Currently, many states are adopting the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) or are revising their own state standards in ways that reflect the NGSS. For students and schools, the implementation of any science standards rests with teachers. For those teachers, an evolving understanding about how best to teach science represents a significant…

Conferences offer the chance to join forces with others in pursuit of a common goal. In most teachers' daily routines, this kind of collaboration is not a priority; in many cases, it is impossible. For this reason alone, the conference experience can be extremely beneficial--and that is before one takes into account the access to fresh research,…

The purpose of this article is to inform teachers about the dangers of misalignment between core (Tier 1) instruction and Tiers 2 and 3 supplementary instruction for struggling readers and students with learning disabilities. Misalignment between core and supplementary instruction is problematic for students at risk of academic failure because it…

Three mid-level mathematics teachers (grades 7 and 8) and a university mathematics educator formed a year-long professional learning community. The objective was to collectively look at how they were promoting the Standards for Mathematical Practice (SMP) (CCSSI 2010) in their classes. The monthly discussions followed an iterative cycle in which…

The Curriculum Topic Study (CTS) process, funded by the National Science Foundation, supports teachers in improving practice by connecting standards and research to curriculum, instruction, and assessment. Designed for facilitators, this guide provides a robust set of professional development tools, templates, and designs to strengthen mathematics…

The three generations--Baby Boomer (born between 1946 and 1965), Generation X (born between 1967 and 1975), and Generation Y (born between 1976 and 2000)--have different styles of communication, yet teachers of all ages still have to work together effectively. Teachers can improve their relationships with their colleagues if they understand more…

Recent research suggests that personal and institutional constraints often limit the degree to which professional development impacts teaching practice. Darling-Hammond suggests that one of those constraints is time in schools for collaborative planning. She cites high performing schools in Europe and Asia that have three to four times more…

Teachers can make better use of data when they work together than when they do it alone. Creating the conditions for such collaboration is a tall order. This article describes the idea behind the collaborative inquiry approach. It also mentions several studies that indicate its effectiveness. Tips on how collaborative inquiry can be implemented…

This article is a call for classroom teachers to become authors. The authors briefly describe a process that teachers can follow to write down their ideas, submit a paper for peer review, revise it, and celebrate its publication--whether as an article in "Social Studies and the Young Learner" ("SSYL") or as a handout to share with colleagues in…

Professional development for tertiary teachers in Pakistan is problematic. In most cases, it does not exist; and if it does, it is very brief, sporadic and traditional, and is conveyed off-site through top-down teacher training strategies. The Pakistani tertiary education sector is predominantly public in nature and consists of two main wings: the…

Coteaching might be described as educators bringing to the table what they do best. When these educators' skills and talents are interwoven, a unique design evolves that is most successful in supporting student learning outcomes. Dumbarton Elementary School (Henrico County, Virginia) is a Title 1 school with a very diverse student population.…

"Teachers Teaching Teachers" ("T3") focuses on coaches' roles in the professional development of teachers. Each issue also explores the challenges and rewards that teacher leaders encounter. This issue includes: (1) Collective Responsibility Makes All Teachers the Best (Stephanie Hirsh); (2) Tools: How Our School Measures up/Exploring Our…

Middle school mathematics teachers face unprecedented challenges. Foremost among those challenges is being able to systematically adapt instructional practices to advance student achievement relative to rigorous math standards. These challenges are not likely to be overcome by individual teachers. That said, it is widely argued that collaborative…

In this "Struggling Readers" department, the author describes a collaborative lesson--a professional development strategy adapted from Reading Recovery. Collaborative lessons involve a small group of educators who collaborate to help a student who is struggling with reading. While collaborative lessons were initially designed by Reading Recovery…

Planning is a central task of teaching and a central focus in learning to teach. But what does planning entail, and how is planning best learned? What challenges do experienced teachers serving as school-based teacher educators face in becoming teachers of planning? What role can university teacher educators play in helping mentor teachers learn…