November 2006 Table of Contents

Culturally Responsive Teaching
Talk About It
Race and poverty can be powerful reference points to reach students from all backgrounds, but educators must first reach beyond their comfort zones. To learn how, we visit a school in Seattle that’s embraced culturally responsive teaching in a big way.

Biligual Education
Something to Talk About
As more states adopt English-only education laws, the ways in which teachers connect with English-language learners is often getting lost in translation.

Professional Pay
Why Money Matters
Despite sacrifices and second jobs, it’s still tough to make ends meet. Meet six hard-working educators who deserve professional pay.

Student Gardens
Taking Root
Do your students cheer for broccoli? One California district  uses gardening to help cultivate green thumbs and healthy habits.

Where We Teach
Pioneer Spirit
A two-room school has been at the heart of rural Baldwin, North Dakota, for nearly 100 years.
If the school is forced to close, will the town survive?

ESP
Closing the Pension Gap
Once unaware of the importance of pensions, a Vermont ESP leads the fight for equity in retirement plans.

People
Going to the Dogs
A retired Montana teacher’s dog sled team took her back to the classroom. Also, teachers’ passions for quilting, carving, and preserving Black dance memorabilia.

Last Bell
Don’t Scold, Organize!
When students take action on issues important to them, it makes them more engaged learners.

Editor’s Note
Money Matters
Why we must fight for professional pay.

President’s Viewpoint
Sounding the Alarm
The school dropout crisis has devastating effects on young people. NEA plans to face it head-on.

UpFront
Wyoming’s education boom, plus gifts teachers really want.

Leading the Way
On the Same Page
A year after Hurricane Katrina washed through public schools on the Gulf Coast, the NEA Foundation returns to restock library shelves.

State Report
The 3-Minute Enrollment, Powerful Silence, Quality Control, The High Cost of Health, and Just Compensation.

Spotlight
Plugging In
A digital literacy initiative in Indianapolis provided more than technology training. It created a community of learning for the district’s teachers.

Resources
Grants & Awards; National Inclusive Schools Week; Yellowstone for Christmas; primer on Pilgrims that educates and entertains; and American Indian Heritage Month, and a recipe for corn pudding.

That's Funny!