This article explains the “Rings of Culture” as an essential component of the culturally and linguistically responsive teaching concept and pedagogy from Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Teaching and Learning: Practices for Student Success, Second Edition. Learn why an understanding of the Rings of Culture is so important to culturally and linguistically responsive teaching and download a free graphic organizer to support responsive educators in considering the many cultures represented

Teachers, administrators, and support staff are most effective when they understand and develop their own personal social-emotional capacities before addressing those of their students. That’s why social-emotional learning starts with adults.

Today's teachers know that civic education has taken a backseat for decades due to the increasing demands on instructional time, which has had enormous consequences. How do teachers ensure students have access to quality civic education? Here are four practices for building civic engagement, found embedded within iCivics Readers, that you can use in your classroom right now.

When schools closed beginning in March 2020, most systems struggled to implement remote learning. Schools, educators, learners, and parents just weren't prepared for that. Which is why academic equity has become a focus of schools across the nation.

It seems the term Social Emotional Learning or SEL is everywhere these days. For many educators, this is met with a collective sigh of relief. At long last, we are talking about more than just academics and standardized testing when it comes to providing students with a quality education. To others, however, the buzz about SEL may be cause for concern. Is SEL merely a trend? Is it just the flavor of the month that will soon fade away only to be replaced by the next big idea in education?

There is a lot of research available about attributes that positively affect student achievement.  Most of the research is centered on educational practices and what works best with our students. But I dare say, students will thrive in an environment that’s positive and uplifting where they feel safe to take risks and voice their opinion.