Monthly Archives: March 2018

Five Challenges of an Urban School Principal

Five Challenges of an Urban School Principal

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It’s a Challenging Job

All principals have a difficult and challenging job. It is a 24-hour gig. You are always on the go both physically and emotionally. Please note that being a principal in a rural, suburban, or urban district is tough. However, working in an urban school district sometimes bring additional demands based on socio-economics, demographics, and more. Consequently, some are not prepared for the demands’ toll on a principals’ health and wellness. Here are five challenges of an urban school principal.

What is an Urban School?

What is an urban school? According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), urban schools classify as city schools. The urban schools are broken down into three categories based on the Census Bureau’s definition of a metropolitan city. Continue reading

The benefits of spring break

10 Benefits and Things to Do During Spring Break

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 It’s Spring Break!

Teachers, it is time for spring break! It’s a time of year to breathe, relax, and reflect. You have one week of many possibilities. You’re probably wondering what to do with yourself. You’ve already promised yourself to catch up on grading papers, completing reports or lesson planning.  Don’t do it! Instead, here are ten benefits and things to do during spring break.

Take A Nap

First, you can take a nap every day.  There’s nothing like an afternoon nap! Whether it is 20 minutes or an hour, you will love waking up refreshed. According to  American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society recommend that adults aged 18–60 years sleep at least 7 hours each night to promote optimal health and well-being. One in three adults doesn’t get enough sleep according to the Center for Disease Control. That’s one-third of the nation’s adults not getting a good night sleep. Therefore, take the time for a midday nap to replenish your energy. Continue reading

Becoming a trauma-informed school

A Journey to Calm: Becoming a Trauma-Informed School

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Trauma-Informed Statistics

Is your school trauma-informed? Do you know that more than 25% of American youth experience a severe traumatic event by their 16th birthday? According to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network of that 25% many experienced multiple and repeated traumas. As teachers and administrators, we need to be trained to identify students who are suffering. Becoming a trauma-informed school can support students and staff in the teaching and learning process.

Each day students enter our schools with troubling issues that keep them from their full learning potential. However, teachers and administrators don’t always know what children experience outside of the school day. According to the National Survey of Children’s Exposure to Violence, over 60% of children surveyed experienced some form of trauma, crime, or abuse in the prior year. Some suffered multiple trauma. Consequently, the effects of the trauma follow the children into their school day. Then the reaction to the trauma can be disruptive or explosive in the classroom. Continue reading