scott.sterling

Scott Sterling

Scott Sterling is a former English teacher who worked in Title I middle and high schools in St. Petersburg, Florida who is now a freelance writer who focuses on education. He is also a stay-at-home dad to his 4-year-old daughter Lily, who will soon be starting her own educational journey.

All Posts by Scott Sterling

Five Best Practices to Help Students Analyze Their Own Data

Involve your students in analysis of their own data to help them track their own progress and develop an increased sense of ownership over their education.

How Teachers Can Help Students Understand Source Credibility

Because of the constant inundation of content we’re all faced with today, it’s more important than ever to teach young students about the importance of and the correct way to go about assessing the credibility of source materials, especially online.

Tips for Adjusting to a Block Schedule

Block scheduling, to me, is the original disruptive educational strategy. Long before flipped learning and other non-traditional ways to organize classroom pursuits, schools and districts were trying to figure out ways to squeeze the most learning into blocks of time that, either by law or by human stamina, could simply not grow.

4 Great Get-to-Know-You Activities for the First Week of School

For many teachers, the first week of school is for housekeeping tasks and icebreakers. The objective with the latter is to foster a feeling of community in the classroom.

Classroom Funding: 4 Tips to Take the Stress Out of Grant Applications

Grants can be a great option to fill budget gaps, and turn some of your classroom dreams into instructional realities. But, with lesson planning, grading, test prep, and the never-ending admin work already on teachers’ plates, tackling grant applications can feel like a daunting task.

10 Tips for the First Day of School

With some planning, common sense, and communication, you can make the first day of school the best it can be—a springboard to a successful and rewarding school year. Here’s how to make that happen.

[Professional Development] Evaluating Your Own Performance as an Educator

The best teachers know that refining their practice is an ongoing process. Here are six of our favorite best-practice tips for effective self-reflection.

5 Ideas for Keeping Top Teachers

Although more money and better working conditions may help, many teachers who are considering leaving the profession are more interested in growing as professionals, collaborating, and making a broader effect on their schools and districts. Here are five ideas on how to bring those changes about in your own school.