Curricular Initiatives Classical sparked an initiative to improve Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in our reading curriculum and the work we have done here is paying off. These changes launched back in 2020 and, since then, our curriculum team has been working to increase representation in the texts scholars read. The
Each February, we celebrate Black History Month at our schools by honoring important people and events in Black history. This is especially important given the demographics of our community in the South Bronx. We want our children to recognize and celebrate the vast contributions made by Black citizens in American
Making Culture a Priority If you truly want to be an effective teacher, shaping and maintaining a strong classroom culture must be a priority from the first day of school until the last. Often, we focus the first few weeks of the school year on establishing routines. Classical’s founding Dean,
Amid a busy week in structured learning time, our scholars look forward to a more relaxed forum for weekly group discussion. “Classical Conversations” was rolled out at Classical Charter Schools in recent years. It is an unscripted, unstructured time of day in which teachers, and sometimes scholars, select the topic
Cool Down In 2020, Classical Charter Schools modified its behavior management system to better serve its scholars. Formerly, our system relied primarily on the concept of reflection. Once scholars receive a certain number of verbal notices, they transition to a separate space in the classroom to reflect on their behavior
Before your employees are employees, they are people first. They, like you, have their unique struggles and circumstances. Supporting their work in creating their best possible life augments what they bring into their jobs. As leaders of teams, schools, or organizations, you want to give them all the tools they
There is something incredibly rewarding about teaching children to read and witnessing first-hand that “a-ha!” moment where a strategy you’ve been teaching finally clicks. Not only does the child get it, but they start to implement it independently instead of pausing to look toward you for the answer or support.
You may be in one of two places. Either, you’ve just survived the holidays with each and every family member asking the dreaded question, “What are you plans after graduation?” Or, you’ve spent the last few months (or years) thinking that you need a change; the job you thought would
One of the most difficult and important aspects of being an educator is learning how to motivate your students. Students who are not motivated will not learn effectively. They might go through the motions, but they won’t retain the information or participate and some may even display unwanted behaviors. The
After seven years in education, I have often thought about the impact of my work and how my daily tasks equate to student success. This is a question I’m sure many teachers find themselves pondering late at night or early in the morning after sacrificing sleep and sanity to grade
