https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/education/blog/CollegeXpress: Education and Teaching Blog2024-03-29T12:55:26.838461+00:00python-feedgenhttp://www.CollegeXpress.com/interests/education/blog/5-great-reasons-you-should-become-teacher/5 Great Reasons You Should Become a Teacher2024-03-29T08:55:26.867849-04:00Fiona Mayberry<p>It’s no secret that good teachers are an important part of creating a stable, well-educated workforce. Unfortunately, the United States is facing a serious teacher shortage and will lack around 200,000 qualified teachers by the year 2025, according to the <a href="https://www.epi.org/publication/the-teacher-shortage-is-real-large-and-growing-and-worse-than-we-thought-the-first-report-in-the-perfect-storm-in-the-teacher-labor-market-series/">Economic Policy Institute</a>. And the coronavirus pandemic will likely make the situation even worse; <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2020/04/06/conoravirus-school-closures-student-teaching/5105809002/"><em>USA Today</em> reports</a> that extended school closures and the sudden transition to online learning could derail student teachers earning their certifications and limit their experience leading classrooms. </p>
<p>If something doesn’t give soon, the number of overcrowded schools will increase while the number of people willing and able to teach those classes dwindles. Now more than ever, we must encourage students to consider careers in education and teaching. While there’s admittedly <a href="https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes252021.htm" target="_blank">not much money</a> to be made in education, there <em>are </em>a lot of advantages to becoming a teacher. Here are just a few! </p>
<h2>1. It's fun</h2>
<p>According to a past Gallup poll, teachers are the most likely of all professionals to say they “smiled or laughed a lot yesterday” and consistently report experiencing enjoyment and happiness in their day-to-day routines. As <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/education/articles/what-life-teacher/what-being-teacher-really/">anyone who has ever worked in a classroom will tell you</a>, kids are often hilarious and highly entertaining. I taught for a long time and, even toward the end of my teaching career, my students were always inventing new ways to shock and surprise me.</p>
<h2>2. You’ll learn a lot</h2>
<p>It doesn’t matter what grade you decide to teach—you’ll inevitably be surprised by how much your students have to teach <em>you</em>. You’ll uncover things about the subject matter that you didn’t know, but your students will teach you other things too, like how to be patient and how to motivate people.</p>
<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/education/blog/10-things-i-learned-when-student-teaching/">10 Things I Learned When Student Teaching</a></p>
<h2>3. It will help you keep your own life in perspective</h2>
<p>Kids tend to make mountains out of molehills; an issue that would seem small to someone with experience may seem like the end of the world to a teenager.</p>
<p>A large part of being a teacher (especially if you end up <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/education/blog/3-things-you-need-know-about-student-teaching-middle-school/">teaching middle school</a>) is helping your students learn to discern between a fixable problem and an actual crisis. The process often allows you to keep your own life in perspective. It’s harder to justify acting childish when you work with children every day.</p>
<h2>4. Teaching is a respectable profession</h2>
<p>I’m the first to admit that teachers are often underappreciated, but our society <em>does</em> respect the many sacrifices that teachers are asked to make. Teaching is also one of the most trusted professions; <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/niallmccarthy/2019/01/11/americas-most-least-trusted-professions-infographic/#7e9978817e94">according to ratings by <em>Forbes</em></a>, high school teachers fall just behind medical doctors, nurses, and pharmacists in terms of honesty and ethics. And with the recent transition to homeschooling and online learning, many parents are realizing their children’s <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/20/opinion/sunday/teachers-coronavirus.html">teachers deserve a lot more respect</a>. </p>
<h2>5. Teachers get to be a positive influence on the next generation of young people</h2>
<p>Several years ago, Michelle Obama wrote an <a href="http://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2009/10/15/michelle-obama-teachers-are-key-to-a-successful-economy">op-ed for <em>U.S. News & World Report</em></a> discussing how “the most influential people...will be the people who stand up every day in front of their classroom.” According to the former First Lady, “we all remember the impact a special teacher had on us—a teacher who refused to let us fall through the cracks; who pushed us and believed in us when we doubted ourselves; who sparked in us a lifelong curiosity and passion for learning.” </p>
<p><strong>Related</strong>: <a class="large-title" href="https://www.collegexpress.com/lists/list/colleges-to-prepare-for-a-career-in-education/152/">Colleges to Prepare for a Career in Education</a><span> </span></p>
<p>For many people, this is the most attractive aspect of a career in education: the opportunity to inspire and motivate people. That said, it doesn’t matter whether you want to help guide kids around the dangerous pitfalls of adolescence or you’re just looking for a way to have fun in an academic setting—teaching is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling professions a person can pursue.</p>
<p><strong>Happy Teacher Appreciation Day to all the amazing educators out there! Do you aspire to become like your favorite teacher? Check out our <a href="https://content.yudu.com/web/43k20/0A43m2a/Education/html/index.html">digital magazine</a> featuring great Teaching programs and our list of great <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/lists/list/colleges-to-prepare-for-a-career-in-education/152/">Colleges to Prepare for a Career in Education</a>. </strong></p>http://www.CollegeXpress.com/interests/education/blog/special-shout-outs-teacher-appreciation-week/Special Shout-Outs for Teacher Appreciation Week2024-03-29T08:55:26.865666-04:00CollegeXpress<p>Today marks the end of Teacher Appreciation Week! This special week was created in 1984 by the <a href="https://www.pta.org/">National Parent Teacher Association</a> to honor the passionate and skilled men and women who teach across America. Like everything else lately, this week was a little different. Instead of seeing your favorite teachers in person at school, we hope you got to show your appreciation by whatever means possible—through a video chat, an email, an instant message, or other social distancing means. </p>
<p>We know a lot of students are missing their teachers right now (and vice versa), so we asked the CollegeXpress community to tell us about a teacher who deserves a special shout-out. Here are just a few of the awesome teachers out there who are making school and this difficult situation a little bit easier.</p>
<h2>Mr. Zamora from Veterans Memorial High School</h2>
<p>“Mr. Zamora is my favorite teacher. He’s very involved with extracurriculars, and <strong>his teaching style makes AP Biology fun</strong>. In addition to teaching AP Biology, Mr. Zamora is a soccer coach, PBS Challenge (quiz show) coach, robotics coach, and science fair coach. We traveled all over the country together from Pittsburgh to Phoenix for science fair and soccer competitions.” — Ibrahim Al-Akash from Corpus Christi, TX</p>
<h2>Mr. Pereira from Summit High School</h2>
<p>“Profe Pereira is a Spanish teacher, and I met him my freshman year. <strong>He's so nice and caring of all of his students. </strong>When people needed help, he was always there to clarify anything and everything. Even though I didn't have his class sophomore year, every time I visited his class that year, he was always welcoming. Everyone that meets him always says how nice he is and how they wish they could've been in his class. <strong>I can't wait to see him again next school year. </strong>I want to thank him for all he's taught me and give him a big hug for being so kind to me, for helping me with school stuff, and also just for listening. Thank you Profe for always being there!”— Celeste Villegas from Fontana, CA </p>
<h2>Mr. Houchens from North Laurel High School</h2>
<p>“Mr. Houchens is an incredible teacher with a vast and impressive knowledge of his subject. <strong>He takes interest in his students</strong> and relates to them on a personal level, <strong>making him truly exceptional.</strong>” — Arden King from London, KY</p>
<h2>Mr. Bellini from Bethel Park High School</h2>
<p>“Mr. Mike Bellini (11<sup>th</sup> grade English) is a <strong>great teacher and a great person</strong>. Not only has he gotten us ready for college and the real world by teaching us essay writing for college, he’s given us lessons on and relating to the real world (even though the in-person teaching was cut short this year). He also mixes in stories from his travels around the world, and his personal experiences into his lessons. <strong>He is the teacher I want to be.</strong> He isn’t strict but he pushes us to be the best we can be. I tell any sophomore I talk to who’s taking honors English to make sure they’re in his class.” — John Niccoli from Bethel Park, PA </p>
<h2>Ms. Isenhour from Cedar Ridge High School</h2>
<p>“My English teacher, Ms. Isenhour, is the <strong>perfect embodiment of what every teacher should aspire to be</strong>. She makes every lesson fun and memorable while connecting with students. Even during <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/student-life/articles/college-health-safety/resources-students-need-during-covid-19-pandemic/">a global pandemic</a>, she tries her very best to connect with us. She sends out surveys every week on how we like her teaching methods. She adapts to how we learn best, which is the mark of a brilliant teacher. She also shows a deep level of care outside the classroom; she is the photography club teacher, and she does a fantastic job. <strong>She’s kind in everything she does and shows genuine concern for her students.</strong> I’ve loved being her student, and I can genuinely say she’s been one of my favorite teachers.” — Anonymous student from Hillsborough, NC</p>
<h2>Mrs. Minor from Comanche High School</h2>
<p>“Mrs. Minor is the <strong>greatest teacher of all time</strong>. She not only gets the point across, but she connects with and cares about students as individuals. She loves us all and <strong>deserves the world!</strong>” — Shayson Lenee’ Hodges H. from Comanche, OK</p>
<h2>Mr. Kelsey from San Jacinto College</h2>
<p>Austin Rhoden from Houston would like to give a <strong>shout-out to Ross Kelsey</strong>! </p>
<h2>Mr. Norman from Provo High School</h2>
<p>“Tory Norman is a business teacher at Provo High, who’s also an advisor for two clubs. <strong>He pours his heart into every lesson</strong>, <strong>every afterschool activity, and every student</strong>. He's not only wonderful at teaching, but he's also an all-around brilliant man. He's kind and makes sure every single student knows that they're unique and more valuable than any mountain of gold in his D&D sessions. <strong>He learns everybody's names</strong> and has conversations with each of them, usually not about business or school but just about topics that person enjoys and how they're doing. I have yet to meet one person—whether that be administrators, teachers, or students—who doesn't love Mr. Norman. He's humorous, hard-working, sincere, and a wonderful light at Provo High School.” — Sarah Jane Bartholomew from Provo, UT </p>
<h2>Mr. Martinez from Madera South High School</h2>
<p>“I fortunately do have a favorite teacher. His name is Thomas Martinez, and he’s my US history teacher. He has always been so understanding, but <strong>he also never lets us give up</strong>. He can hold a conversation about anything without judgement. He tries to understand how we feel about certain things—whether it be how the class works or the classwork, he usually works around it. He’s also <strong>someone who you can consider a friend and not just a teacher</strong>.” — Jocelyn Avila-Nava from Madera, CA </p>
<h2>Mrs. I from Griffith High School</h2>
<p>“She’s helped grow my love for science to be stronger than it already was. <strong>Her class was what made me realize medicine was the career field for me!</strong> Mrs. I was the best teacher I’ve ever had, and I’m so thankful to have been her student.” — Anna Guistolisi from Griffith, IN </p>
<h2>Ms. Moreno from Presidio School</h2>
<p>“My APUSH teacher, Ms. Shelley Moreno, is <strong>the best teacher I've ever had</strong>, and the way she teaches in both a kind and stern manner has provided me with an example of the type of teacher I'd want to be.” — Anonymous from Tucson, AZ </p>
<h2>Mr. Manning from Catholic High School</h2>
<p>“Scott Manning is our religion teacher, but he isn't like a normal religion teacher. He gets us and understands who we are and what we go through, and it earns him a lot of respect from me and all my classmates. <strong>I don’t know if he’s ever been recognized for the great job he does</strong>, and I think it’s only fair that we recognize him for the phenomenal job he's done for us.” — Jack Schliewe from Baton Rouge, LA </p>
<h2>Coach Rhea from South Hills High School</h2>
<p>“I met Coach Rhea my freshman year, and honestly, she’s the best. She makes sure that we understand and gives us time to finish our work. She's not just a teacher; <strong>she cares about our feelings</strong>. When someone is down, she always makes sure that person is alright.” — Farah Hindo from Fort Worth, TX </p>
<h2>Professor May from Clarion University of Pennsylvania</h2>
<p>Sabrah McHenry from Clarion, Pennsylvania, would like to say <strong>thank you to</strong> <strong>Jennifer May</strong>!</p>
<h2>Mr. Williams from Lanier High School</h2>
<p>“The teacher I'd like to shout-out is Mr. Christopher Williams! He’s my Algebra 2 teacher, and he definitely helped make my senior year a breeze! <strong>He genuinely loves teaching and is amazing at what he does.</strong> Math is a tricky subject of mine because I forget certain steps after a period of time, but everything Mr. Williams taught stuck with me from beginning to end. I truly <strong>appreciate him for his kind heart and</strong> <strong>making math fun</strong>!” — Esther Anjolaoluwa Gbadebo from Sugar Hill, GA </p>
<h2>Mr. Norris from Dillon High School</h2>
<p>“I do have a teacher that deserves a shout-out. His name is James Norris, and he was my world geography teacher. <strong>He never gave up on his students</strong>. He always motivated me and treated me like I was his own child. <strong>He made every day better</strong>.” — Dukunde Marie-Paredes from Dillon, SC </p>
<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/education/articles/what-life-teacher/what-being-teacher-really/">What Is Being a Teacher Really Like?</a></p>
<h3>Why do you want to become a teacher?</h3>
<p>Some of our survey respondents are also interested in studying <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/education/">Education and Teaching</a> in college—in part because of the amazing job their own teachers do! Here are a few reasons why they want to pursue this profession. </p>
<p>“<strong>My eventual goal is to be a college professor,</strong> but I would also like the opportunity to work with high schoolers. I’ve always loved history, and I want to share it with others. I often tutor my peers, and one of the best feelings in the world is <strong>watching someone go from confused to excitement </strong>as they start to grasp the concept. High school is also a very delicate time for many teenagers; I aspire to be the kind of teacher that inspires students to keep going even when it’s hard. <strong>I’ve had many teachers in the</strong> <strong>past who’ve meant the world to me, and I want to be that for someone else</strong>.” — Anonymous </p>
<p>“I want to teach so that <strong>I can be a role model for kids</strong> the way my teachers have been for me.” — Anonymous </p>
<p>“It seems fun being around kids and helping them with life.” — Farah H.</p>
<p>“I <strong>want to become a history teacher</strong> because I have an interest in history, and I also want to <strong>give my future students a good learning environment</strong> while also making them interested in my lessons. I know sometimes kids just try to get through a class and/or absolutely dread a class; I want to give students the opposite experience.” — John N. </p>
<p><strong>Related: <a class="large-title" href="https://www.collegexpress.com/lists/list/colleges-to-prepare-for-a-career-in-education/152/">Colleges to Prepare for a Career in Education</a> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Are you interested in becoming a teacher? </strong><strong>Check out our <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/college/profiles/education/">featured colleges with great Education programs</a>,</strong><strong> or find more schools with Teaching majors using our </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/college/search/"><strong>College Search tool</strong></a><strong>. </strong><strong>And teachers: thank you for all you do, this week and year-round!</strong></p>http://www.CollegeXpress.com/interests/education/blog/what-it-means-be-teacher/What It Means to Be a Teacher2024-03-29T08:55:26.863214-04:00Kristen Loughlin<p>When I moved out of my childhood bedroom three years ago, I found a pile of notebooks beneath my bed. They were worn with age, the pages yellowed and frayed, but the handwriting was unmistakable—they were my childhood journals. I opened one and flipped through it, stopping on a page that read:<em> “I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up, but I do know one thing—I want to change the world.”</em></p>
<p>I was 11 when I wrote those words, but the heart of it will always remain true. I majored in Elementary and Special Education at <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/college/west-chester-university-of-pennsylvania/1100267/details/">West Chester University of Pennsylvania</a> seeking a way to make a difference, and I’ve certainly found it. All my life, and especially during my undergraduate years, I witnessed the power of education, the way it uplifts and nurtures, inspires and empowers. It is, I believe, the single most important influence on the future of humanity. To be a teacher is to hold that future in your hands.</p>
<h2>To be a teacher is to uplift and nurture</h2>
<p>“I can’t write.” The second grader sitting in front of me was adamant as he tossed his pencil down on his desk. “There’s no story in my head, so I got nothing to write down.” I was <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/education/blog/10-things-i-learned-when-student-teaching/">assistant teaching</a>, and the students had been writing stories for several days. This child in particular was known for his tall tales at recess; I’d overheard him telling the other children about a “velociraptor” he’d seen in the woods behind the playground. He <em>did</em> have stories in his head, and my goal was to help him realize it.</p>
<p>“So let’s talk instead,” I said. “What’s on your mind today?” He looked surprised at the question. But then he told me about his grandfather, who he’d just met for the first time. “I thought he was kind of boring at first. But then, I asked him to play baseball with me,” the boy said with a grin. “And he used his cane as a bat!” The story in his head came pouring out, and soon enough he’d written the whole thing down.</p>
<p>Teachers don’t just teach content—we teach <em>kids</em>. They’re at the center of everything we do as teachers, and every day is a new opportunity to make sure they feel valued and uplifted. In order to influence what students know, we must first understand and nurture who they <em>are</em>. Students must know that we care, that we value the interests and backgrounds they bring to the table. My future classroom will be many things—a library, a laboratory, a think tank, a theater—but above all, it must also be a home and a haven.</p>
<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/education/blog/5-great-reasons-you-should-become-teacher/">5 Great Reasons You Should Become a Teacher</a></p>
<h2>To be a teacher is to inspire</h2>
<p>Great teachers ignite students’ interests and inspire them to wonder and discover. They take on many roles—storyteller, historian, mathematician, scientist, caregiver—and each one brings learning to life. Children naturally want to find the “why” behind everything, and one of the things I love most about teaching is guiding students to discover the answers—and, better yet, inspiring them to keep asking questions.</p>
<p>Some of my most memorable lessons are those that took <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/education/articles/what-life-teacher/11-essential-first-year-teaching-tips/">a detour from my lesson plan</a> because of a student’s fascinating question. “But what about Jell-O?” brought us from an activity on the states of matter to a discussion about non-Newtonian fluids. “How do we really know what the author meant?” began a debate about which is more important: the author’s intention or the reader’s interpretation. “Why do we say the Pledge of Allegiance?” leads to still more questions, like whether “liberty and justice for all” is a description for our nation or an ideal to which we’re still striving.</p>
<p>Some of these questions have answers, and some do not. But all are products of critical thinking and act as catalysts for productive classroom discourse. When students are inspired to question, to consider, and to investigate, they grow as learners and individuals.</p>
<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/education/blog/why-you-should-consider-degree-education/">4 Great Benefits of Majoring in Education You Should Consider</a></p>
<h2>To be a teacher is to empower</h2>
<p>What children learn in school is powerful. In Rhode Island, a group of fifth graders used their education about the effects of burning fossil fuels on the environment to help draft and pass the Used Cooking Oil Recycling Act, a feat that adult environmentalists in the state had been struggling to achieve for years. A Girl Scout troop studied air pollution and the effects of thirdhand smoke, helping pass the first ordinance in Colorado to ban smoking in vehicles containing children. These students, and many like them, use what they learn in school to make real, valuable changes in their communities.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/education/articles/what-life-teacher/what-being-teacher-really/">The best teachers do more than just teach</a> the facts; they encourage children to consider why the facts matter. Education at its best helps students develop problem-solving skills, passion, and empathy. It transforms them from passive recipients of knowledge into agents of the change they want to see in the world.</p>
<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/education/blog/5-little-known-things-about-teaching-elementary-school/">5 Little-Known Things About Teaching Elementary School</a></p>
<h3 class="Header3">If teaching is your calling…</h3>
<p>As Mother Teresa once said, “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples.” This is what it means to be a teacher—to cast our stones, to instill in our students a love of learning. We give them the tools to make ripples wherever they go. For you may be only one person, but you are one person who <em>cares</em>.</p>
<p>If teaching is your calling, you’ll spend your hours in many ways. You’ll write lesson plans and IEPs, draft assessments, and send emails to families. You’ll tie shoes, zip coats, and dry tears. You’ll find yourself singing Schoolhouse Rock while peeling glitter glue out of your hair and wondering where it all came from. You’ll make your students laugh, make them think, make them believe. You’ll make them see the world in new ways. But most of all, you<em> will</em> make a difference.</p>
<p><strong>Interested in becoming a teacher? Check out this list of great </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/lists/list/colleges-to-prepare-for-a-career-in-education/152/"><strong>Colleges to Prepare for a Career in Education</strong></a><strong> to get your search started!</strong></p>http://www.CollegeXpress.com/interests/education/blog/5-colleges-inspiring-faculty-members/5 Colleges With Inspiring Faculty Members2024-03-29T08:55:26.861016-04:00Kevin Gardner <p>During your college search, you may find lists and rankings of schools with the “Best Undergraduate Teaching,” “Best College Professors,” or <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/lists/list/colleges-with-unusually-accessible-teachers/428/">“Unusually Accessible Teachers.”</a> Great colleges and universities hold themselves in high esteem because of top-notch faculty and resources they provide for their students. Every academic year, they celebrate and honor the performance of their faculty and staff—and you can tell a lot about a school by the staff and faculty it employs. Universities and colleges should not only educate students but inspire them, along with the academic and neighboring communities. Here are five colleges that are known for high-caliber faculty members who inspire their students.</p>
<h2>Washington University in St. Louis</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/college/washington-university-in-st-louis/2800032/details/">Washington University in St. Louis</a> provides its students with a high-quality education and access to renowned researchers and other resources. The faculty and staff prepare undergraduate students for graduate school and the professional world. The programs in the Schools of Law and Medicine are renowned, and <a href="https://source.wustl.edu/2018/05/trustees-meet-elect-new-board-members-and-officers-3/">the University's trustees</a> are men and women to take inspiration from; members like Gaurav Garg, Anna Manning, and Henry Warshaw are CEOs and founders on the board that students can look up to.</p>
<p><a class="inquiry_btn btn go sm mb-0 tracked" href="#" data-event-category="More Info" data-event-action="Inquiry" data-event-label="Content" data-scid="2800032">Connect with Washington University!</a></p>
<h2>Baylor College of Medicine</h2>
<p>Baylor College of Medicine is a private health sciences institution that’s a part of <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/college/baylor-university/1100847/details/">Baylor University</a>. The school provides exceptional instruction to students, supports them in their academic and professional careers, and prides itself on sharing knowledge and inspiring students to practice medicine. Recently, the College <a href="https://www.bcm.edu/news/baylor-college-of-medicine-appoints-new-board-members">appointed new board members</a> to develop and approve the school’s mission. Such members include Fayez Sarofim & Co. chairman Christopher Sarofim and Vinmar International founder Vijay Goradia. Schools with faculty members in high positions at companies that care about the community inspire students to become strong, compassionate leaders.</p>
<h2>Fisher College of Business</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/ohio-state-university-columbus-01174">Fisher College of Business</a> at <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/college/the-ohio-state-university-columbus/2800128/details/">The Ohio State University—Columbus</a> is a public research university. The College’s faculty stresses the importance of students to having one-on-one time with their professors, as paying attention to each individual student is crucial. Fisher College has concentrations in Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Human Resources, Leadership, Marketing, and much more. The School only accepts a small number of students each year to better individually guide every student through academics and set them on the best career path for them. Fisher College President Steven Rich has helped the school grow and has spent most of his career in leadership positions, even serving the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.</p>
<p><a class="inquiry_btn btn go sm mb-0 tracked" href="#" data-event-category="More Info" data-event-action="Inquiry" data-event-label="Content" data-scid="2800128">Connect with The Ohio State University—Columbus!</a></p>
<h2>Mayo Clinic College of Medicine & Science</h2>
<p>The <a href="https://college.mayo.edu/">Mayo Clinic College of Medicine & Science</a> is a renowned, private, graduate-only research university. Located in Rochester, Minnesota, it provides a specialized curriculum to train physicians, health professionals, and scientists. Mayo Clinic has a reputation for small class sizes and a lot of one-on-one attention, with instructors heavily involved in the academic journey of every student. Likewise, they’re willing to help their students learn beyond the classroom. An inspiring school puts knowledge first and is willing to help their students grow, just as Mayo Clinic does. On its board of trustees is Sam Di Piazza, recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. The College’s faculty members also include accomplished scientists, award winners, recognized authors, and talented physicians.</p>
<h2>Fordham University</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/college/fordham-university/1100929/details/">Fordham University</a> is a private research university in the Bronx, New York, with a reputation for having a strong sense of community. The University not only values its students but provides them with access to opportunities around the world. The faculty and staff are top-notch and care about their students; many of the professors who work at Fordham also teach at <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/college/columbia-university/3000453/details/">Columbia University</a>. With small class sizes, every student can count on individual attention and help outside of class if needed. Even the board members themselves have made contributions toward the University, like helping build new residence halls, a new law school, and more.</p>
<p><a class="inquiry_btn btn go sm mb-0 tracked" href="#" data-event-category="More Info" data-event-action="Inquiry" data-event-label="Content" data-scid="1100929">Connect with Fordham University!</a></p>
<h3>The importance of dedicated faculty</h3>
<p>Colleges and universities can help build a student’s mind by providing a foundation for future and current professionals; not only do colleges help provide students with structure during their education, but as part of the alumni, graduates often have a valuable networking community for the rest of their lives as well. Faculty and staff are an important but perhaps overlooked aspect to think about during your college search. The faculty members at your future college should have successful professional lives and stories that you can learn from—inspiring you to be the best you can possibly be.</p>
<p><strong>Find more colleges with inspiring staff members to apply to using our <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/college/search/">College Search</a> tool.</strong></p>http://www.CollegeXpress.com/interests/education/blog/how-choose-grade-and-subject-you-want-teach/How to Choose the Grade and Subject You Want to Teach2024-03-29T08:55:26.858605-04:00Alyssa Abel<p>If you’re considering becoming a teacher, choosing what subject and/or the age group you want to teach will likely be the first big choice you make when you get to college. Teaching is an incredibly rewarding career no matter what kind of teacher you choose to be. But how do you decide what grade level or subject you should teach when there are so many options? Here's how to choose where your teaching talents lie.</p>
<h2>Consider your passions</h2>
<p>When you think about teaching as a career, what gets you excited about your vocation—besides the prospect of full-time employment? Your calling in life is considered to be what you would do if money didn’t play a role in your decision-making process. You already know that teaching excites you, but ask yourself <em>why</em>. What satisfies you about the thought of teaching? Is it that “aha” moment when a student grasps a challenging concept? Maybe a certain subject matter excites you so much that you want to devote your life to becoming an expert. Think about the “why” before narrowing it down to your “what”—it will help make the answer clearer.</p>
<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/blog/how-discover-and-pursue-your-passion/">How to Discover and Pursue Your Passions as a Student</a></p>
<h2>Ask the right subject-related questions</h2>
<p>To answer the “What subject should I teach?” question, start with your passion and branch out from there. For example, if you love science, do you want to teach biology, chemistry, or physics? You might <a href="http://www.centerii.org/handbook/Resources/6_D_Differentiating_Roles.pdf">not get your first choice subject</a> in many districts if you lack seniority. Still, it’s wise to know what you prefer to teach and the potential for future openings in that specific field. Also consider how happy you’ll be in a related endeavor and whether your degree subject can extend to other career opportunities. For example, if you have your heart set on teaching biology, what could you do outside the classroom with such a degree? You might land a job with a conservationist organization, but if your other passion is lab work, concentrating on chemistry might serve you better.</p>
<h2>Narrow down your grade level</h2>
<p>If you want to teach advanced particle physics, kindergarten probably isn’t your best grade-level option. In fact, you might want to skip K–12 altogether if you’re thinking about a subject that complex. Think about whether you’re more interested in the specific subject matter or the teaching process itself—this can help you narrow down what grade level will be a good match. If you enjoy teaching primary skills and small children, you might love working as a kindergarten teacher. You also might realize that <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/education/blog/5-little-known-things-about-teaching-elementary-school/">elementary-level grades</a> suit your patience level better if you like little ones but want relatively self-sufficient students. Many teachers prefer middle school teaching for this reason because it falls between the challenges teachers often face with high school teens and children in elementary school; middle school students are old enough to assert their independence while maintaining enough impressionability to know you’re making a difference. On the other hand, if you love your subject matter and really want to focus on something specific, high school might be your jam. You can relate on a more mature level when discussing novels or the ramifications of scientific experiments, and you won’t need to teach basic skills or concepts like reading, writing, phonics, and more.</p>
<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/education/blog/what-it-means-be-teacher/">What It Means to Be a Teacher</a></p>
<h2>Evaluate your future goals</h2>
<p>While you probably don’t want to imagine working outside the classroom, life happens. You might decide to relocate after college and move to a <a href="https://www.workandmoney.com/s/average-salary-teachers-every-state-d6dd6ac7a8e343b6">state with different income standards</a> than teaching positions in your current area. In addition to your Education degree, think about pursuing a secondary certificate, minor, or double-major in another subject you love so you can take a job in another field should the need arise or if your dreams change. Planning your future goals and backup plans now will make finding a job—and advancing it—that much easier after you graduate.</p>
<h2>Think about employment and market trends</h2>
<p>When you’re choosing the subject matter you want to teach, think about what’s in demand as well as what you love. Right now, demand for STEM fields remains high, so consider concentrating on one of those areas if you’re interested in them. But don’t let that dissuade you from the arts; although, you might want to <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/performing-and-visual-arts/articles/academics-arts/music-students-double-degree-right-you/">consider a double major</a> if you favor a field like music. “Specialty” teaching areas like art, music, and languages likely have few positions per school, so be sure to consider the job possibilities and the likelihood of available positions as you narrow down your options.</p>
<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/education/articles/careers-education/job-search-tips-teachers/">The Where, How, and When of Finding a Teaching Job</a></p>
<p>When it comes to planning your career in education, you should let your heart be your first guide—but think about the practical aspects of your professional goals as well. A healthy mix of the two could lead you to your ideal gig, whether it be teaching the basics to kindergarten students or explaining complex math to high school students. No matter what, students need inspiring teachers to guide them in their own academic journey, and whatever path you take will give you the ability to do just that.</p>
<p><strong>For more advice on your way to a rewarding teaching career, check out our </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/education/"><strong>Education and Teaching</strong></a><strong> section.</strong></p>http://www.CollegeXpress.com/interests/education/blog/inside-look-student-teaching-and-pandemic/An Inside Look at Student Teaching and the Pandemic2024-03-29T08:55:26.856608-04:00Ginger Abbot<p>When you dream about your future career, do you imagine yourself standing in front of a whiteboard in a room full of students? Teaching is a rewarding career, but it has also faced some significant challenges during COVID-19. Undergrads and high school students should get a better idea of what they’ll contend with when it’s time to enter the classroom as a teacher. Make sure you’re ready for these pandemic twists on traditional student teaching experiences before making any big career decisions. Here are the details about what student teaching is really like and how it’s changed during the pandemic.</p>
<h2><strong>Connect to your students</strong></h2>
<p>Every student enters the classroom looking for a connection. When they trust their teacher and feel accepted, school-related anxieties become less intense. Anyone wondering what to expect while student teaching should look forward to and find ways to connect with students, both in person and online. Virtual classrooms pose a challenge to bonding with your students, but it’s not impossible. Exercises like ice breakers or journaling will <a href="https://www.edutopia.org/article/3-ways-build-relationships-person-or-virtually">build relationships in an online classroom</a> so you get a better sense of how to comfort and teach your students. </p>
<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/counselors-and-parents/college-counselors/articles/articles-college-counselors/pandemic-problems-resources-share-students/">Pandemic Problems: Resources to Share With Students</a></p>
<h2><strong>Make learning fun</strong></h2>
<p>Providing some fun is an integral part of student teaching. Challenging lessons or monotonous reading from textbooks will bore students from grade school all the way to college. A light spirit and entertaining moments are especially crucial during a pandemic. Any instructor can <a href="https://freespiritpublishingblog.com/2020/10/15/13-fun-ideas-to-make-virtual-learning-special-for-your-students/">make virtual learning more fun</a> by considering their students’ ages and interests. Younger kids will perk up if you show up in a costume, while college students might enjoy virtual field trips or book clubs. Your approach will depend on who you teach and how much time you spend with your class.</p>
<h2><strong>Note learning preferences</strong></h2>
<p>You can help keep students engaged and focused by tailoring lessons to their learning preferences. An essential part of student teaching during the pandemic is working with your class so no one struggles to understand lessons because of remote learning roadblocks. Take <a href="https://www.successbydesign.com/blogs/news/what-is-kinesthetic-learning-benefits-of-hands-on-learning">kinesthetic learners</a>, for example. They absorb information better if they can <a href="https://www.successbydesign.com/blogs/news/how-to-keep-students-focused-10-student-engagement-strategies-for-teachers-and-parents">connect educational lessons with physical experiences</a>, like working through a problem with their hands. Mail coloring pages or craft supplies ahead of the week’s lessons so students have materials that assist their understanding of each assignment. It’s extra steps like these that make you a better teacher, even while you still conduct lessons under supervision.</p>
<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/blog/how-create-effective-distance-learning-routine/">How to Create an Effective Distance Learning Routine</a></p>
<h2><strong>Create flexible lesson plans</strong></h2>
<p>Another aspect of <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/education/blog/10-things-i-learned-when-student-teaching/">student teaching in college</a> is learning how to make lesson plans. Every school system does it differently, so how you formulate your weekly or semester plans will depend on where you teach. It can be helpful to work with a lesson plan template, whether it’s one your cooperating teacher uses or one you create for what works for you. Still, the pandemic has changed how teachers approach their lessons because the future is much less dependable. Your lesson plans should contain backup ideas and remain flexible. If you need to switch to online learning, in-person classes, or a hybrid mix, you might not get much warning. Consider how you’d <a href="https://www.apa.org/ed/precollege/psychology-teacher-network/introductory-psychology/flexible-teaching-covid-19">switch your lesson plans</a> if or when state and federal regulations require it.</p>
<h2><strong>Put your energy into staff relationships</strong></h2>
<p>Building relationships with your peers is something you can expect from student teaching. It’s part of any job but especially important when you work in a school. Pay extra attention to these budding relationships during your time as a student teacher. Schedule video chats and phone calls to get to know your mentors. They may vouch for you if you apply to work there full-time after graduation or become valuable sources of recommendation for future job applications. They’re also a deep well of experience to draw from if you have questions or concerns about your role. </p>
<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/career-search/blog/how-start-networking-top-tips-and-tricks/">How to Start Networking: Top Tips and Tricks</a> </p>
<p>Student teaching during the pandemic, and in general, isn’t always easy, but you can learn a lot from it. These tips will help you become a better teacher during and after quarantine. Use them to strengthen your communication and interpersonal skills so you’re the best teacher and colleague you can be when your teaching career begins.</p>
<p><strong>Don’t forget about our </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/student-life/articles/college-health-safety/resources-students-need-during-covid-19-pandemic/"><strong>COVID-19 student resource</strong></a><strong> page, where you can find all the information and advice you need to navigate school during the pandemic.</strong></p>http://www.CollegeXpress.com/interests/education/blog/5-ways-sel-can-help-low-income-students/5 Ways SEL Can Help Low-Income Students2024-03-29T08:55:26.854637-04:00Jonathan Bara<p>Students living within families classified as low-income may lack access to essentials such as food, clothing, and utilities. But low-income students also face unique educational challenges, including fewer resources and opportunities and less support for advancement. On top of this, many don’t have the digital equipment or internet connection necessary for online education. The COVID-19 pandemic has widened the income gap between low- and high-income households, further exasperating these issues. However, there are several ways Social-Emotional Learning can help low-income students thrive both in the current crisis and beyond.</p>
<h2>What is Social-Emotional Learning?</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.positiveaction.net/what-is-sel">Social-Emotional Learning</a> (SEL) is the vital framework through which people of all ages acquire skills to better work toward their own unique goals, comprehend and manage their emotions, nurture positive relationships, make informed choices, and feel and exhibit empathy. Learning SEL provides students with the abilities required to succeed in life, both academically and beyond.</p>
<h3>How SEL can be taught in the classroom</h3>
<p>It's widely considered that teaching social and emotional learning from an early age helps students develop skills that can be carried throughout their childhood and adolescence. Teaching SEL in school generally follows a series of steps, including:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Step 1:</strong> An explanation of a particular SEL concept by the teacher, often using pictures, video, audio, or written text.</li>
<li><strong>Step 2:</strong> Students gain a deeper understanding of the concept through skill practice, discussion with a peer group or partner, and/or individual writing tasks.</li>
<li><strong>Step 3: </strong>The teacher revisits and reinforces concepts throughout the week. They may also send work home for students to work on alongside their parents or guardians.</li>
<li><strong>Step 4:</strong> The teacher then checks for understanding moving forward, re-teaching specific points as required.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/student-life/blog/how-manage-emotions-during-tumultuous-times/">How to Manage Emotions During Tumultuous Times</a></p>
<h2>How SEL can help low-income students</h2>
<p>There are a variety of ways Social-Emotional Learning can benefit disadvantaged students to help them succeed in the classroom, improve their academic performance, and put them on the path to future success. Here are five reasons why SEL is more important than ever in today’s climate. </p>
<h3>1. Coping with stress</h3>
<p>Life can be stressful at any time, but COVID-19 has thrown the world into disarray. Families of low-income students were some of the first to suffer from economic instability and a rise in unemployment. Add strict social distancing guidelines, the need to wear masks, and general uncertainty about the future, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for extreme mental stress for already vulnerable children.</p>
<p>For many students from low-income families, school was the one stable element in their lives prior to the pandemic. After months of school closures, emergency remote instruction, and stay-at-home orders, some schools switched to remote learning exclusively, while others tried different hybrid models with more or less success. Some schools opened their doors only to end up in quarantine a few weeks later. Disruptions aside, both in school and with distance learning, educators all over the US are focusing on assisting disadvantaged students with a <a href="https://thejournal.com/articles/2020/04/28/updated-free-sel-resources-for-schools-during-the-covid-19-outbreak.aspx">wide range of resources</a> that can give students the self-management tools they need to process the unavoidable changes and instability of a global pandemic as well as their emotions and fears.</p>
<h3>2. Enhancing academic success</h3>
<p>There’s a strong correlation between a student’s emotional and social well-being and their academic performance. Studies show that SEL programs help improve test grades and increase graduation rates as they cultivate a learning environment where students feel safe and valued, fostering a positive attitude toward education. Students who <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/blog/how-build-better-relationships-your-teachers/">feel comfortable with their educators</a> are also more likely to communicate and engage in class activities or distance learning meetings, improving the learning experience.</p>
<h3>3. Reducing behavioral problems</h3>
<p>In many schools, Social-Emotional Learning is a vital tool to discourage harmful and antisocial behaviors. An effective SEL program teaches students to regulate their emotions, take responsibility for their decisions, and empathize with others. These social skills lead students to naturally display more positive, socially adapted behavior, preventing disruptions to their learning processes.</p>
<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/student-life/blog/importance-mental-health-covid-19-world/">The Importance of Mental Health in a COVID-19 World</a></p>
<h3>4. Promoting equal opportunities</h3>
<p>Some children have the advantage of having a supportive, invested family with a wealth of resources, while others are stuck in a vicious cycle of poverty that bogs down generation after generation. SEL curriculums offer a way to bridge this socioeconomic gap and give every student an opportunity to thrive. Social-emotional skills allow students to <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/student-life/articles/college-health-safety/how-colleges-are-helping-students-meet-basic-needs/">overcome income-related obstacles</a> by encouraging positive goals and constructive plans while giving them the self-confidence to make empowering decisions. They also reduce anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal, among other emotional conditions that can affect a student’s education and personal life.</p>
<h3>5. Investing in a student’s future</h3>
<p>SEL focuses on valuable lifelong skills that can positively impact a students’ entire future, influencing their personal, professional, and social success. When a college graduate is looking for employment, they have to demonstrate relevant education, necessary technical skills, and prior experience. This step is essential, but it’s not enough. More and more often, employers emphasize qualities such as:</p>
<ul>
<li>Effective communication</li>
<li>Fluent teamwork</li>
<li>Self-motivation</li>
<li>Independent thinking</li>
<li>Problem-solving skills</li>
</ul>
<p>And there’s good reason for this. Employers understand that high motivation, stellar <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/career-search/blog/top-10-hard-and-soft-skills-all-employers-want/">interpersonal skills</a>, and well-balanced decision-making may be just as crucial to the team as a prestigious degree and technical proficiency. Social-emotional skills assist with these requirements, granting applicants the ability to take personal responsibility, self-regulate, and demonstrate positive social skills. These “real-life” skills can tilt the decision in favor of the more socially and emotionally adapted candidate.</p>
<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/career-search/blog/9-tips-developing-soft-skills-graduation/">9 Tips for Developing Soft Skills Before Graduation</a></p>
<p>Social and emotional learning can make a tremendous, lifelong difference for disadvantaged students by giving them the tools they need to improve their emotional well-being and social behavior. The result is improved academic performance and more available opportunities for future career paths.</p>
<p><strong>For more advice specifically for low-income families, check out this article on <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/admission/articles/find-college/help-disadvantaged-students-college-search/">College Search Help for Disadvantaged Students</a>.</strong></p>http://www.CollegeXpress.com/interests/education/blog/look-where-teachers-are-needed-most-us/A Look at Where Teachers Are Needed Most in the US2024-03-29T08:55:26.852361-04:00Ginger Abbot<p>There’s a shortage of teachers in the United States right now. In a (kind of) post-pandemic world, there are many different states in need of teachers, and specific subjects need more educators too. Whether you’re majoring in Education and thinking about changing specialties (or states) or you’re a high schooler who wants to pursue Education in college, now is a great time to consider your future in the field. Overall, teachers are in high demand, but certain types of teachers are in demand more than others. If you’re curious about where your educational career could head, here are the subjects and states that need teachers more than ever.</p>
<h2>States that need teachers</h2>
<p>Almost every state is facing a teacher shortage, though <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/education/articles/careers-education/job-search-tips-teachers/">some places have a higher need</a> than others. Here are a few of the states that need teachers the most. If you’re willing to relocate, you might want to consider them when thinking about where to go to college to become an educator or where you might want to live after you graduate.</p>
<h3>Arizona</h3>
<p>Arizona is one of the states experiencing some of the most extreme teacher shortages at the moment. Specifically, teachers are being sought in more rural areas of the state. Arizona is also seeking well-educated teachers in a variety of subjects.</p>
<h3>California</h3>
<p>California may be the state with the most severe school staffing crisis, with <a href="https://www.brandman.edu/news-and-events/blog/a-closer-look-at-the-critical-california-teacher-shortage">80% of school districts</a> experiencing some form of teacher shortage. Specifically, special education teachers are in high demand across the state, so consider this field when choosing your concentration.</p>
<h3>Hawai’i</h3>
<p>As beautiful and relaxing as life in Hawai’i can be, the high cost of living and the island isolation can make it difficult for schools and districts to retain teachers in all subjects. Recently, they’ve even elected to <a href="https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/new-from-nea/hawaii-educators-tackle-teacher-shortage-ambitious-5-year-plan">raise teachers’ pay</a> over the course of the next five years in order to combat this issue.</p>
<h3>Nevada</h3>
<p>Whether you’d rather migrate closer to the city center of Las Vegas or prefer to be in a more rural desert environment, both areas of the state of Nevada are in need of teachers of all kinds. Nevada can provide a variety of lifestyle options that may be perfect for your personal and professional life.</p>
<h3>Washington</h3>
<p>Washington is facing a teacher shortage specifically in the subjects of math and science, but they’re in need of more special education teachers too. Teachers are in high demand in both the larger cities and in more rural parts of the state.</p>
<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/education/articles/becoming-teacher/great-education-and-teaching-colleges-west/">Great Education and Teaching Colleges in the West</a></p>
<h2>Subjects that need teachers</h2>
<p>In addition to states that need teachers overall, there are <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/education/blog/how-choose-grade-and-subject-you-want-teach/">certain subjects</a> that have been experiencing an overall decline in the number of teachers available. While it’s possible to use creative tools and learning solutions to fill the gaps in teaching, in the long run, teaching positions need to be filled in a variety of subjects like the ones below. </p>
<h3>Mathematics</h3>
<p>There’s been an overwhelming need for math teachers recently, across all levels and disciplines of the study. If you’re on your way to becoming a math teacher or interested in majoring in Math in college, this could be a calling for you!</p>
<h3>Special education</h3>
<p>Many states are in need of special education teachers, including California, Washington, Arizona, and more. Special education requires specific knowledge and academic specializations as well as calculated learning strategies and classroom tools, but it’s absolutely necessary to have in schools. Many teachers find this field particularly rewarding.</p>
<h3>Bilingual education</h3>
<p>Bilingual education—both in the languages themselves and in various subjects—has been growing in the past few years, and the <a href="https://texespact.com/5-in-demand-subjects-that-need-teachers/">need for bilingual education teachers</a> has increased alongside it. If you speak a second or third language fluently, it could be an educational asset.</p>
<h3>Foreign languages</h3>
<p>Foreign language education isn’t the same as bilingual education, but it’s equally in need of more teachers. Many high schools don’t have a foreign language education teacher at all right now—whether that’s Spanish, French, Japanese, or any other language—so foreign language education teachers have been in much higher demand recently.</p>
<h3>Social studies</h3>
<p>Social studies is another discipline that has lost many teachers in recent years. Teaching students how civilizations and societies work can be really fun. If you’re interested in becoming a teacher, this could be a great avenue for you to explore.</p>
<p><strong>Related: <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/education/articles/becoming-teacher/colleges-great-teaching-programs-east/">Great Colleges and Universities for Education in the Northeast and South</a></strong> </p>
<p>There are so many states and subjects in need of more teachers. Whether you’re already a teacher or you’re thinking of becoming one, knowing where educators are needed can help you find a path that’s right for you and where you can fill a much-needed gap.</p>
<p><strong>Get more advice on your path to becoming a teacher in our <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/education/">Education and Teaching</a> section.</strong></p>http://www.CollegeXpress.com/interests/education/blog/look-us-high-schools-and-covid-19-precautions/A Look at US High Schools and COVID-19 Precautions2024-03-29T08:55:26.850398-04:00Sara Karnish<p>The pandemic essentially upended every aspect of everyday life back in March 2020. Practices like social distancing and masking became the norm. Businesses of all sizes shut down, employees worked remotely, and schools delivered instruction through virtual learning. As students, teachers, parents, and staff begin another school year, district administrators across the country are re-evaluating their 2020–2021 COVID-19 health and safety plans to determine what worked and what didn’t. This information is used to develop and implement reopening plans for the new year with the goal of maintaining safe in-person learning environments as the ongoing pandemic continues to change.</p>
<h2>A look at private high school</h2>
<p>Dr. Maria Kreiter, Executive Director of <a href="https://fairwold.phmc.org/">Fairwold Academy</a>—a licensed private school serving an exclusively special education population in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania—said her school with 235 students was completely virtual as of March 2020. Virtual learning was particularly difficult for Fairwold’s students, many of whom didn’t have access to in-person resources and support they have at school. “Kids responded in one of two ways: They either did really well, or they struggled,” Kreiter says. “Our students in full-time emotional support did well because being at home limited the distractions they would have in a typical classroom. What was difficult for kids was their <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/articles/college-academics/4-ways-avoid-isolation-online-student/">social interaction was limited to the screen</a>. I suspect we’ll see some long-term effects of that this school year.” </p>
<p>This year, students at Fairwold have fully returned to school with no virtual program option. “We have a health and safety plan required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and we feel it’s been effective,” Kreiter says. All staff and students have daily temperature checks, masks are readily available, and they do contact tracing, but the biggest challenge will be getting off campus for things like field trips and job coaching. “In special ed, transitions are important,” Kreiter explains. “With things like employment and job coaches, that’ll be limited.” Fairwold Academy’s parent organization, PHMC, is under a public health umbrella, she adds. “PHMC has a very comprehensive COVID response program. We feel our response has been extremely efficient. We work with a great organization that’s tuned in to public health.”</p>
<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/student-life/blog/creative-ideas-socializing-pandemic-continues/">Creative Ideas for Socializing as the Pandemic Continues</a> </p>
<h2>A look at public high school </h2>
<p>Unlike most schools across the country, <a href="https://www.bigfoot.k12.wi.us/">Big Foot High School</a> in Walworth, Wisconsin, did <em>not</em> shut down at all in 2020. Instead, they increased cleaning efforts, had their HVAC system cleaned, and <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/student-life/blog/covid-19-why-social-distancing-important/">enforced six-foot distancing</a>. Big Foot is a high school district, so all their students are of eligible vaccination age. “We’re encouraging [vaccinations],” says District Administrator Doug Peters. “We offered a few [vaccination] clinics in the fall.” Peters explains that this year looks very similar to last year, except the school went down to a three-foot distance rule. “We’re doing all the same things as last year—proper hygiene, washing hands, Plexiglas barriers. Our tables in the cafeteria are round, and we’ve installed Plexiglas barriers so it’s like a pie.” It’s those common times that are the biggest issues, Peters says. “A lot of it is just education. We remind the students the virus is still here, so be an adult—wash your hands, and if you feel sick, stay home.”</p>
<p>Although most districts now have <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/majors-and-academics/blog/how-make-online-learning-work-better-you/">virtual learning resources</a> in place, administrators are dedicated to keeping classes in person and taking the necessary safety measures to make it happen. “We’re back to full capacity but still offering a virtual option to those with medical justification,” says Ron Agostinoni, Principal of <a href="https://www.shenet.org/">Shenendehowa High School</a> in Clifton Park, New York. Shenendehowa High School has 3,200 students, and they went from having 950 virtual learners last year to only 42 this year. “It’s ever-changing; we’ve learned to be flexible,” Agostinoni says. “New York has a new governor, and the Department of Health came through with a policy of masks for all students regardless of vaccination status.” </p>
<p>The recommendation for spacing at Shenendehowa is also three feet, though they don’t sacrifice learning for spacing, Agostinoni explains. “We are three feet 90% of the time…We’ve ordered about 50 more tables for lunch. We have two cafeterias, and we don’t have any academic areas around the café, so we put tables in hallways.” Additionally, a masking policy is in place at the school, requiring them to be worn at all times. Teachers combat this by conducting classes outside to allow everyone regular mask breaks throughout the day. According to Agostinoni, “Students have been pretty good about it. We have a lot of kids, and I can probably count the number of issues we’ve had on one hand. I thought the masking would be more difficult.” </p>
<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/student-life/blog/video-staying-healthy-while-school/">Video: Staying Healthy While at School</a></p>
<h2>A look at secondary technical school</h2>
<p><a href="https://berkscareer.com/">Berks Career and Technology Center</a> (BCTC) in Leesport, Pennsylvania, relied on adequate spacing and altered traffic flow as major components of their mitigation efforts, according to Ray Jenkins, Assistant Principal and School Pandemic Coordinator. “Our health and safety plan was almost 60 pages,” he says. Last year, some of the many protocols in the document included maintaining six feet of space, one-way seating in the café, slowed-down arrivals and dismissals to avoid a logjam of kids entering the building, and grab-and-go in the cafeteria with kids eating in classrooms, which are large enough to accommodate them. The school also had an altered schedule with Wednesdays dedicated to virtual learning and cleaning. This gave teachers time to prepare lessons since they were teaching on two different platforms. “It helped tremendously,” Jenkins says. “It gave teachers time to plan accordingly, and it kept things moving because they only saw students half the time.” </p>
<p>Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf issued a mask mandate for the state’s school districts right before school started this year, but “We were wearing masks before the mask mandate came into play,” Jenkins says. “That was helpful for us [because] according to the new COVID guidelines, if someone is wearing a mask, you don’t have to contact trace if someone gets sick.” BCTC works with 16 sending schools that all had different policies in place before the mask mandate, resulting in quarantine situations. “We were a little ahead of the curve here, so that helped us start the school year off right,” Jenkins says. </p>
<h2>Communicating with parents and students</h2>
<p>Administrators are doing their best to keep parents and students informed about new or revised policies in various ways. Fairwold Academy hosts monthly parent meetings, while Big Foot High School has a reopening plan that’s on the school board agenda every month, with the board meeting streaming on Facebook Live. They also have email blasts, a COVID-19 resource page, and an open-door policy for parent questions. At BCTC, a copy of the school’s full 60-page health and safety plan is available on their website. Districts have protocols in place that include contact tracing and quarantine requirements should a student test positive for COVID-19. Students’ adherence to mask policies also factors into next steps. At Shenendehowa High School, “The process is a little more seamless this year,” Agostinoni says. “The quarantine number is reduced a bit—it seems to be working so far.”</p>
<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/counselors-and-parents/college-counselors/articles/articles-college-counselors/pandemic-problems-resources-share-students/">Pandemic Problems: Resources to Share With Students</a><strong> </strong></p>
<p>At many schools, it’s a team effort to develop and implement an effective health and safety plan. Agostinoni credits his district’s leadership and faculty for working together. “The superintendent set the vision and the building principals carried it out. It’s been a good process,” he says. “I have to give credit to the leadership we have. It definitely shows the importance of contingency plans.” Though the pandemic has made seasoned educators feel like brand-new teachers at times, schools around the country have strengthened as teams and are working hard to ensure their students are receiving the best education in the safest way possible as the pandemic continues. </p>
<p><strong>Stay up-to-date on the pandemic and how it affects your education with our <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/student-life/articles/college-health-safety/resources-students-need-during-covid-19-pandemic/">COVID-19 student resources page</a>.</strong></p>http://www.CollegeXpress.com/interests/education/blog/timeline-important-events-black-history/Timeline of Important Events in Black History2024-03-29T08:55:26.848167-04:00CollegeXpress<p>February is Black History Month, a time to honor the achievements and anguish Black people in America have experienced in the past as well as the present. Did you know February was chosen to celebrate because it’s the month Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass were born? There’s an endless amount to learn and reflect on, with more history in the making every day. Read on to explore some of the most significant moments in Black history over the past 200 years, including historical milestones in the field of education—though this list of events is just a drop in the bucket.</p>
<h2>1830</h2>
<p>The Abolitionist Movement is organized in an effort to end slavery in the US, causing great friction between slave-owning states in the South and anti-slavery states in the North. Among many achievements is the Underground Railroad, a secret network of safe houses that was established to help enslaved people escape to free states. </p>
<h2>April 12, 1861</h2>
<p>The American Civil War begins at Fort Sumter in South Carolina, starting the Union’s years-long fight against the Confederacy to abolish slavery.</p>
<h2>January 1, 1863</h2>
<p>The Emancipation Proclamation is issued by President Abraham Lincoln during the third year of the Civil War, stating that people enslaved in Confederate states “shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free."</p>
<h2>April 9, 1865</h2>
<p>Robert E. Lee surrenders the last major Confederate army to Ulysses S. Grant, effectively ending the Civil War.</p>
<h2>June 19, 1865</h2>
<p>Union soldiers arrive in Galveston, Texas, to let residents know slavery has been abolished. This day of celebration is also known as Juneteenth, Emancipation Day, and Black Independence Day, among other names.</p>
<h2>December 6, 1865</h2>
<p>The 13<sup>th</sup> Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified, officially ending the institution of slavery.</p>
<h2>July 9, 1868</h2>
<p>The 14<sup>th</sup> Amendment to the Constitution gives Blacks equal protection under the law.</p>
<h2>February 3, 1870</h2>
<p>The 15<sup>th</sup> Amendment gives Black men in America the right to vote. </p>
<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/multicultural/blog/impactful-ways-celebrate-black-history-month/">Impactful Ways to Celebrate Black History Month</a> </p>
<h2>1877</h2>
<p>The Supreme Court rules that states cannot prohibit racial segregation on public modes of transportation such as trains, streetcars, and boats. This begins an era of Jim Crow laws that were used to maintain segregation through the 1960s. </p>
<h2>1896</h2>
<p>The US Supreme Court endorses the doctrine of “separate but equal” in <em>Plessy v Ferguson.</em> </p>
<h2>February 12, 1909</h2>
<p>The National Association for the Advancement for Colored People (NAACP) is established in New York in an effort to abolish all segregation and enforce the 14<sup>th</sup> and 15<sup>th</sup> Amendments, among other goals.</p>
<h2>1920</h2>
<p>The Harlem Renaissance starts a revival of music, art, dance, literature, theater, and other Black and African American culture in New York City through the mid-1930s.</p>
<h2>June 18, 1940</h2>
<p>A federal court rules Black and White teachers must be paid equal salaries in <em>Alston v School Board of City of Norfolk</em>. </p>
<h2>May 17, 1954</h2>
<p>The Supreme Court overturns <em>Plessy v Ferguson</em>, ruling it as inherently unequal, in <em>Brown v Board of Education</em>. </p>
<h2>December 1, 1955</h2>
<p>Rosa Parks is arrested after refusing to give up her seat at the front of a bus in Montgomery, Alabama, defying segregation laws that state Black passengers must sit in the back. </p>
<h2>November 14, 1956</h2>
<p>The Supreme Court rules that segregated seating is unconstitutional.</p>
<h2>September 4, 1957</h2>
<p>Nine Black students integrate an all-White high school in Little Rock, Arkansas, and are barred from school on the first day by Governor Orval Faubus. Later that month, the Little Rock Nine would be escorted to school by federal troops at the request of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, drawing more attention to the Civil Rights Movement. </p>
<h2>September 9, 1957</h2>
<p>President Eisenhower signs the Civil Rights Act of 1957 into law, allowing anyone who tries to prevent someone from voting to be federally prosecuted. </p>
<h2>February 1, 1960</h2>
<p>Four Black students at <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/college/north-carolina-agricultural-technical-state-university/2400200/details/">North Carolina Agricultural & Technical College</a> in Greensboro refuse to leave the lunch counter at Woolworth’s after being denied service, starting a sit-in movement throughout college towns in the South and forcing the general store and other businesses to change their policies. </p>
<h2>November 14, 1960</h2>
<p>At only six years old, Ruby Bridges becomes the first Black student to integrate into a White elementary school in the South. </p>
<h2>1962</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/college/university-of-mississippi/2400216/details/">The University of Mississippi</a> (Ole Miss) admits Black student James Meredith after he wins a lawsuit stating he was discriminated against based on race, causing a mob scene during his first day on campus in which two people were killed and 200 more were wounded. <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/college/the-university-of-alabama/2400006/details/">The University of Alabama</a> also desegregates after Governor George Wallace literally blocks a Black student from the admission office with state troopers. Wallace is later forced to integrate the University after President John F. Kennedy deploys National Guard troops to campus; two Black students enroll the next day.</p>
<h2>August 28, 1963</h2>
<p>The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom is held with approximately 250,000 activists gathering at the Lincoln Memorial in protest of unequal rights, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who gives his famous “I Have a Dream” speech to close out the event.</p>
<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/student-life/blog/5-great-recommendations-books-black-authors/">5 Great Recommendations for Books by Black Authors</a> </p>
<h2>July 2, 1964</h2>
<p>President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act of 1964, guaranteeing equal employment, ensuring public spaces are integrated, addressing the desegregation of schools, outlawing discrimination in federally funded programs, and prohibiting general discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or nation of origin.</p>
<h2>1965</h2>
<p>The Elementary and Secondary Education Act is created to offer federal aid toward equal opportunity efforts. Congress also passes the Voting Rights Act of 1965, further protecting Black voter rights by banning literacy tests and other discriminatory practices at state and local levels.</p>
<h2>April 4, 1968</h2>
<p>At 39 years old, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is assassinated on his hotel balcony in Memphis, Tennessee, inciting riots across the country.</p>
<h2>June 28, 1969</h2>
<p>The Stonewall Uprising began when New York City police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay club in Greenwich Village. The raid sparked a riot in the streets and served as a catalyst for the gay rights movement, a series of protests led by a Black transgender woman named Marsha P. Johnson and bolstered by many other Black and Brown activists of the time. </p>
<h2>February 1976</h2>
<p>President Gerald Ford officially recognizes the first Black History Month, which originated from “Negro History Week” created by civil rights leader Carter G. Woodson.</p>
<h2>June 28, 1978</h2>
<p>The Supreme Court rules that racial quotas in higher education are unconstitutional but maintains a college’s right to factor race into admission decisions in <em>Regents of the University of California v Bakke</em>.</p>
<h2>November 1983</h2>
<p>President Ronald Reagan signs a bill declaring Martin Luther King Jr. Day a national holiday, though it isn’t celebrated as a federal holiday until 1986 or officially adopted by all 50 states until the year 2000.</p>
<h2>March 18, 1996</h2>
<p>Affirmative action is ceased at public universities in Texas when the appeals court rules that the use of race in higher education admission decisions is prohibited in <em>Hopwood v Texas</em>, the first successful legal challenge to a university’s affirmative action policies. </p>
<h2>2003</h2>
<p>In <em>Grutter v Bollinger</em>, the Supreme Court declares that while race can still play a factor in admission decisions at the <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/college/university-of-michigan-ann-arbor/2100285/details/">University of Michigan</a> to promote diversity, point systems for minority applicants are deemed unconstitutional. In the same year, <a href="about:blank">Harvard University</a> conducts a Civil Rights project that finds schools were more segregated in 2000 than in 1970 when legitimate desegregation efforts began.</p>
<h2>November 4, 2008</h2>
<p>Barack Obama is elected as the 44<sup>th</sup> president of the United States, becoming the first Black man to hold the office. </p>
<h2>2012</h2>
<p>#BlackLivesMatter is first used on social media after George Zimmerman is acquitted of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin’s murder. The movement grows across the country and around the world after 18-year-old Michael Brown is shot six times by a White police officer in 2014.</p>
<h2>2016</h2>
<p>The Supreme Court upholds affirmative action at the <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/college/the-university-of-texas-at-austin/1100517/details/">University of Texas at Austin</a> in<em> Fisher v UT Austin</em>.</p>
<h2>May 25, 2020</h2>
<p>Following other high-profile cases—such as the March 13 murder of Breonna Taylor in her own home—the Black Lives Matter Movement explodes again when 46-year-old George Floyd dies after being pinned to the ground by policeman Derek Chauvin. </p>
<h2>November 3, 2020</h2>
<p>Kamala Harris becomes the first woman—and first woman of color—to serve as Vice President when Joe Biden is elected President. </p>
<h2>June 17, 2021</h2>
<p>President Biden signs a bill declaring Juneteenth as a federal holiday.</p>
<h2>2022</h2>
<p>The Supreme Court plans to revisit affirmative action in higher education and race-conscious admission practices in a pair of cases involving Harvard University and the <a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/college/university-of-north-carolina-at-chapel-hill/2600068/details/">University of North Carolina</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/admission/articles/find-college/school-spotlight-7-non-hbcus-support-black-students/">School Spotlight: 7 Non–HBCUs That Support Black Students</a></p>
<p>We hope you enjoyed reading about some of the most significant milestones in Black history. There is so much more to learn that we couldn’t cover here, and we hope you’ll continue to do so this month and beyond. Remember, the most important source for learning is from Black voices, stories, and causes—and a great place to start is <em><a href="https://blackhistorymonth.gov/">blackhistorymonth.gov</a></em>. Help uplift the Black community in any way you can to work toward a more just and equitable future. Happy Black History Month! </p>
<p><strong>Interested in learning about important people in the history of Black culture more in-depth? Check out our Heroes of History articles on </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/multicultural/blog/heroes-history-5-unsung-black-figures/"><strong>5 Unsung Black Male Figures</strong></a><strong> and </strong><a href="https://www.collegexpress.com/interests/multicultural/blog/heroes-history-5-inspiring-black-female-figures/"><strong>5 Inspiring Black Female Figures</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p>