Two years ago I talked about using Learning Styles in the Classroom. Since then, I have worked with many teachers who agree that teaching to varied styles is critical but wonder how to do it well when they don't have many resources, administrators don't think it is important, they worry the class will get out of control, and they have so many students they can't meet all their different needs. These are legitimate concerns that, if left unanswered, might prevent some teachers from promoting this … [Read more...]
Promoting Behavioral Change in Students
When I work with teachers and other professionals, they often ask me, "What are the best things to do to deal with a particularly difficult student who just won't respond to limits?" I tell them there isn't a simple answer. They say they know, but they still ask. I wish there were a magic intervention for each difficult child, something that works in this moment. But in my experience there is no one sentence you can say, or consequence you can set, that will solve a chronic behavioral problem … [Read more...]
Time Out of the Classroom: Why It Matters to Today’s Youth and Education System
On Thursday, March 27th, at the Regent Theatre in Arlington, MA, NISCE will be hosting the film Brooklyn Castle. After the film, Melina O’Grady, EdM, an Education Consultant with over 20 years experience working with youth and youth programs in Boston and San Francisco, will facilitate a post-film discussion. The following are excerpts from an interview with Melina. ___________________________________________________________________________________ Brooklyn Castle highlights the personal lives … [Read more...]
NISCE To Host Award-Winning Film “Brooklyn Castle”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Documentary on Why After School Programs are Socially and Economically Advantageous. Winchester, MA, March 14, 2014 - The National Institute for Student-Centered Education (NISCE) and Schools for Children, Inc. (SFC) in partnership with Northeastern University College of Professional Services will host a screening of the critically acclaimed documentary "Brooklyn Castle" on March 27, 2014 at the Regent Theatre, in Arlington, MA.Winner of the Audience Award at the … [Read more...]
Beyond the SAT: Leveraging Noncognitive Measures of Success
This article originally appeared in OnlineSchools.org. __________________________________________________________ By the time students reach the end of high school, they will be well acquainted with cognitive skill assessments. Math, critical reading, and fact recall are prioritized in our traditional school systems, subjects that rely heavily on cumulative knowledge and memorization. Standardized scoring systems like the SAT, ACT, and GPA ratings might not provide a full picture of students’ … [Read more...]
Sanity and Humanity
As teachers in a school serving students with special needs, we have a little bit of advice we give one another from time to time. It comes in the form of an acronym – QTIP. When our students let loose on us in their anguish, anger, or misery, and we’re in danger of feeling overwhelmed, our colleagues will remind us to Quit Taking It Personally. If we were to take all our students’ pain and anger to heart we would quickly burn out or become basket cases unable to help ourselves or our … [Read more...]
Cracking the Behavior Code
The following is an excerpt from The Behavior Code: A Practical Guide to Understanding and Teaching the Most Challenging Students, by Nancy Rappaport and Jessica Minahan.__________________________________________________________________________________Ten percent of the school population—9 to 13 million children—struggle with mental health problems. In a typical classroom of 20, chances are good that one or two students are dealing with serious psychosocial stressors relating to poverty, … [Read more...]
Measuring Success
I am a wood shop teacher at Dearborn Academy, a special needs school serving Eastern Massachusetts located in Arlington, MA. Like many teachers these days I have been thinking about how to measure success. It is a question that comes up with my colleagues and it certainly appears in the media frequently. As is so often the case in these sorts of discussions, it is important to reach a common understanding of definitions. Success can mean many things. It can be an on going process or and end. … [Read more...]
NISCE and The College of Professional Studies at Northeastern to Host “Who Cares About Kelsey?”
Please note that this film is being rescheduled, please check back for updates, or sign up for our newsletter to get screening information when available. ____________________________________________________________________________FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Documentary Provides an Intimate and Personal Look at Mental Health in Our Youth Arlington, MA, January 10, 2014 - The National Institute for Student-Centered Education (NISCE) and Schools for Children, Inc. (SFC) along with Northeastern … [Read more...]
Engaging 21st Century Minds
For three full days, educators from our three schools did a deep dive into the latest research connecting brain science, technology, nature and learning. Attending the Learning & the Brain Conference in Boston, Shawn Brown (Seaport Academy Science Teacher), Dawn Crowe (Dearborn Academy High School Teacher), Mark Dix (Dearborn Academy High School Director), Stefanie Riegler (Dearborn Academy High School Teacher), Jenn Young (Lesley Ellis School Curriculum Director) and Sara Giffin (Lesley … [Read more...]
