What You Love Can Be a Shared Path of Exploration with Your Students

I was able to connect hip hop to my teaching craft because of my own passion for it. Young people see right through inauthenticity. So while I would love for more and more educators to integrate hip hop into their work because of its power, I also do not recommend doing it if it is forced. Find your own opportunities to build authentic connections with young people and build learning opportunities for them from your own passions. Continue reading What You Love Can Be a Shared Path of Exploration with Your Students

Educator Spotlight: Finding Solutions for Invasive Species

High school biology teacher Beth Quinones worked with a team of educators to engage students in researching invasive species, developing a management plan, and communicating the plan to their target audience. Beth and her collaborators brought in invasive species professionals to deepen students’ understanding of the issue and organized a community event where students shared their management plans and calls to action. Continue reading Educator Spotlight: Finding Solutions for Invasive Species

Educator Spotlight: Investigating Ecosystem Diversity

Zana Pouncey, an educator at a botanical garden, asked students to step into the shoes of botanists studying the diversity of native plants in an ecosystem. Following methods used by the garden’s conservation team, students practiced identifying plants and conducted diversity surveys. Continue reading Educator Spotlight: Investigating Ecosystem Diversity

Educator Spotlight: Supporting Monarch Butterflies

Shernina Nichols led her second-graders through an exploration of monarch butterflies, including their life cycle and migration routes. Learning about the challenges monarchs face to survive inspired students to plant milkweed on their school campus and advocate for community members to support the butterflies. Continue reading Educator Spotlight: Supporting Monarch Butterflies