"The past is a place of reference, not a place of residence." - Roy T. Bennett
Whew! One of the most difficult school years in recent memory is finally over. For many educators, it was the MOST difficult year in their career.
We found that our students have changed. The pandemic had a dramatic effect on learning outcomes, increasing the learning gap between socioeconomic groups. Disruptive behavior has increased, with counselors noting students having increased anxiety, depression, and school fights.
Given what we learned last school year, what can you do next year to make sure students’ needs are being met? We have five ideas.
Implement Social Emotional Learning. SEL improves academic achievement, reduces bullying, and builds character. Lost on which activities you can implement at your school? Here are three activities you can try this Fall.
Commit to inclusive teaching. From pronouncing names correctly to being genuinely interested in the backgrounds of our students, we’re creating a welcoming environment so students feel safe enough to be their authentic selves.
Focus less on testing and more on soft skills. According to a report from Monster.com, soft skills are among the top desired traits for candidates across industries. You can build these soft skills directly into your lesson plans. We love these ideas from AMLE.
Foster a growth mindset. Having a growth mindset means you understand that things will change, so you'll have to learn new things all the time. Challenges are seen as an opportunity to learn and grow.
Take care of yourself as much as possible. If you’re tired or emotionally drained, you won’t be able to do your job well. Avoid bringing work home on the weekends and commit to hanging out with friends and family.
What are some other ways we can ensure students’ needs are being met? Share them with us on Facebook and Twitter.