The outdoor education movement gets children outside to experience hands-on learning in nature. Some organizations are taking this approach to the next level. One innovative example is Tinkergarten, which offers outdoor classes and activities that incorporate play-based learning. Available to children and families in 47 states, Tinkergarten’s activities are designed to “help kids develop a host of important capabilities, including empathy,… Read More

In order for students to be successful in school, they first have to be in school. Seems logical, right? But for millions of students in the U.S., attendance is a barrier to success with lifelong consequences. Here’s a look at how chronic absenteeism impacts learning, and how schools can begin to turn the tide. Measuring… Read More

It’s easy to see the potential in young learners, but recognizing what they can already contribute and encouraging their growth requires a dedicated advocate with passion and expertise. Meet Tina Lageson, EdD, a kindergarten teacher at Glencoe Elementary School in Portland, Oregon. She’s a three-peat alum of Concordia University-Portland, having earned her BS in Early Childhood… Read More

The American Dream depends upon the belief that, regardless of your background, if you work hard enough you can achieve your goals. But extensive research has shown that income does impact student success. As educators, what can we do about this national issue? Read on to find out how one Portland school addressed the challenge. Research on… Read More

The No Child Left Behind movement seemed to discount the importance of play-based learning in favor of more explicit instruction and testing in the lower grades. But researchers and educators agree that play is a critical part of childhood learning that should not be sidelined. Here’s a look at the latest research on the importance… Read More

When financial struggles and grief overwhelm us, it is easy to give up on educational pursuits. There are definitely times when it’s important to pause and focus on self-care, but to then continue working toward a master’s degree and later a doctorate, takes a highly motivated, resilient individual. Meet Cindi Y. Quarles, a Tennessee-based educator… Read More

If you’re passionate about child development and enjoy working with our youngest students, you might be curious about Concordia’s MEd in Curriculum & Instruction: Early Childhood Education. To give you a better sense of what this specific program entails, we thought it would be helpful to examine one of the courses from it. So we… Read More

Hand a toddler an iPhone, and chances are that child knows precisely what to do with it. Increasing screen time, over-testing in schools, and a national rise in students medicated for attention issues have contributed to the outdoor education movement. This movement gets students out of their seats and into nature. The call for an… Read More

Teaching kids about empathy, kindness, and compassion is a must for schools. More than one out of every five students report being bullied. Of those students: 13% were made fun of, called names, or insulted 12% were the subject of rumors 5% were pushed, shoved, tripped, or spit on 5% were excluded from activities on… Read More

We live in a stressful world, and our nation’s children and young adults are coping with new and prevalent emotional realities we can’t ignore. Research indicates that when educators work to teach learners how to alleviate and manage stress, students become more likely to learn deeply, avoid negative behaviors and achieve successful outcomes with long-term… Read More

Editor’s note: This article was originally published on Concordia University-Portland’s main website. Expectations were high as the eagerly awaited 3toPhD® facility opened its doors this past August. After years of planning, the innovative new educational model had the eyes – and hopes – of a whole community resting on it. So, how is it going? Who… Read More

When your purpose becomes your passion, you’re able to accomplish immeasurable goals and enjoy the work you do every single day. Our latest Featured Cavalier Kayvonna Stigall exemplifies this through and through. Find out more about this Michigan-based Autism Behavioral Technician in our Q&A below. What inspired you to become an educator? I have had… Read More

Many teachers share their classrooms with other educators, and you might be one of them. Sometimes one educator is teaching the whole class while the other is working with English learners, students with special needs, and/or those with learning differences.  Here are five ways to help make the transition from flying solo to working in… Read More

How do you get a classroom full of energetic little kids to practice stillness? Believe it or not, it’s possible. Mindfulness isn’t new, but it’s undoubtedly become a popular classroom movement in recent years. What is it? According to Psychology Today, “mindfulness is a state of active, open attention on the present.” This can happen… Read More