A Pennsylvania school has implemented an advisory program called Bridges that groups students in grades 3 to 6 into cohorts of 40 to 60, led by three to four educators and staff members, to foster connections and improve mental health throughout the students' time at the school. The program has been successful in creating meaningful relationships, with activities like Bridge Day promoting kindness and empathy.

Wildfires in and around Los Angeles have destroyed schools as well as outdoor educational areas, including the Odyssey Charter School and Eaton Canyon Nature Area. Irina Contreras, a program manager for Los Angeles County's Department of Arts and Culture, expressed hope for the return of outdoor education programs in these natural areas, which have served as learning spaces for students and families through schools, summer camps, homeschool groups and other organizations.

A growing body of research suggests that climate change may be causing anxiety among adolescents and young adults, with many feeling helpless about their future. Survey data show that climate-related stress is a major concern for youth, intersecting with broader mental health issues. Experts suggest incorporating climate discussions into mental health screenings.

Students at Lombardi Middle School in Green Bay, Wis., learned about the history of the Green Bay Packers football team from Brent Hensel, curator of the Packers Hall of Fame. Hensel shared artifacts, including jerseys and footballs, and discussed the team's historical uniforms and the role of community leadership in the team's survival.

Only 20% of schools offer Algebra 1 to all middle-school students, yet early exposure to algebra sets the foundation for advanced math courses, which are considered essential for college readiness and success in STEM fields. Wealthier schools are more likely to provide this opportunity than poorer ones, an inequity that can limit college and career opportunities for many students.

A recent Education Week survey found that 70% of teachers check work email on snow days, highlighting the heavy workload educators face. Teachers report working an average of 52 hours per week, far exceeding the 38.5 hours in their contracts and the 32.75 hours worked by employees in other industries.

A report from the National Council on Teacher Quality shows that teacher diversity is increasing more slowly than the diversity of college-educated adults, with the percentage of teachers from historically disadvantaged racial backgrounds rising from 18.3% in 2014 to 21.1% in 2022. The report highlights the need for alternative strategies to boost teacher diversity, noting that teachers of color have a significant positive impact on all students.

Several new studies highlight factors that influence teacher retention and recruitment, emphasizing the importance of starting salaries, working conditions and flexible job arrangements. A study by Quentin Brummet of NORC at the University of Chicago found that starting salaries have long-term effects, with teachers in the lowest pay quartile earning significantly less over time, while another study by Sofia Baker of the University of Missouri shows that working conditions for teachers have worsened since the pandemic.

If you know your "why" as a teacher, you can parlay that knowledge into a set of directions that motivate your daily work. Kelly Owens shares how career vision boards can play a significant role in that process. Included: Ideas to help students create their own vision boards. Read more.

Guiding students to master SEL skills like self-control, empathy, collaboration, and problem solving can be harder than teaching content. The key to infusing social-emotional learning is teacher intentionality, says Anne Jolly, and STEM class offers a perfect SEL framework. Read on.