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@drjentsminger
AI in Schools: Tools to Support, Not Substitute, Great Teaching
While scrolling insta the other night, I came across the story of Derek Li, a Chinese entrepreneur who removed his sons from traditional schools and is experimenting with AI-led education (says a lot about my social media algorithm). These kinds of posts and inquiries make me angry (and fearful of Skynet). I immediately started thinking, “Can algorithms truly replace the human teacher? Can…
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Kids Don’t Need Facts. They Can Google That Stuff Later…
 It was the year 2008. I got my first “smartphone” (a Samsung). I couldn’t believe I (and everyone else with a smartphone for that matter) had the internet (and social media) at my fingertips! What a momentous occasion! Around the same time, I also started substitute teaching. In 2007, I graduated from ISU with a degree in Communication. I didn’t like where I was working or what I was doing (a…
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Developmentally Appropriate: Is This Phrase Hurting American Education?
Have you ever heard the phrase “developmentally appropriate” or its inverse, “developmentally inappropriate?” In the world of education, there are lots of phrases and acronyms that non-educators don’t understand (even people within the field don’t understand them all). In my experience, “Developmentally Appropriate” and its inverse are most often used to rationalize NOT teaching or exposing a…
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The "Kennedy Korner!"
New blog post! It's been a long time! Like, comment, share!
It’s INSANE how much the world of education has changed since I last shared a blog post. I posted my last blog on November 23, 2019. That was more than two years ago (I’ve been busy…)! So much has happened since then! By “so much,” I MOSTLY mean that a global pandemic upended the way we operate. If you think about it, since March 13, 2020, the world of education hasn’t been and will never be…
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Tying Teacher Evaluation to Student Test Scores: The Ongoing Debate
Tying Teacher Evaluation to Student Test Scores: The Ongoing Debate
Interestingly, fewer states are including student test scores in their teacher evaluation calculations. As of October 2019, 34 states will use student test scores while calculating teacher effectiveness, compared to 43 states in 2015 (read more here).
In addition to reading the aforementioned article, I recently engaged in a conversation with an advocate of using student test scores to calculate…
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How Do You Refuel?
How Do You Refuel?
We’re in it, now… It’s “that time of year.” I like to call this time of year, particularly, the month of October, “Shocktober.” Shocktober is followed by “Blovember.” I’m sure you can figure out why that is.
At this point in the school year, we’re all coming to the realization that the school year has indeed started, and we’re working our way into the second quarter. For many, that…
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October House Day Success!
October House Day Success!
If you don’t know, we’re in the process of implementing a House System at my elementary school (read for more info). We plan to host a House Activity Day once a month. Last Wednesday, we hosted our October House Day.
During the time allotted for our House Activity Day, students and staff in each House created a banner that displayed their House animal and House color. Students and staff…
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The House System
So, last Friday, my school waded into new territory. We began the implementation of a House System. If you’ve ever seen/read Harry Potter, you may be familiar with this system. At Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, students are sorted into one of four houses: Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff. In these houses, students get together to participate in activities and compete…
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Restorative Practices for the Win!
Restorative Practices for the Win!
This year, I transitioned from a more traditional disciplinary approach to Restorative Practices. As a side note, when I first started this transition, I referred to the approach as Restorative Discipline/Restorative Justice. But, I recently attended a conference on Restorative Practices where the speaker explained that Restorative Practices focus more on relationships/relationship building, as…
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Empathy: We Need It Now More Than Ever
Empathy: We Need It Now More Than Ever
While listening to talk radio over the weekend, I heard an analyst posit that there has been an increase in violent shooter massacres across the world. As a rebuttal to the analyst’s statement, someone called in and asserted that there’s been no increase in these types of situations, just an increase in their media coverage, and that we’re more aware of these situations now because of social…
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STEM Challenges: The Importance of Prior Knowledge and Continued Learning
STEM Challenges: The Importance of Prior Knowledge and Continued Learning
Sorry for the delay in blog posts!  I’ve been pretty busy lately! Anyways…
If you search “STEM Challenges” on Twitter, Youtube, Teachers Pay Teachers, and Pinterest, you will see some of the most exciting and engaging looking activities.
I was presenting at a STEM conference three years ago (not sure why this hit me now. I should have blogged about it way sooner, LOL).  I was excited to attend…
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Feeling the Teacher Shortage
Feeling the Teacher Shortage
As we’re gearing up for another school year, I can’t help but notice the copious amount of open teaching positions. I’m currently trying to fill a special education position. I had 3 people apply for the position (only two actually held the required certification). I’ve recently spoken with other principal/superintendent friends of mine who serve economically disadvantaged areas. All I can say…
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When’s the Last Time You Experienced “Flow”?
When’s the Last Time You Experienced “Flow”?
I talk a lot about the importance of engaging in professional learning opportunities outside the classroom/workplace, such as reading a professional book, joining a Twitter chat regarding your profession, engaging in a book club/book study, writing about your learning (blogging, journaling, etc.), and attending conferences. For educators, summer is the perfect time to engage in these types of…
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This School Year, Prioritize Teacher Clarity to Maximize Student Learning
This School Year, Prioritize Teacher Clarity to Maximize Student Learning
I heard an awesome quote today… “Clarity is the antidote to anxiety.” I can truly attest to the accuracy of this quote. We all want clarity in our lives. Guess what? Students really want clarity as well, especially in school and in class.
In regards to John Hattie’s influences and effect sizes, you can’t focus on any other influences or effects without first addressing teacher clarity. You can’t…
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Detainment: Thinking About the Future of Our Young and Innocent
Detainment: Thinking About the Future of Our Young and Innocent
This school year, I learned about the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) study (Felitti et al., 1998), which examined survey data from a questionnaire and found that both positive and negative childhood experiences have an immense impact on lifelong health. The survey included questions such as: did a parent in the household swear at you, put you down, humiliate you, or act in a way that made…
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Celebrities And Their Social Media Blunders: What Are We Teaching Our Young Ones?
Celebrities And Their Social Media Blunders: What Are We Teaching Our Young Ones?
Roseanne Barr, Samantha Bee, Lena Dunham, Kathy Griffin, Azealia Banks, Josh Rivers (I’m sure there are more). All these people have one interesting thing in common: they’ve recently used a social media platform to discuss/gripe/complain/assert/share questionable (or flat out disparaging/racist/rude/sexist/etc.) information to copious amounts of people. Consequently, as a result of their online…
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The Culmination of Another School Year
The Culmination of Another School Year
Woah! My district has 7 official school days left. But, the end of the school year has been a whirlwind! There are so many events both inside of school and after school! I don’t know if I’m coming or going!
Though the end of the year breeds chaos (organized chaos, mostly!), I always wonder the following at this crazy time:
It’s essential that we as teachers and teacher leaders continue learning…
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