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...]
Woodshop vs. Computers
The other day I was asked by my supervisor whether I thought my students were enjoying shop class as much as they used to. I had to admit that fewer students had been signing up for shop at recess than in previous years. She was surprised. She knew during tours of our school the shop is always a big draw. It’s true. I see the potential students on the tour. They get to the shop and their eyes widen and a look of great excitement comes over most of them. Their parents/guardians too get … [Read more...]
Neuroscience and Learning
At the Learning & the Brain Conference, November 15-17 in Boston, teaching professionals from around the world gathered to hear renowned educators and neuroscientists explore new developments linking the two fields. One such workshop, Common Core and Neuroscience, presented ways that educators are able to meet the pedagogical shifts demanded by the Common Core by understanding the newest research from neuroscience. Jay McTighe and Judy Willis, MD, M.Ed., combined forces, noting that … [Read more...]
NISCE Ventures to Brooklyn
On October 23, NISCE co-hosted their first out-of-state professional conversation in Brooklyn, New York at the Miccio Center (NYCHA) in Red Hook with Find & Seek and WE Endeavor. We provided valuable context to the meeting with our model of "Why Context Matters– A Professional Conversation on Student-Centered Education.”The discussion was facilitated by Anna Allanbrook, the principal of Brooklyn New School, and included voices from Red Hook Playgroup, Bumblebees R Us, the Alex House … [Read more...]
Achievement Gap or Opportunity Gap?
On Wednesday, October 30th, at the Regent Theatre in Arlington, MA, Dr. Carroll Blake, the Executive Director for the Achievement Gap for Boston Public Schools, will facilitate a discussion following the screening of American Promise. The documentary provides a rare look into the lives of two middle-class black families as they navigate the ups and downs of parenting and educating their sons. The film aims to empower boys of color, their parents and educators and to help close access and … [Read more...]
NISCE To Host Sundance Award-Winning Film “American Promise”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Documentary Provides an Intimate and Personal Look at Race, Class and Opportunity. Arlington, MA, October 8, 2013 - The National Institute for Student-Centered Education (NISCE) and Schools for Children, Inc. (SFC) in honor or Black Male Achievement Month will host a screening of the critically acclaimed documentary "American Promise." Theatrical openings in New York and Los Angeles are October 18 and October 25, and NISCE and SFC will host the first public screening in … [Read more...]
Mindfulness in the Classroom: A Growing Trend
MINDFULNESS A recent article in the March 15, 2013 Huffington Post says "some schools have started incorporating mindfulness programs into their curriculums, teaching kids as young as five years old how to use body scans, mindful breathing and attention to their thoughts and emotions to become more focused." NEARI is one of those schools.More and more teachers are introducing contemplative or mindfulness-based practices into their classrooms. By using these approaches every day, they are … [Read more...]
“August To June” Acclaimed Documentary Highlighting The Joyful Approach to Educating
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monty Neill, Ed.D., Executive Director of FairTest To Facilitate Discussion on Film and Standardized Testing ARLINGTON, SEPTEMBER 11, 2013 - On September 18, 2013 NISCE and SFC will screen AUGUST TO JUNE, Bringing Life to School. The film, the first in a series of five, is a buoyant contrast to other recent negative portrayals of public schools. A perfect follow-up to the film Race To Nowhere, AUGUST TO JUNE shows that school does not have to operate on a predetermined … [Read more...]
