Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

National Runaway Safeline's tagline is "Keeping America's runaway, homeless, and at-risk youth safe and off the streets." Find important information for students, parents, counselors, and anyone else who works with young people who have run away (or might be thinking about doing so) and their families. In addition to location and confidential contact services, the site offers a wealth of resources for both families and young people. For teachers and counselors, there is an evidenced-based, interactive, 14-module curriculum "intended to educate young people about alternatives to running away as well as to build life skills... "Runaways are a quiet problem whose dimensions are far more significant than many realize. The site includes resources for homelessness, as well.

tag(s): behavior (45), character education (80), safety (68)

Administrators and those interested in training qualified teachers and deploying them where they're most needed will find this paper from Arizona State University intriguing. The authors advocate for a system similar to that which has been used to attract physicians and health care professionals to specific training programs and practice locations. Both the concept and the logic are interesting and well presented.

The federal Department of Education offers this site that lets users access a database of federal programs, grant opportunities, and services. Its utility for the average teacher is largely dependent on specific circumstances, but it does consolidate a great deal of information into a single resource. There is also a very complete listing of state resources, and these may be more directly useful.

tag(s): resources (83)

Based at the University of North Carolina, this center offers information, strategies, and tools for educators who must meet the needs of students who are homeless. While much of the content is geared to those who are specifically responsible for working with these populations, there is a good deal of content for teachers as well. It's hard to access, however. We found the "site index" link the most efficient way to navigate.

This report on the Children's Internet Privacy Act from the National Telecommunications Information Agency focuses on practical ideas that can have a meaningful impact in managing children's access to the web while avoiding unnecessary restrictions on others. School technology staffs will find its "lessons learned" and "best practices" sections particularly interesting. Text based info but current.

The recent rashes of e-mail borne viruses and worms make a visit to this Microsoft page almost a necessity. Surprisingly usable, the site offers tips, patches, and suggestions for maintaining computer security in home, office, and school environments. This is a useful resource whether you're already infected or simply want to avoid becoming infected.

tag(s): internet safety (114), Microsoft (80), worms (5)

Launched in Spring of 2003 by the Library of Congress, this site provides helpful resources for librarians interested in finding the best ways to utilize technology in their libraries. Committed to raising awareness of public access resources, this site has tips, tools, and practices for updating libraries in the information age. There are even online courses for those who want a full introduction to the range of possibilities the internet holds.

tag(s): resources (83)

This study has helpful information for educators and other professionals concerned with the quality of internet accessibility in out public schools. The study examines the educational and societal implications of placing internet filtering software on school computers. The study is specifically aimed at determining whether such software actually impedes the pursuit of curriculum goals by inappropriately blocking educational resources. The study's use of state mandated curriculum standards as a basis for internet searches places the study in a context that continues the current dialogue over the most effective way to filter internet use in schools.

The Rand Corporation recently released this report on school administrations. There is concern that schools and districts will be unable to attract and retain enough qualified school administrators. The authors analyze data on school administrators' careers and the factors influencing decisions to enter these careers. They find no national crisis but do find three primary areas of concern: state and local variation in financial rewards, barriers to entry into the field, and the number of administrators nearing retirement.

While intended primarily for higher education, this long article on academic freedom and social studies will resonate with secondary teachers who may be in a quandary over how to present controversial international events. This discussion at the national level may be useful in guiding controversies at the local level.

This long article offers background information and practical suggestions on ways to create school environments that let students care about and support one another. There's lots of emphasis on "whole school" attitudes and specific behaviors that can help staff and students respect one another and value each other

This one's just for fun, but it's an eloquent statement about the dangers of technology used inappropriately. Technology teachers and those who help teachers with technology will likely find this a great illustration for questions about when technology is appropriate.

tag(s): lincoln (66)

The Department of Homeland Security's web site on individual and family preparedness isn't strictly academic, but it offers information on emergency supplies and procedures that will be of interest to many families and schools. While no guide for these events can be foolproof, this information offers practical steps that don't require extensive preparation or expenditures.

tag(s): disasters (37), terrorism (41)

This page is part of NASP's disaster response section. While it was originally designed as a 9/11 resource, many of its elements could be useful in managing responses to other disaster situations. There are also links to related resources for teachers and professionals
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): disasters (37), terrorism (41)

This page and associated resources were developed to help families cope with disasters of various sorts. The content is deeper than many similar sites, and there is a significant collection of links to additional resources. Both parents and teachers should find this one helpful.

tag(s): disasters (37), terrorism (41)

While designed specifically for natural disasters, this multi-part resource for teachers should also be useful in managing responses to other disasters and events.
This site includes advertising.

tag(s): disasters (37), terrorism (41)

FEMA's guide to helping children after a disaster seems modelled largely on the American Red Cross content, and it concentrates on natural disasters. Most helpful is the information about children's reaction to disaster by age group. Depending on your local situation, the related links may also be useful.

tag(s): disasters (37), terrorism (41)

This information from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry offers brief guidelines about the reactions to disasters that are typical in children and young people, along with links to more detailed information. This page concentrates on offering meaningful responses to these children.

tag(s): disasters (37), terrorism (41)

This page offers a combination of resources for children, parents, and educators helping children cope with the direct or indirect results of natural or other disasters. While much of the focus is on natural disasters, the coping skills for children are applicable in a wide range of situations.

tag(s): disasters (37), terrorism (41)

This page from the National Institutes of Mental Health offers information for parents and professionals on helping children and adolescents cope with disasters, tragedies, and violence. There is information for young people directly affected by these events and also for those who are reacting to them from a greater distance. The page includes information on post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as further resources for victims directly affected.

tag(s): disasters (37), terrorism (41)