I understand the challenge of trying to squeeze one more thing—like essential health education—into an already packed ELA block. If you’re a 5th-grade teacher, I suspect you’re nodding your head right now. In my work with schools, I hear this…
In my 35+ years working with school districts on curriculum implementation, I’ve noticed a recurring pattern. The success of a new curriculum often has less to do with the quality of the materials and more to do with the quality…
From my experience working with countless teachers, I know that feeling of being pulled in a million directions is real. If every minute of your instructional day feels like a battle between competing priorities, you’re not alone. The pressure to…
In my work with districts rolling out a new curriculum, I’ve seen a familiar pattern. Dedicated leaders spend months on the plan. They buy the materials. Then, implementation hits a wall that feels a lot like teacher resistance. Here’s what…
Getting new teacher onboarding right is one of the most persistent challenges schools face. So often, the focus lands on welcome kits and HR paperwork. While important, that’s not what truly makes a difference. The real goal is to prevent…
In my work with school districts, I often hear a common concern from curriculum directors: puberty education feels inconsistent and, all too often, it’s taught too late. It makes sense that this is a challenge. By the time many schools…
It’s understandable why a finance department might see ‘free’ curriculum as a budget win. On the surface, it seems like a fiscally responsible choice. But that free puberty curriculum you found online isn’t a savings. It comes with significant hidden…
Last week, our team had a conversation with a curriculum director who felt caught between a rock and a hard place. On one hand, she was responsible for ensuring the district’s new, evidence-based curriculum was being taught consistently. On the…
Last week, a 5th-grade teacher told me, “I’m more nervous about the parent emails I might get than I am about teaching the actual puberty lessons.” It’s a feeling I hear all the time from dedicated teachers who are worried…
Why some questions make a teacher’s heart stop In my 35+ years of working with schools, I’ve learned that teachers answer hundreds of questions a day. But there are a few that can make even the most experienced educator’s heart…
Teaching puberty to 5th graders can feel like one of the most stressful parts of the school year. I’ve spoken with so many dedicated teachers who worry about saying the wrong thing, getting a question that completely stumps them, or…
In my work with districts across the country, I keep hearing a common theme: trying to keep up with evolving state health mandates feels like trying to hit a moving target. Just last year, Oregon adopted entirely new K-12 standards…