Dear reader,Â
On this Election Day, Iâm taking a pause from political arguments and advertising to focus on a topic that matters enormously to our now-fragile democracy: teaching. This week, The Hechinger Report has two important stories that show a different side of this oft-maligned profession, and both give me hope that we can change the conversation and focus on ways to make teaching better â and to make teachers feel more respected. Â
First, take a look at Mesa, Arizona, where an experiment with team teaching â in which teachers voluntarily dissolve the walls that separate their classes across physical or grade divides â is taking hold and being watched closely as a potential solution to teacher shortages. And from Indiana we hear from a middle school teacher who loves his job, and believes the way teachers talk about their work could go a long way toward attracting others to the profession. We also bring you a story about teaching in New Jersey, where new learning standards mean entire staffs are going all-in on teaching climate change. And we look at the latest research around tutoring, and, with our partners at APM Reports, drill down on the controversial ways children are taught to read. Â
Finally, we have some exciting news: A donor has pledged to match up to $50,000 in our year-end fundraising campaign. But we need your help to meet that goal. Become a member now, double your gift and spread the word!Â
Liz Willen, Editor
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