Are you feeling the impact of all the events in the world, your school, your life? It is astounding how one event, one thought, one action, leads to another and another. Life. When I was working with teacher mentors, principals, and new teachers in DC Charter Schools, in 2005, I met Dr. Atiba Vheir, a transformational psychologist, who has become a good friend. A transformational psychologist, an interesting title — a title that reflects her path and her work with students. D

By Nick Jones, CEI Intern Pop Math Much of the dialogue regarding implementing pop culture in the classroom is associated with literacy and language arts learning, but teachers can also find success using pop culture with math and science concepts. Take the Rappin’ Mathematicianâ„¢ for instance. After failing to reach his inner-city students, Alex Kajitani decided to use a medium that was of widespread interest to his students, rap. With lyrics like ‘just line up the dot and

By Kelley Wells, CEI Intern The world is a beautiful place to live, but it will not remain this way unless humans do something soon. Garbage. Our environment is being polluted by all kinds of trash.  Trash is waste that is useless and it is composed of paper, plastic, metal, glass, food and other kinds of material.  Garbage comes from governmental agencies, businesses and residential homes.  The United States disposes of millions of pounds of refuse each year.  This type of e

By Julie Rager, CEI Intern Have you ever walked into a classroom at your school, to find a student fast asleep? Sleep deprivation is a concern for many reasons. And the causes of sleep deprivation can be many (trauma, staying up to play video games, health concerns).  However, for students with ADHD, it is sometimes exacerbated by the very medications that are used to treat ADHD. NIH, the most common type of ADHD treatment are a class of medications called stimulants, which a

By Nick Jones, CEI Intern As the number of English language learners (ELLs) in the American public school system continues to grow, so too – do the methods for assimilating students and integrating the classroom. Supporting Students The process of cultural assimilation can be broken down into four approximate stages (University of Hull, 2014). The first stage, the ‘honeymoon‘ period, refers to generally positive feelings the student has about being in a new environment. After

By Nick Jones, CEI Intern This fall marks the first school year that ethnic and racial minority students are the majority in public schools. Such a shift in classroom demographics means that teachers will have to assess how to best meet their students’ needs all the while pushing for better test scores. Addressing academic weaknesses in English language learners (ELL) has proved challenging all across the country. In Florida for instance, Governor Rick Scott is appealing to t

By Michele M. Rivers Murphy, Ed.D., CEI Research Associate Tend well the garden of your soul’…  Live strong with purpose and compassion’… As we begin a new school year, we reflect where we have been and where we are going, and what we need to do differently to make a difference in the lives of our students. The Journey begins now . My Professional and Personal Journey Last month marked the beginning of an incredible journey.  I had the distinct pleasure of travelling with CEI