BetterLesson Blog

Choosing Your Path to Education Leadership

Rose Lattanze, Educational Consultant — Tue, 31 May 2022 12:00:00 GMT

The need for effective teacher leaders is ongoing and urgent in K-12 schools. Each teacher lends their expertise and talent to the overall welfare of the school community. Gathering this expertise and putting it to good use doesn’t happen magically. Great teacher leaders, supported by experienced mentors, help pave the way for effective supervision.

Where Do We Go From Here?

Matthew Kennard, BetterLesson Chief Executive Officer — Thu, 26 May 2022 14:32:58 GMT

Over the past two weeks, we have been confronted by the terrible devastation of the senseless acts of violence in Uvalde and Buffalo. In our nation there have been over 200 mass shootings in 2022, including 27 incidents at schools. Tragedies like these, and so many before them, are unconscionable and brutally unsettling. The loss of family, friends, and colleagues has an indelible impact and it is natural to feel helpless and unmoored. Taking the time to process our pain is an important step in recovering and supporting those in our communities who are forever impacted by these tragedies.

Creative Tools for Teachers: Discover the Adobe Education Exchange

Osi Ejiofor, Adobe Master Teacher and Educational Technology Consultant — Tue, 24 May 2022 12:00:00 GMT

You may know Adobe for their industry-leading graphics and photography editing tools, but did you know that they also offer a wide range of other tools that can help you become more creative with your classroom practice?

Leading A Professional Learning Community

Kennedy Schultz, BetterLesson Instructional Coach — Fri, 20 May 2022 12:00:00 GMT

A strong, collaborative school culture results in powerful ideas and solutions. When teachers and leaders come together to support student growth through Professional Learning Communities, or PLCs, they can leverage each other’s expertise and experiences.

Adapt These Creative Strategies for Your Own Classroom Use: A Step-by-Step Guide

Osi Ejiofor, Adobe Master Teacher and Educational Technology Consultant — Wed, 18 May 2022 15:11:19 GMT

How can you infuse creativity into your classroom?

Working with technology doesn’t have to be confusing. If you’re using the right tools, you can quickly implement creative classroom projects without compromising education value or taking too much time.

5 Strategies to Increase Student Motivation

Jenna Gilfillan, M.Ed., BetterLesson Instructional Coach — Tue, 17 May 2022 12:00:00 GMT

As we wrap up another school year, teachers often note a marked decline in student motivation as the weather warms and the promise of summer fun clouds the mind. It is common to see an uptick in behavior challenges and distractibility.

BetterLesson Live | Cultivate a Growth Mindset by Developing Executive Functioning Skills in Students

BetterLesson — Fri, 13 May 2022 17:06:01 GMT

3 Strategies to Build Resilience Through Executive Function Skills

BetterLesson — Fri, 13 May 2022 16:36:09 GMT

As we have seen over the past few years, students (and educators!) are facing mounting challenges in student behavior and social-emotional learning. But one key to helping students overcome tough situations is through executive function strategies.

Using a Strategy Showcase to Create a Collaborative Teacher Community

Mon, 02 May 2022 12:00:00 GMT

When our school launched instructional coaching through BetterLesson last year, we started with about 20 teachers including educators in their first to the fourth year as well as several veteran teachers. As they worked with their coaches to learn new strategies and implement them in their classrooms, we noticed an exciting trend: teachers were feeling empowered and noticeably growing their practice.

5 Reasons Why Your Best New Teachers Are Leaving (and How to Help Them)

BetterLesson — Wed, 27 Apr 2022 17:47:24 GMT

Teachers (and leaders!) have faced more over the past few years than ever before. Recurring changes to modes of instruction, rising academic expectations, and decreasing resources means new teachers and paraprofessionals are tackling challenges they never expected when they started their training. The steep learning curve is hard on teachers: 15% of new teachers leave the profession and another 14% change schools after their first year, often as the result of feeling overwhelmed, ineffective, and unsupported. It’s an enormous loss to schools and, ultimately, to students.