A study by Matthew Kraft and Manuel Monti-Nussbaum highlights the effects of classroom interruptions on learning, finding that a typical classroom in Providence, R.I., experiences 15 interruptions daily, leading to a loss of 10 days of instructional time annually. The most common interruptions include tardy students, visiting staff and intercom announcements, with each disruption requiring additional time for students to refocus.

National Board Certified Teacher Rachel Scheer has developed DIY booklets to help elementary students with writing by compiling graphic organizers, drafting pages and editing checklists into a single resource, Scheer writes. The booklets can be customized to meet diverse learning needs and have been used successfully in a realistic fiction unit for first- and second-grade students.

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.

Chris Reul, a health and physical education teacher at Grass Lake High School in Michigan, has significantly impacted students by starting a powerlifting program that has grown from five to 125 participants since 2018. Reul, also an assistant varsity football coach, draws inspiration from his own high school experiences and aims to be a positive role model, emphasizing the importance of human interaction and personal connections in education.

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.

A federal judge has vacated the Biden administration's Title IX overhaul, prompting colleges to revert to 2020 regulations, which were criticized for narrowing sexual harassment definitions and requiring live hearings. The ruling, a major legal setback for Biden, has drawn praise from conservatives and criticism from LGBTQ+ advocates.

Retaining teachers is crucial for student success, says Jessica Kato, NBCT, who advocates for innovative career paths like hybrid teaching and master teacher roles. Read more of this blog post to learn how to champion our educators' growth and keep them thriving.

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