Teaching

Learn More at an Upcoming PEBC Math Institute Advance your math instruction by attending a PEBC institute where you can build on your knowledge and learn new strategies to impact student learning. Find upcoming institutes here »    Wendy Ward Hoffer Every now and then, I think back to my […]

Do you remember watching a small child acquire language skills? First, they listen; then, they speak; soon, they write, and next they read, spiraling their growth in these language skills over time, ongoinging. Learners at all levels need a balance between experiences with receptive language (listening and reading) and expressive […]

Confession: I’ve never been much of a fan of the term self-care. It’s always felt a bit self-indulgent and brings up visions of the old Calgon bubble bath commercials. However, over the past few years, and particularly during the past several months of social distancing, I’ve started to see that […]

In the wake of calls for social justice during the Summer of 2020, 73 is a number that I’ve been thinking a lot about.  That’s because, in 73% of Colorado’s school districts, there is not one Black educator.  That’s right, I said districts.  As Director of Recruitment and Alumni Engagement […]

In what ways might we best support learners during this unique school year? One way is to learn about and understand triggers – in ourselves and in our students – so that we can remain calm resources in their lives as they transition towards another year of learning. TriggersThe teacher […]

As I watched the debate, I heard both candidates call each other names and question the patriotism and intelligence of their opponent. I saw cherry picking of statistics and heard outrageous exaggerations of “facts.” It reminded me of what my mom used to say way too often, “The world is […]

“In today’s educational climate, English Learners are expected to develop deep content knowledge, engage with complex texts, and interact with peers in sophisticated ways, all while developing proficiency in English.” –Fenner & Snyder, Unlocking English Learners’ Potential Doing school online is challenging for all of us, teachers and learners alike. And […]

Trust, shared purpose, interdependence, mutual support, and safety in taking risks are some of the features of an effective community. Your own community might be your neighborhood, your faith group, your colleagues, your extended family. For students, their learning community, the online or brick-and-mortar space in which and the people […]

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, more than two-thirds of children will experience at least one traumatic event before the age 16. This statistic is startling. As educators, we need to be aware of the effects of trauma on the students who enter our schools. I […]

Now is a time when I’m grateful I’ve talked to my kids about mixed feelings. They like being home with me, but miss their friends. They are relishing our nature walks, but missing swimming. You’re probably experiencing similar complexities. We’re all navigating an extraordinary range of emotions, often several at […]

We miss you and our work in schools and hope everyone is keeping safe and taking good care. This blog entry is excerpted from Wendy Ward Hoffer’s newest book, Phenomenal Teaching, just out from Heinemann. It is essentially a professional development workshop in a book, which might be a fun […]