Becoming a Google Certified Educator
Guest contributor Amber Anania (@msanania) is a 7th grade language arts teacher at Westfield Middle School who recently became a Google Certified Educator Level 1. In this post, she shares her experiences preparing for and taking the qualification exam. I jumped wholeheartedly onto the Google bandwagon when it arrived at my school a few years […]
Taking Time this Summer is an Absolute NEED for Educators
Burn-out: fatigue, frustration, or apathy resulting from prolonged stress, overwork, or intense activity (Dictionary.com, 2017) We have all been a victim of burn-out. While every individual regardless of age, intelligence, and profession has the potential to experience the effects of burn-out at some point in their lifetime, educators seem to struggle often with this negative phenomenon. According […]
Six Fictional Teachers We Can Still Learn From
Have you ever considered that pop culture might be a good place to start when studying pedagogy? From the pages of books to screens of all sizes, fictional teachers can be great sources of inspiration for teachers and students alike. Check out these tips and tricks from some fictional favorites! Professor Dumbledore (Harry Potter)“It matters […]
Reflections of a CEO
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. I always envisioned starting an article about a personal experience in my life with those particular words. Five-Star Technology Solutions was a dream in 2003-2004 that became reality in 2005. A few of the most common questions I am asked is why I […]
Saving Money While Spending Money
One way to upgrade your school network infrastructure is by tapping into the dollars available via the federal E-Rate program that is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). E-Rate provides discounts to eligible schools and libraries in the United States in order to ensure access to affordable telecommunications and information services. E-Rate dollars are available […]
The Truth about What is True: Teaching Students How to Think
This just in: Inner-city crime in the United States is reaching record levels. (Source: Donald Trump). You are three times more likely to be able to get a mortgage if you’re a white applicant than if you’re a black or Hispanic, even if you have the same credentials. (Source: Hillary Clinton) Due to a shortage […]
The Benefits of Formative Assessment for Special Education
Formative assessment is a teaching tool that supports all learners, but it is especially critical for students who are struggling, as it holds the potential for changing the learning outcome. It is a quick way for teachers to evaluate learning needs and academic progress in their classrooms. Here are some examples of how formative assessment can […]
Device Collection: Not for the Faint of Heart
Our techs and schools work tirelessly at the end of the year to ensure that device collection goes smoothly. Though they expect the occasional problem, they don’t always anticipate some of the conversations they have with their students and staff. In honor of the end of the year, we offer you the top ten comments […]
Mindset Shift: Gearing Up for Failure
While watching the Indy 500, I began wondering how the amazing drivers got their start. I imagine my two daughters each tucked inside the cockpit of the car revving the engines in anticipation of the start. Over the roar of the engines, I shout my instructions: “OK, girls, here’s what you gotta do. Just step […]
It Will Be There When You Return: A Guide to Taking Vacation Days
All too often I run across colleagues who are supposed to be on vacation but are often still working. How do I know they are working? Because they are sending me work-related emails while on “vacation!” My favorite is when someone tells me they are going on vacation, but they plan to continue checking email […]
