Katie Nelms’ Post

Thanks to Dr. Tim Powers of Pinkerton Academy for sharing how their school creates connection, even with 3000+ students. A few takeaways? 1. When making a change, include all voices. 2. You can have a big campus, but still help students feel belonging by creating daily scheduled time for small group connection, and extra help. 3. When adding a flex period - make it a part of the school day, not an option added to the beginning or end of the day. Providing access means it has to be a time when all students can actually access it. Link to the full episode in the comments! #K12 #studentcentered #reimaginetime

Teachers, “may the odds be ever in your favour!” Performative education is on the rise. At times, education today seems to be a scene from The Hunger Games, an arena where only the most performative survive. Whatever the challenge, question, or issue, the most dramatic and loud will be the winner. The current explicit teaching versus inquiry-based learning debate is case in point. I am flummoxed by those who view #goodteaching as a #dichotomy. This need for a #binary, this-or-that stance is inexplicable for those who are in the #classroom, day in & day out. Caring teachers make transitions from one #approach to the next, as the need arises, in a fluid, almost subconscious manner. It is almost an art form to the passionate & experienced educator. There is no other way to teach a room of 25+ different minds with their different ways of #thinking, #reflecting, #processing, & #understanding. Those in the actual business of teaching in the classroom have no problems understanding that all these #differentapproaches dovetail to form the perfect ecosystem, the well-designed terrarium, so to speak, for #optimallearning to take place. For those in the classroom, actively planning for and teaching 5 lessons a day, this is not a debate. The debate seems to be conducted by and with "guest performers" in the world of #education. And, as is often the case with "guest performers", their names are on neon-lit billboards, a showy display to announce to the world which performer is the highlight of the show. Education is now firmly established as a #business, a #lucrative #enterprise with #corporate undertones and slick #marketing to capture target audiences. This can have both pros and cons. However, to turn the business of education into show business is a colossal shame. When performative education takes center stage, a gaudy production by a cast & crew of entertainers, comedians and tricksters make a spectacle of their debates, their ideas, their visions, their strategies of what education should be. Through this spectacle, they polarise opinions simply to grab the most attention, all the while veiling what they are really out to grab - all that is profitable to them, even as they leave the system bankrupt - financially, morally, and ethically. And that would be quite the show. And quite the tragedy. Teachers, when you feel unsure & uncertain, cancel the noise. Cut out the chatter. Look at the young humans in front of you and recognise their need. Figure out how to address this need. Ask your experienced colleagues for ideas that work. Trial possible answers, make mistakes, learn from them. Create a perfect biome, a nurturing ecosystem, a bespoke terrarium for your students. Cancel the noise. Cut out the chatter. Say no to Performative Education. The odds will, then, be in your favour, always and ever! #explicitteaching #directinstruction #inquirybasedlearning Image source: https://kaizenaire.com

We did something fun in our latest "What I Want to Know" episode! After wrapping up our chat, K12 alumna Alexa Curtis stuck around to answer some questions about online education. Alexa, now a successful entrepreneur and former Disney host, started her journey as a 12-year-old fashion blogger while attending K12 online school. She answered the following questions: 1. How do virtual schools handle socialization? 2. Are online school teachers as qualified as traditional school teachers? 3. How flexible is virtual school for students with busy schedules? Check out the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/ePwewmSb What other questions about online schooling would you like answered from those who've been there? Drop your ideas below! #OnlineEducation #K12 #StudentSuccess #WIWTK

Absolutely! Schools can kill creativity, but it doesn’t have to be that way. As Sir Ken Robinson famously pointed out, our traditional education systems often prioritize standardization over imagination, focusing heavily on rote learning, exams, and conformity. This leaves little room for critical thinking, innovation, or creative exploration, which are the very skills needed in today's fast-evolving world. But here’s the good news: change is possible. By encouraging curiosity, promoting arts and creative subjects and fostering environments where kids can think outside the box, we can transform education. Programs like BuzzKidz Boland are already leading this shift, using drama, dance, and music to spark creativity in children from a young age. It’s time we empower the next generation to create the future, not just fit into it. #CreativityMatters #FutureOfEducation #Innovation #BuzzKidz

“Embracing the depth of offline conversations! 🌟 We understand, Reels give us just a sneak peek into our lives. But let’s take a moment to cherish those unscripted, unfiltered moments beyond the screens. Because true connections go beyond the limits of technology. If you’re curious about the full story, drop me a DM! Let’s dive into meaningful conversations together. 💬✨ . #OfflineConversations #BeyondTheReels #RealConnections #QualityTime #school #schooltime #business #college #univercity

💼🔍 Being a Resourcer: The "Love is Blind" Edition 💞📚 As a Resourcer in the education sector, my role might seem quite different from being a contestant on "Love is Blind," but there are some surprising parallels! Just like in the show, where participants find meaningful connections without seeing each other first, I work behind the scenes to connect passionate educators with the right teaching opportunities—often without having the full picture right away. 🔹 Building Connections: On the show, participants get to know each other through deep conversations. Similarly, I engage with teachers and educational institutions to understand their needs, ensuring that each placement is a perfect match. 🔹 Understanding Needs: Just as the contestants must truly understand their partner’s values and goals, I strive to grasp both educators' teaching philosophies and schools’ requirements to create successful matches. 🔹 Trust the Process: Much like the show’s journey, finding the right educational fit requires patience and trust. Every connection made is a step toward creating a supportive and thriving learning environment. So, whether it's matchmaking in the world of love or in the educational realm, the aim is the same: finding the ideal fit that helps both teachers and schools succeed and feel like they've found their perfect match! ❤️📖 #Education #Recruitment #TalentAcquisition #LoveIsBlind #TeachingConnections #ProfessionalMatchmaking

🤔🎨 Do you agree with Alex about the value of external creative practitioners in schools? Join the discussion in our latest episode of Cultivating the Conditions for Creativity and explore how these practitioners can enhance educational experiences. Watch the full episode on YouTube. https://lnkd.in/erCfzDAb #CreativePractitioners #SchoolCollaboration #EducationalEnhancement

Are you looking for some recommendations to make screen time educational for your tiny tots? Your search ends here! These are our top 5 picks: Patty Shukla and Miss Rachel, Postman Pat, Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, Bluey, and Dr. Binocs! We hope you and your little one enjoy them! #tvshow #educational #ticklerightmethod #ticklerighteducation #rightbraineducation #earlychildhoodeducation #toddleractivities #learningathome #learningwithfun #screentimealternatives #screentime #tinytots

When I facilitate in a school classroom I set the room up different. - I clear the desks out - I circle the chairs. - I play music - no smart board, no projection - I’m not into clapping back or fingers on lips or anything else. The reason I do this is that I firmly believe I am not a teacher in the space. In fact, as artist facilitators I believe we are reinventing the learning experience for children and young people. Shifting the way we learn and engage with the arts. This is for me, at the centre of the practice. I want to disrupt and with that disruption comes great learning I know this idea isn’t shared by all. What are people’s thoughts ? #facilitate #disruption #classroom #arts