Distance Learning

We are living in remarkable times. In July of 2020, in the middle of the Covid pandemic, CASEL released what they called an SEL (Social Emotional Learning) roadmap for reopening schools. In collaboration with forty other organizations, CASEL addressed the challenges that schools were facing as they looked to reopen […]

One of the biggest challenges with remote teaching is our inability to walk around the classroom and hear student thinking!  Looking for those scrunched up faces when students are grappling with something challenging, seeing those smiles when students feel successful, noticing the choices students make regarding materials and processes, listening […]

Yes, things are different. Everything is harder, and there are more loops than ever to go through to do the simplest task. So, what’s not different? In all my conversations with teachers over the last four months I continue to hear the same  things: They want their students to feel […]

In an in-person classroom, teachers can walk around and take a look at student work, listen in to learners’ conversations, and quickly confer to clarify misconceptions. But in virtual classrooms, students sit behind cameras turned off, too shy sometimes to even type responses to their teachers, much less ask for […]

There they are – the boxes on the video-conference screen, empty but names or images uploaded. We are hearing from many teachers of learners’ reluctance to turn on their screens during online classes. Disheartening and exhausting to face those void boxes and teach your heart out every day, we know. […]

How can instructional coaches be of service during remote & hybrid learning? We all want to get better. The role of a Leadership or Instructional Coach is to provide job embedded professional development that mediates thinking and allows an individual to access internal resources, reflect on current actions or issues, […]

What a spring! We have worked alongside so many teachers responding and adjusting and revising our remote teaching in an effort to meet learners’ needs this spring. The first thing I want to say is, “Wow! You are amazing!” In these past few months, you showed the world that you […]

As the education community in Colorado has responded and adapted to the rapid changes necessitated by physical distancing in COVID-19 response, I went out looking for stories and examples of how our network of partner school districts are adapting to virtual learning, and how PEBC Residency participants have played a […]

“Hi Writers! I am so excited to get to write with you today. I wish I could see you in person, but I am so excited to get those words out of you.” So begins lab host (and staff developer), Kirsten Meyers Blake’s introduction to her fifth graders’ writer’s workshop […]

As the education community in Colorado has responded and adapted to the rapid changes necessitated by physical distancing in COVID-19 response, I went out looking for stories and examples of how our network of partner school districts are adapting to virtual learning, and how PEBC Residency participants have played a […]

Recently, we were asked “How do you know whether (or not) your students are understanding?” This was, of course, an accountability question. Fair enough. If my “end-of-unit test” shows that my students do not yet understand place value, I will know to re-teach the concept. There are many discrete skills […]

As a 5th grade STEM teacher, I am comfortable with technology. My students complete assignments in google classrooms and I have one created for each content area. I am familiar with G suite tools, and several online instructional tools. So I felt prepared when my school district transitioned to online […]

Susan Chapla wholeheartedly believes in kids, families, teachers, and schools with every fiber of her being.  She is also a straight shooter and as straightforward as anyone you will ever meet!  Susan is the principal of Van Arsdale Elementary in Jefferson County, Colorado. Van Arsdale is a PEBC project school […]

A typical day in the life of a teacher is carefully planned for, yet somewhat unpredictable. Each day there is wonder and anticipation… Wonder about each students’ agency and engagement? Wonder about how students will solve problems and take action? Wonder if students will be excited to learn? Today is […]