We asked Jim to share some of his thoughts about teaching -- best practices and fun facts. Read below to learn more about his teaching style:

Three words that describes your teaching persona

Urgent, Proximal, Warm-Demanding

Why teach? Or, how did you become a teacher?

It pushes me to my growing-edge daily.

What do you do to optimize student engagement in class?

Incorporate as many of Doug Lemov's "Teach Like a Champion" strategies as possible. "Call and response" is my favorite. Take a basic "Do Now" with five problems as an example. Students enter the classroom (time them, of course, to promote urgency and competition), and I start a timer for 3 minutes. As I circulate the room updating them on the time and checking answers, I am thinking of how we will review answers, after the "call to open." Timer goes off, students all stand and we recite the "call to open." As they sit, hands should already be popping up to answer number 1, if I have done my job right. Instead of calling on five different students to answer five questions, I will most likely start by asking those with colored socks on to answer number one and then give them a countdown to ensure their responses are coordinated. From there I will come up with three other distinguishing traits and ask those students to respond. Lastly, I will ask for students in the [insert the cohort's name here] cohort to respond. This reinforces a sense of cohort pride and what our school leader call's "scholar identity." Obviously if wrong answers are given, I will go back and address those either after the question is read or at the end of the "Do Now," depending on how many wrong answers were audible.

Coffee, tea, or caffeine-free?

Coffee, lots of it.

Describe your classroom management style (including a few best practices) in a few sentences.

I want my students to be exhausted by my lessons. So exhausted that there is no time to consider doing something that might get you in trouble. Even if they do not do their homework, I want them to know that I will stay late with them until they get it done or come in on the weekend until they get caught up. Some refer to it as warm-demanding or tough love.

Favorite Cartoon/TV/Movie Teacher

At the risk of being provocative, the only "teacher" movie I will watch is "Half Nelson." All others position the teacher as the savior; this film shows that students can and do have a tremendous impact on our lives as well.

Favorite Book (to read or to teach)

The Great Gatsby

Describe your process of preparing a lesson.

I want everything programmed and laid out in advance. My colleagues and I "borrowed" Boston Prep's packets system and brought it back to Indiana. Now when students cross the threshold, they have a "learning ladder" in their hands that has everything they will need, save a book, for the next 55 minutes. No awkward transitions, no put this away and get out this, just flip the page and keep the pace moving. My colleagues and I create these "learning ladders" ourselves. It is a lot of work on the front-end, but we have found that when it comes time to execute, we are entirely focused on executing the lesson, a lesson that we know like the backs of our hands because we wrote it, not a textbook company.

Which teacher do you admire most and what makes him/her a great teacher?

I most admire a sixth-grade teacher named Dan Taylor. Mr. Taylor works with a cohort of approximately 22 young men, most of whom are below grade-level. His growth scores last year were through the roof. With two exceptions, he had each of his students reading, writing and computing at grade level after one year with him. He makes it happen by finding ways to incorporate learning into every second of the day. If Mr. Taylor's students are waiting in line to use the restroom, they are reading. If Mr. Taylor's students are waiting to transition from lunch, they are doing mental math. What's key is that these examples occur daily. He never tries, never wavers from his high standards.

P.S. You can check out Jim's Humanities course materials here: Humanities A - Reading and Social Studies.

Three words that describe your teaching persona

enthusiastic, urgent, nerdy

Why teach? Or, how did you become a teacher?

On a macro-level, I teach because I believe that education is the most important long-term investment that we can make as a society.

On a micro-level, I teach because I enjoy the students.  They make me laugh and keep me on my toes.

What would you be if not a teacher?

More relaxed?

What do you do to optimize student engagement in class?

I think pacing is key to student engagement.  I try to keep a strong sense of urgency, and my class periods are broken up into lots of mini-segments so that students never get bored and they are forced to keep up and be "with it."

Finally, the key to engagement is questioning.  Plan out some interesting questions to stimulate conversation and experiment with different ways of asking questions.

Coffee, tea, or caffeine-free?

Recently gave in to coffee...

Describe your classroom management style (including a few best practices) in a few sentences.

I will show you respect, and I therefore expect it from you in return.

My classroom management improves when my lessons are well-planned and I am feeling confident and over-prepared.  If students believe that cooperation will allow them to get smarter and feel successful, then it's much easier to manage a classroom.

I also think students mostly want to do the right thing.  I try to give super-clear directions for each part of class and then I check to make sure they understand.  This can be tedious, but it's definitely worth it.  Routines can also be life-savers (and time-savers).  Invest some time in planning and practicing some important routines.  The best consequence is to make students do it again the correct way.

Finally, I try to stay positive and keep the spotlight on learning and good behavior.  If a student is misbehaving, I try to deal with it in the least invasive way so that I don't lost the momentum of the lesson or shift the spotlight to negative things that might be happening in the classroom.

Favorite Cartoon/TV/Movie Teacher

Mrs. Donovan (Charlie Brown's Teacher)

Favorite Book (to read or to teach)

The Road

Is teaching an art or a science? Explain.

I'll take the easy way out: it's both.

It's a science in that we are able to identify many of the specific actions and characteristics of good teachers.  I also think that effective teaching can be learned and a lot of best practices and resources can be replicated successfully.

That being said, great teaching is an art that is worthy of appreciation.  We've all seen a truly great teacher work his or her magic, and it is something pretty incredible to witness.

Describe your process of preparing a lesson.

I view each lesson as a piece of a much larger puzzle.  It all starts with a good long-term plan, which I lay out at the beginning of the year.  I try to design a year's worth of units that will allow my students to master of of the skills and concepts for both the New York 8th grade state exam and the 9th grade Integrated Algebra Regents exam.  This year I have also tried to look at more rigorous national and international assessments to make sure that my students are also exposed to more challenging problem solving tasks.

For each unit, I start by creating a unit exam by compiling questions from a variety of resources.  Then I map out all of the objectives that will lead students to be successful on this assessment, and put them on a calendar.

Finally, I am ready to create the daily lessons.  I start with an exit ticket that represents the answer to this question: What do I want students to know and be able to do at the end of this lesson?  Then I start looking through all of the resources I have amassed (textbooks, workbooks, colleagues' plans, etc.) over the years to see what looks effective, engaging, rigorous, etc.

How do you fit differentiation into your lessons?

I use targeted questioning and "cold call" students so that they are answering specific questions that I've planned especially for them.  I use heterogeneous partner groups so that students have a chance to help each other and get more chances to articulate their thoughts.  I have a scaffolded problem set for each independent practice with enough variety of problems so that students can get everything from basic practice to more difficult applications of each skill.

A lot of people think that differentiation needs to be something large in scale - creating multiple versions of an assignment or students working in stations, etc.  While these can be very effective, there are also lots of tiny ways to differentiate any lesson without needing to completely change the structure of your classroom.

Which teacher do you admire most and what makes him/her a great teacher?

I admire my principal because she has the perfect blend of personal humility and intense dedication that makes her well-liked by the entire staff (and even the students, which is pretty tough in a middle school).  She assumes the best of everyone and is incredibly thoughtful, and she always stays positive and focuses on solutions instead of problems.

Three words that describe your teaching persona

Relaxed, informal, questioning

Why teach? Or, how did you become a teacher?

I hate the helpless crying feeling when you know something is within your reach but you can't reach it. I want to extend the reach for those that are stretched to the max. I have never wanted to do anything else. My entire life has been preparing for this career. I know that I am meant to be here and do this for such a time as this.  

What would you be if not a teacher?

Interior Decorator / Graphics Designer / Wedding Planner

What do you do to optimize student engagement in class?

I try to think about how to get the students out of their seats, rotating positions/stations, creating something, or having a really intense conversation.

Coffee, tea, or caffeine-free?

Sweet tea, especially from McDonalds, but preferably homemade.

Describe your classroom management style (including a few best practices) in a few sentences.

I have none. I try to create a laid-back, informal environment where we can talk and joke around and have a good time as we work. I do my best to diffuse situations with humor. I do a lot of tsk tsk-ing. My main weapon is the "two nice things challenge." Anytime someone says a rude comment, they have to say two nice things. They tend to get tired of that and learn to stop themselves before saying the mean thing in the first place.

Favorite Cartoon/TV/Movie Teacher

Mr. Feeney!

Favorite Book (to read or to teach)

To read: Sophie's Heart; To read about teaching: Educating Esme

Is teaching an art or a science? Explain.

Teaching is both science and art because it contains procedures, rules, processes, experiments and results but also freedom, creativity, beauty, passion, and inspiration. Teaching can be learned and enjoyed; it's a practiced gift.

Who was your favorite teacher as a student? Why?

I liked almost all of my teachers. Different teachers affected me in different ways at different stages in different phases of my life. I value people I learn from and I always learned. Some years I came home and told my mom I couldn't wait to be a teacher so I could how show them how to do it right.

Describe your process of preparing a lesson.

I start out by using my Common Core pacing chart to see what I need to be teaching. Then I check with my instructional coach and my Twitter PLN to see if anyone has super awesome ideas or resources already created. If not, we brainstorm on ideas to try. Next I hit up Google for powerpoints, worksheets, or activities. I usually steal an idea and take off on my own to design how I want it to look. I first create some kind of warm up activity or review problems and then I write a summary question as an exit slip. Then I kind of use the idea I have and build around it. When I get stuck, I stop and ask my Twitter people what and how I should teach it. When I'm done, I try to think about what the students will be doing and how to make it more interesting or active. If I am content that my students will be actively participating, I save it and go to bed!

How do you fit differentiation into your lessons?

I try to do a lot of group work so I can take individual time talking with each group. Sometimes I set up stations that students rotate through independently so I can meet with students one-on-one. This is about all I have managed to do so far.

Which teacher do you admire most and what makes him/her a great teacher?

Jonathan McNeely. He has the insight to see inside your soul to the very seed of your passion and then carefully water it and bring it back to life. He teaches by what he says and what he doesn't. There is always a lesson to be learned in his words as well as actions. As he continually improves, he continues to improve those around him. He is always moving forward and finding ways to gain and create momentum. He questions things. He forces your mind to uncurl, open, and wrap your head around things you didn't previously think were possible. He teachers you how to learn so that you can teach.  

He teaches you how to teach.

What makes a teacher effective?

Being organized, assertive, and stubborn. Not giving up but always finding ways to improve. Caring about students 110% more than anyone has and supporting them longer than anyone else will. Consistency. Commitment. Caring.

Three words that describe your teaching persona

energetic, rigorous, helpful

Why teach? Or, how did you become a teacher?

"Earnest desire to save the world"

If you've read Ishmael by Daniel Quinn or My Ishmael, you will likely recognize this quote.  During college, I I read Ishmael as a freshman.  In the years that followed, I slowly gravitated to the education field for many significant reasons, but the most relevant for today's purpose was the stemmed from conversations with the professors whom I most respected.  They unanimously agreed that the most meaningful parts of their professional lives were the moments they spent in the classroom.   

I had worked with elementary through high school students but found that the age group that interested me the most were the middle school students as they began to ask questions about where they fit in the world and what the world holds for them.

I wanted to help students become better prepared for college-level science. In order to do that, I realized, they needed to be better prepared for high school science; therefore, I directed myself to middle school science.

What would you be if not a teacher?

Conservation biologist

What do you do to optimize student engagement in class?

"Nothing is interesting if you're not interested" resonates deeply with me.  I think of these words in terms of my students mostly, but also in terms of myself.  My students participate most when they're eager to know more about a particular topic, and the topics change every year.  I find that I need to be ready and watchful for whatever the topic is that catches their fancy.  One year it is different types of root systems and the following year it might be reasons why people hunt. That hook, that snippet that catches their interest can sustain student interest and engagement through an entire lesson, through a unit, through a year.

If I'm truly and deeply immersed in the material, I find the students will be as well.

Coffee, tea, or caffeine-free?

Chocolate

Describe your classroom management style (including a few best practices) in a few sentences.

My classroom management is probably the area I continue to need the most growth in.  My ideal management is a quiet style.   I find it is more effective to be the teacher that never yells rather than the teacher who always yells.  As I work towards this, I try to remember:

• when I am extremely tired or annoyed with something outside the classroom, I invoke my no-yelling rule.  I find it's tremendously effective, as once I raise my voice, the inclination to do so again increases.
• remember that students frequently mean well and that students are young and will make mistakes and poor choices. 
• remember that students have more than my class, or school, to worry about.  If as adults we do not always perfectly separate our personal lives from our professional lives, that students struggle much more with this than we do.  When possible, a few quiet words with a student goes much further than an immediate correction.

Other things:

• I find hand gestures and non-verbal communications are particularly helpful as they do not disrupt the flow of the lesson.  It's easy to motion a student to get a tissue or back to their work without interrupting the class.  It's much harder to argue with a look and a pause than it is to argue with a direction such as "Stop talking."
• During labs, I occasionally I will pause all activity to comment on what I'm seeing that is particularly strong or needs to be avoided. It's a quick 15-20 second "It's fantastic that group 5 remember to put the microscope in the middle of one desk." that permeates that classroom environment
• For labs and other group activities, I will use comment cards.  I have a set of index cards made up with feedback such as "Great participation!", "Great pace!", or "Weak participation," "Too Loud!". The cards are color coded for positive and negative feedback.  Cards can be distributed or removed at any point during the activity and multiple cards can be administered per group.  At the conclusion of the activity, the cards are accumulated into a gain or loss of dollars (we use a school-wide behavioral monitoring system based on money) for each member of the group.

Favorite Cartoon/TV/Movie Teacher

Mr. Holland (Mr. Holland's Opus)

Favorite Book (to read or to teach)

My Side of the Mountain

Who was your favorite teacher as a student?  Why?

I've had so many favorite teachers, it would be impossible to pick just one.  From my second grade teacher, Mrs. Holland who introduced me to the Boxcar Children, beginning my love of reading to many of my college professors who helped me to decide to pursue education as a vocation.

Describe your process of preparing a lesson.

Before I begin lesson planning, I like to create a unit plan.  My unit plan outlines the DN topic, lesson, HW topic, and new vocabulary for each day.  This allows me to play around with sequence and spiraling of material.  

Then, it depends on the lesson and the week.  There are some weeks, I write the lesson plans first Monday - Friday, followed by the materials I will provide to the students.

Other weeks, generally, if I have a lab or a project, I will begin by generating the handouts for students and then script the plans around the resources.  

I generally rely on the Internet for my resources and tailor what I find to my student's level and the school/state standards.

As one student pointed out during my first year of teaching, "Science is always fun because it's always different! The assignments are never the same."  While there are pieces that are routine and structures that are standardized, the flexibility I have in planning has created a curriculum that feels energetic and refreshing for the students.

How do you fit differentiation into your lessons?

Graphic organizers galore!  It took a while for me to really get the hang of creating a graphic organizer or finding an appropriate one, but I feel like I am able to create one for anything I teach at this point.  Additionally, I believe in small group learning.  I teach upper elementary and they really thrive in that kind of an environment.  It is also a way to differentiate for all students.  Sometimes we think only our "struggling" students need differentiation, but everyone does at times!

Which teacher do you admire most and what makes him/her a great teacher?

The teacher I admired the most was a professor I had my freshman and sophomore years of college, Dr. Barbara Munson Goff.  Of all my teachers, she made me the most aware of the importance of being able to think critically.  The second lesson she gave, which I didn't realize until years later, was the importance of living of a life of giving.  Her entire life centered around improving the well-being of everyone she came in contact with.  I'm certain that there are other lessons out there, lessons I will spend a lifetime uncovering.

What makes a teacher effective?

I believe the most effective teachers are the ones who have a motivation for teaching beyond just the desire to teach.   The effective teacher has a desire to teacher their students something fundamental about our world.  The urgency in the teacher's message is something students can latch onto.  For me, it's the desire for students to realize their responsibility in environmental stewardship. I'm a teacher because we need to do a better job using and caring for our world and that change will start with children. I've seen similar motivations in all disciplines, and I've noted a trend between this motivation and effective teachers.

Three words that describe your teaching persona

Technology-driven, Innovative, Humorous

Why teach? Or, how did you become a teacher?

I had planned on being a teacher my senior year of high school when my senior project was to teach a 4-week unit to 6th graders on tectonic plates.  I realized in graduate school, though, that my real passion was ESL and issues related to immigration and culture in the US.  Since then I've been an ESL teacher and special education teacher and am beyond intrigued by the concept of background knowledge and how it not only affects K-12 students, but all of us in our daily interactions.

What would you be if not a teacher?

Statistician

What do you do to optimize student engagement in class?

A lot of humor and collaborative learning styles.  I also make a lot of personal connections to anything we are learning about and I encourage my students to make the connections and share them with their classmates.  It keeps them engaged and build a great community.

Coffee, tea, or caffeine-free?

Tea

Describe your classroom management style (including a few best practices) in a few sentences.

I build relationships with my kids individually outside of class (we have lunch groups, we'll spend recess indoors playing a game or creating large poster drawings).  Generally that helps with management.  But outside of that I do a simple "sticker" system, where they get a sticker for each hour they are with me and on task and at the end of a month, they win a party.

Favorite Cartoon/TV/Movie Teacher

Charlie Brown's Teacher

Favorite Book (to read or to teach)

Snowy Day

Is teaching a science or art?  Explain.

I think it depends on what part of teaching you are working on.  I think the planning and organization of it is a science, making sure it's all put together.  But I think the actual implementation of lessons and working with students is an art.

Who was your favorite teacher as a student?  Why?

I have two!  Brian Weaver - 6th grade science - he was the most engaging teacher and he didn't let more than 5 minutes pass without making a joke.  I hated science until the 6th grade.  Naomi Horchak-Morris - 10th chem, 11th physics, 12th chem seminar, and my yearbook advisor - she was brilliant beyond belief and developed the best relationships with her students...we're now friends and get drinks whenever I visit home!

Describe your process of preparing a lesson.

I start by figuring out the end goal of what I want to students to learn and what I want them to produce.  Then I figure out what activity or reading or graphic organizer would be best to support them in a variety of ways to reach the ultimate goal (as a special education and ESL teacher, I think in terms of differentiation).  Then I begin to write up my specific objectives, materials and students groups (if needed).  I don't write typical lesson plans anymore, but I have those 3 components prepared ahead of time.  I also don't write up the standards since we have a "birdseye" of units and objectives for each grade level at my school.

How do you fit differentiation into your lessons?

Graphic organizers galore!  It took a while for me to really get the hang of creating a graphic organizer or finding an appropriate one, but I feel like I am able to create one for anything I teach at this point.  Additionally, I believe in small group learning.  I teach upper elementary and they really thrive in that kind of an environment.  It is also a way to differentiate for all students.  Sometimes we think only our ""struggling"" students need differentiation, but everyone does at times!

Which teacher do you admire most and what makes him/her a great teacher?

My two favorite teachers, I admire significantly!  Additionally, there was an AP physics teacher at my high school (I never took his course though).  The entire class loved him and said that he was so great because he was engaging, hilarious, knew a lot about his topic, used to present at conferences and then share the experiences with him and listened to Pearl Jam while planning.  For his wedding anniversary, his wife bought him a segway (the year they came out), he brought it into school and they took the entire thing apart and tried to figure out how it "really worked".  I think that completely explains why he was a great teacher. 

What makes a teacher effective?

Building relationships, creating engaging lessons, and a whole lot of humor!  Also, realizing that if a lesson doesn't go well, you have another day to try again...being a few days off from a pacing guide is not the end of the world :).

Three words that describe your teaching persona

Energetic, Dedicated, Creative

Why teach? Or, how did you become a teacher?

I decided to become a teacher for multiple reasons. For starters, when I was growing up my parents always put a tremendous emphasis on the power of education. As I got older, I quickly realized that not only did education lead me to pursue various interests, but it was the key to success. Therefore, I thought it would be tremendously rewarding to help a younger generation equip themselves with knowledge and a love for learning that will help them achieve future dreams. I also wanted to become a teacher because I wanted to be a part of the movement to close the educational achievement gap. As I learned more about the educational inequity in college, I started to believe that education is the civil rights issue of this generation. The fact that certain students receive a better education and therefore have a better chance of attending college and pursuing their dreams because of their backgrounds is disheartening. At first, I was interested in jumping straight into the policy side of the reform movement, but I quickly realized in order to have credibility on a macro level, it was important to experience teaching so that I could empathize with the struggles and successes of students, teachers, and communities.

What would you be if not a teacher?

Lawyer

What do you do to optimize student engagement in class?

In order to optimize student engagement in class I love to facilitate discussion. I usually do this by posing statements or questions, and allowing students to debate each other in a productive manner. In addition, while I do present information during an introduction of new material, I usually teach by asking questions. Therefore, the students begin to take ownership of their learning, and they truly remember what is being taught because they made the connections themselves. In addition, I always try to have a lot of energy (whether that means making a fool of myself or not) and come up with creative ways to teach topics.

Coffee, tea, or caffeine-free?

Diet Coke

Describe your classroom management style (including a few best practices) in a few sentences.

When it comes to managing students, I always try to remain calm no matter the situation (try is the key word). I find this really provides order. In addition, I usually only provide positive reinforcement and concentrate on who is doing what well. For instance, if students are not behaving, I'll stop what I am doing and talk to the misbehaving students and point out the great things that other students are doing. I have learned that students are very competitive. If you point out something that another student is doing well and they are not doing it, more times than not they will try to replicate that in order to show you, the teacher, and their classmates they are just as capable.

Favorite Cartoon/TV/Movie Teacher

Scooby Doo

Favorite Book (to read or to teach)

Team of Rivals

Is teaching a science or art?  Explain.

It's a combination of the two. I find there are definitely best practices that help a teacher optimize time in the classroom and help that person make great gains, but other elements of teaching can't be taught. For starters, an artful teacher will be able to always engage his/her students, recognize when to delve into constructive tangents, and think on his/her feet when adjustments need to be made. 

Describe your process of preparing a lesson.

When I prepare a lesson I really try to backwards plan. That means, I look at the objective that I want my students to accomplish, develop some sort of assessment that will judge whether or not they have mastered that objective, and work from there to figure out engaging, fun, and creative ways to get them to accomplish mastery. Because I teach Social Studies,  I love to do a lot of research and pull up fun facts and/or anecdotes that will truly grab their attention and spark conversation and intrigue.

How do you fit differentiation into your lessons?

I find that differentiation is one of the hardest things to incorporate into a class. I have tried many strategies, but I have the most success scaffolding material. What I mean by that is take an objective and start with easier material and work your way up to harder material. For some students, I might only expect them to master the easier material, while for others, I know they should master the more challenging material. Therefore, all the students are working on the same objective, but they are individually challenging themselves. In the end, I hold high expectations for all my students and challenge them to push themselves.

Which teacher do you admire most and what makes him/her a great teacher?

The teacher I admire most is Mr. Rosenfield, my 9th and 11th grade history teacher. Mr. Rosenfield was a tremendous teacher because he loved what he taught. He made his own curriculum, was passionate when he spoke about history, and was incredibly knowledgable. In addition, he made the class fun. He encouraged debate, and always looked towards the students to make the connections on their own. Various students went into 9th grade not loving the social sciences, but as they transitioned to 10th grade, many became history lovers because of Mr. Rosenfield. 

Three words that describe your teaching persona

Lively, funny and strict

Why teach? Or, how did you become a teacher?

I never thought that I'd become a teacher, but I am extremely lucky to have found such a rewarding career.  I love learning and, as a teacher, learning never ends.  Whether it's learning how to deal with certain classroom situations or about specific content, every day presents new and exciting challenges.  Teaching is exhausting, but to this day I have never woken up and said, "Man, I really don't want to go to work."  Trust me, I have had some classes and certain students that have given me a run for my money.  Regardless, I look forward to getting to school and teaching.  I take great pride in my career and wouldn't trade it for anything.  Well, almost anything...

What would you be if not a teacher?

A professional golfer or fisherman

What do you do to optimize student engagement in class?

I try to think like a 6th grader when planning.  Would my students benefit from boring lectures or hands-on activities?  I try to maximize cooperative learning and activities everyday.

Coffee, tea, or caffeine-free?

Black coffee in the morning, chocolate all day long

Describe your classroom management style (including a few best practices) in a few sentences.

I kind of need to be in control.  I achieve and maintain this by clearly outlining my expectations on day one and try my best not to waiver.  Structure and consistency are my best friend, but at the same time I adapt and modify things that aren't working out.  Being flexible is important.  Organization and clear lessons make management a lot easier.

Favorite Cartoon/TV/Movie Teacher

Mr. Kotter

Favorite Book (to read or to teach)

The Faithful Spy by Alex Berenson

Describe your process of preparing a lesson.

I adhere to the Understanding by Design (backwards planning) model.  I start with what I want my students to be able to do and then work backwards.  Planning assessments first, then lessons to get them there.

Which teacher do you admire most and what makes him/her a great teacher?

All of the teachers that I admire have the following traits: 1) They can lead students through challenging activities, while minimizing student resentment, 2) They hold students accountable and push them to exceed their abilities, and 3) Would make great administrators but choose to stay in their role as a teacher.

What makes a teacher effective?

Meticulous planning and the willingness to constantly change how they approach each lesson/unit. 

NBC News is currently hosting a summit in Rockefeller Plaza, NYC, about improving education in America.  Check out the program schedule here: NBC's Education Nation.  

One of BetterLesson's Featured Educators, Jim Larson, has the privilege of attending as a delegate from Charles A. Tindley Charter School (Indianapolis, IN).  You can check out his profile and curriculum on BetterLesson: Jim Larson.  Highly recommended for 7th grade ELA teachers.

For the summit, Jim submitted an opinion piece on the "culture of reflection" in the teaching profession. Read it here: OPINION: Lessons Learned by James Larson.  If you'd like, you can contact Jim by sending him a message through his BetterLesson profile.