Ignite the Spark: Captivating Student Curiosity

Students gathered around a table with their teacher engaged in an activity

Think about the last time a social media post grabbed your attention. Maybe it was a hilarious video, an inspiring story, or a fascinating fact. Whatever it was, it captivated you. Webster’s dictionary defines being captivated as having one’s interest or attention held by something charming, beautiful, or entertaining. Now, imagine if educators planned their […]

Setting the Stage for Inspired Learning

Principal and teacher greet students before walking into their classroom with an option board for choosing what kind of greeting they would like. They can choose from high fives, waves, or fist bumps.

Unveiling the Influence of Classroom Settings on Student Experience and Outcomes Imagine a workplace where vibrant colors and eye-catching displays replace mundane walls. Everything is well-organized, stocked, and accessible. It’s clean and well-lit, with natural light and lively green plants enhancing the atmosphere. Thoughtfully arranged seating fosters a sense of community. Multiple working and learning […]

30 Seconds to Success: Boost Classroom Engagement with Positive Narration

Teacher positive narration

30 Seconds to Success: Boost Classroom Engagement Want to create a sense of belonging in your classroom for every student, every day? Want a strategy that won’t require any more of your already limited time? Positive narration, simply noticing aloud the positive actions and behaviors of your students, ensures students are seen and acknowledged.    […]

Maximizing ESSER Funds: Empowering Educators and Sustaining Student Success Beyond 2025

Education funding uses

Maximizing ESSER Funds With less than seven months remaining until January 28, 2025, the countdown to the expiration of federal aid through the Elementary and Secondary School Relief Fund has begun. This impending deadline looms over school districts, threatening the loss of crucial funding intended to support students in their recovery from pandemic-induced learning loss. […]

Improving Communication with Disgruntled Parents: A Guide for School Leaders

Parent teacher meeting

Engaging with disgruntled parents can be a challenging aspect of school leadership, but with the right approach, these interactions can lead to positive outcomes. Drawing from my own experiences and learning from past mistakes, here are some strategies for successful communication with upset parents: Schedule a Meeting: Set aside a 30-minute block for the meeting […]

Technology Tools to Gather Data for Do Nows and Exit Tickets

Tech tools

In the ever-evolving landscape of education, technology has become an invaluable ally for teachers seeking to enhance engagement and interactivity in the classroom. This blog post explores the advantages of using four tech tools – Quizziz, Pear Deck, NearPod, and Go Formative – when implementing Do Nows, Exit Tickets, and interactive lessons. By incorporating these […]

Enhancing Student Engagement Through Individual Check-Ins: A Pathway to Student Ownership

Enhancing Student Engagement Through Individual Check-Ins: A Pathway to Student Ownership

When was the last time you met one-on-one with your students to discuss their academic progress? Could your students effectively articulate their strengths and areas for growth if questioned? If your responses lean towards infrequent or never, you might be overlooking a potent strategy for fostering student ownership of their learning journey. The National Institute […]

Leadership Confessions

Teacher teaching

Sometimes, the pressure for school leaders to know all the answers is overwhelming. Most of us have been taught that to be a good leader we have to lead from the front, never alongside and never behind those we serve. As a teacher, I would often tell my students, “I don’t know the answer to […]

College and Career Readiness

College and Career Readiness

College and career readiness is an issue of growing importance in my mind. In fact, I am obsessed with it. I am a career educator, coach, community member, and most importantly the mom of two Generation Z youngsters. In my opinion, Gen Z gets a bad rap, for it is their sensitivity (which is frequently […]

Our partnership with When We All Vote

At CT3, we value civic engagement and are excited to help our education community make their voices heard in every election. We are teaming up with When We All Vote, a non-profit, non-partisan organization on a mission to increase participation in every election and close the race and age voting gap. Now, it’s time to do our […]