (think, inadequate funding, overemphasis on standardized tests). But small efforts over time to improve communication, collaboration, and relationships can yield big results in teacher satisfaction and resilience.

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Cornelius Minor (@MisterMinor) tells us that "engagement is the glue that keeps students stuck to the practice." But how do we help students engage in the subject matter in the classroom? In this article, Katrina Schwartz explores how the Question Formulation Technique (QFT) can help students engage their innate curiosity about the world.

This article is not about education, but the message about listening has wide application for all who wish to reflect and collaborate with others. Among the tips for good listening: -- Give 100% of your attention; Don't interrupt; Don't impose your solutions; Don't judge; Ask more (good) questions.

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To keep our minds going with meaningful work, here’s an article about schools in Philadelphia who work on project-based learning (PBL). Diallo makes the point that standardized tests don’t measure engagement or deep thinking, but those are definitely what I want prioritized for kids (and for me). What do you want prioritized in education?

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Teachers are helping to create an active, informed, engaged citizenry. In this article, Robert Ward reminds us that teaching communication skills builds relationships and can help students find their voices: "Words have power. Therefore, students must learn to measure their words because the right choice could change someone’s life, including perhaps their own. Being articulate is one of the most important skills a person can possess and thus one of the most important skills a teacher can foster."

A strong adult culture is essential if a school is going to do its best work. As noted in this article, "a school where teachers know, trust, and honor each other is a school where students learn best." We would extend the sentiment to the relationships among and between all the adults in the community - teachers, staff, administrators, paraprofessionals, and families.

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Teachers report that Fortnight is a major distraction for many students. A fascinating question arises: what is it about video games that causes students (people) to bounce back from defeat, again and again, eager to give it another go?

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How can schools partner with families amid cultural differences and language barriers to help new students succeed?

Space. What exactly is it? Is it physical? Emotional? Intellectual? Social? Spiritual? Arguably, the answers to all of these questions are yes. Space can represent all of these ideals and so much more. But when it comes to young adolescents and middle schools, the definitions seem quickly lost in the unfortunate mix of inequity and colorblindness.

A teacher in KY brings her high school journalism students to the state Capital to cover the protest allowed them to take the reins.

Not all schools are able to have co-teachers in a classroom or even teaching teams within a building. But collaboration is still possible and can re-energize our teaching.

When I was a new (and sometimes naive) high school history teacher, in a mistaken attempt to prove my worth I would correct every misspelling, grammatical flaw, and analytical misstep—drenching assignments in red ink. Before long, students accused me of caring more about pointing out flaws than helping them improve. They were right.

Restorative practices recognize the power of "rupture-and-repair" and can help forge stronger bonds between and among students and teachers. This video explores the how and why of restorative practice in Spokane, Washington public schools.

In this article, Katrina Schwartz examines how schools maintain innovative practices, citing five pillars that change requires.

Personalized learning can be quite complex. In this article, the author suggests that rather than relying on technology, personalized learning environments are strongest when the focus is on building relationships and social emotional learning.