Inspiration & Ideas

We hope you'll be inspired by the articles archived here. They tell stories of exemplary educators who

• Respect their students and gain their respect
• Teach their students skills in working and playing with others
• Show by example how a person of character behaves
• Give their students opportunities for taking on responsibilities
• Help their students see the heroes around them - the men, women, and children who choose to do the right thing
  

What Can I Do (Short Stories)

She's not completing her work.

Ideas for a teacher whose stepson has Asperger's syndrome?

Help a first-year teacher do right by her middle school students.

Recent Content

Snooze or Lose - Sleep deprivation is harming kids' cognitive abilities. NY Media

Emotional Literacy  - The missing piece.Excerpts from Maurice Elias Interview

Aggression in a Child with Asperger's - How one parent deals with it.

Control Yourself - You'll do better in school.

Emotional Literacy: The Missing Piece - Excerpts from Maurice Elias interview.

Educate the Affective Part - Teach kids another way to be smart. Edutopia

What a Caring Teacher Can Do  - Teaching resilience. WebMD (2000)

CNN Young Wonder Hero - Teen invented a teaching tool for people with autism. Video.

Open-Ended Questions To Draw Out Students' Thoughts
Northeast Foundation for Children (2007)

Determine Classroom Procedures Before School Starts
Use this checklist to set your classroom climate. An ordered and orderly classroom means less stress for everyone.

Everyday Heroes In Action
Help students become heroes themselves.

Looking for Heroes 
Beyond the big & little screens.

Children with Emotional Problems
Helping them succeed.

Hate Hurts
By Nadine Simpson
Survivor speaks of hope & Holocausts today.

Maintaining a Safe Environment
By Peter Lorain
Keeping school free from threatening words & actions.

Kids Still Tired of Swearing
High school campaign grows.

Students Pledge Not to Swear
By Madonna Hanna
Teacher & students launch Dare Not To Swear.

Keeping the Anti-Swearing Campaign Alive
By Madonna Hanna
School activities keep students on track.

Anti-Swearing Campaign Takes Off
Interview: Megan Sanchez, Andrew Ramirez, & Krystal Morse
Students talk about swearing at school—before the campaign & now.

A Substitute Talks About Abusive Language
By Doug Provencio
K-12 substitute teacher shares insights & tools.

A Safe and Orderly Environment
Education World
Teacher doesn't allow students to beat each other up with fists or words.

Abusive Language: Is Anybody Listening?
Interview: Terrance Klazer
High school science teacher tells what he's hearing.

Custodian Sees More Polite Kids, Less Abusive Language
Interview: Dave Arnold
Community's outreach to youth changes their behavior.

Driver Doesn't Tolerate Abusive Language
Interview: Chuck Thompson
Says adults need to speak up when they hear it.

Roughly Speaking—Students and *$#&! Language
Is abusive language a factor in your day? Find out how four educators deal with rough language and how a teacher-student effort is curbing the cursing in their school.

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Respect

All Aboard! Strategies For Better Bus Behavior
By Lois Yukna. Her attitude sets the tone for students, from the moment she opens the school bus door.

Sugar and Spice? Girl Bullies
By Cindy Long. For girls, the worst bullies are often their best friends. Educators are trying to find the ingredients for a cure. (NEA Today. May 2006)

Bullying Is On the Rise
But Intervention Helps Potential Victims and Perpetrators. (NEA Today. February 2002)

Should Teachers Allow Students to Call Them by their First Names? 
(Debate. NEA Today. September 2004)      

Should Teachers Allow Students to Use Profanity in Their Writing? 
(Debate. NEA Today. November 2004)

Promote Equity and Unity
By Cynthia Moore
Spanish teacher uses hallway bulletin board to show her respect for every student.

Working and Playing with Others

Calm, Cool, & Consistent: Keeping Civility in The Classroom
By Laurie McLaughlin
She teaches the basic rules of behavior and when students have a problem, she expects them to work it out.

Social Skills Kids Need: Why We Must Teach Them
By Karen Zauber. Poor social skills can hold kids back—at school, with friends, and on the job. Educators can help.

Creating Community in Your Classroom
By Nichole Meade
Beginning teacher shares tips for connecting students.

From Sidewalk to Workplace: Appropriate Language
By Paul Hambleton. This high school English teacher has some hip (hop) ideas for teaching students what to say.

Conflict Resolution Programs: Enhance Learning
Excerpt. NEA Professional Library book. Educators and students benefit from training in conflict resolution.

Handling Disruptive Students
By Peter Lorain
Teachers must react quickly—and correctly.

Acting Out: One Virtue at a Time
By Rick Docksai. Educators in this elementary school get their points across, with a little song and dance.

Wanted! Polite, Caring Kids
Every generation bemoans the rude behavior of young people. What's an educator to do? (Why a "Do the Right Thing" Web area?)

How a Person of Character Behaves

Life Lessons Through Sports: Developing Confident, Independent Kids 
By Glenn Schmidt. Find out how this P.E. teacher stretches his students mentally as well as physically. 

Providing a Support Group
By Susan C. Adler
Teacher reaches out to her sixth grade students.

A Fine Hello and Hi Dee Ho
By Dave Arnold. Busy ESPs can still promote etiquette and model behavior. (NEA Today. August 2006)

Someone to Lean On
By Rachel Jupin. Violence in schools may be prevented if students know they have teachers they can turn to for comfort and advice. (NEA Today. April 2002)    

Manners Are Elementary
By Louis Lessor
Third grade teacher addresses his students with respect.

Taking On Responsibilities

Learning, In Deed: Students Change Their Community
By Cindy Long, NEA Today. A psychology teacher and her high school students work and learn in their community. 

Largest Donation Ever From High School Students Their money helped clear land mines in Africa. Learn more about teacher Christine Sundberg. Video: 1:37 min    56K | Broadband

Giving Back to the Community
By Rick Docksai
Field trips transformed both the students and the park. 

See the Heroes Around Them

Activism & Service Learning  - Teachers honor students.

Everyday Heroes In Action - We must tell their stories so that students will recognize what is a hero and who around them is a hero.

Looking for Heroes - Beyond the big & little screens are many heroes around us.