marasimmons

Crisis- SEL is not an add on!

SEL, aka social emotional learning is critical to the development of young people and a future generation of policy makers, CEOs, scientists, …. that embrace sincerity, vulnerability, humility and confidence to lead this world out of the current implosion.

Homework: Embraced or Disregarded?

We are now into at least a month or two of school- honeymoon of when the students do as the teacher asks is way over. About now (or maybe even earlier) some students have decided to disregard homework and risk attending class with it not complete. Other students work hard to complete everything assigned regardlessContinue reading “Homework: Embraced or Disregarded?”

Engaging in Globally Relevant Projects

Perhaps I am from the old school of entering contests and can’t pass up a good one. Once to encourage my daughter at age 9 to write I paid £15 for her to enter a story in the Mogford Annual Writing Contest in Oxford. She was somewhat encouraged and did meet the deadline then afterwardsContinue reading “Engaging in Globally Relevant Projects”

Fitness Different Than PE

One of the things I appreciate about @CTL Academy under the direction of Dr. @agodialagbe is their bell schedule and the inclusion of both physical education and fitness. The distinction between the two is that physical education is taught by an experienced PE teacher and fitness is included as part of the whole school practice.Continue reading “Fitness Different Than PE”

First Day of School 22/23 in Abuja, Nigeria

The journey of one school’s transformation from a traditional school to embracing change and demonstrating thinking differently about a new year with a challenging start.

World Schooling- So Many Options

Since embarking on a nomadic lifestyle and trying to determine the best schooling options for my 11 year old daughter I have done a bit of research and learned to appreciate alternative models. There are some families that embrace being the educator for their own; we adamantly did not want this responsibility or relationship withContinue reading “World Schooling- So Many Options”

My 11 year old’s first day at her new school-almost like a continuation school

When I walked my daughter in to school today I could not help but to feel that I am walking in to a high functioning continuation school in Los Angeles. Albeit there are differences but more importantly are the opportunities that can take place in sharing common ground in the models. Continuation schools in LosContinue reading “My 11 year old’s first day at her new school-almost like a continuation school”

Happiness in Education

An old friend of mine, 40 years ago to be exact, recently wrote me on LinkedIn: I want to thank you for the many positive messages you send on LinkedIn to educators with whom you have worked or otherwise encountered. How do you do it? You’ve been an educator for nearly 30 years now, andContinue reading “Happiness in Education”