Teresa Meredith: Arm teachers with resources, not guns
Guns in classrooms and in the hands of teachers is antithetical to establishing a teacher-student relationship built on trust and support.
Teresa Meredith / Special to IBJ
Articles
MEREDITH: State can’t afford two school systems
There is a continued push for national privatization of our kids’ education through voucher expansion, which takes away already scarce resources from neighborhood public schools.
MEREDITH: Bill would help kids experiencing trauma
Young children exposed to five or more significant adverse experiences—like physical abuse, crime, hunger and bullying—in the first three years of childhood face a 76 percent likelihood of having one or more delays in their language, emotional or brain development.
MEREDITH: Here are four ways to help teachers feel inspired again
Hoosiers know we need the best educators to ensure a vibrant economic climate for our state and to ensure our kids have a secure financial future. If we’re serious about every kid’s future, let’s get serious about doing what works.
MEREDITH: Holcomb should chart new education agenda
As Holcomb readies himself to serve as governor, I urge him to ditch the out-of-touch, failed education policies pushed by his predecessors Mike Pence and Mitch Daniels.
MEREDITH: Election has much at stake for public education
Our kids’ futures are at a crossroads in Indiana, and Hoosier voters have a choice this election season on which direction the state takes. It is now more important than ever to support candidates dedicated to advancing public education and the education profession. The state is facing a crisis: a shortage of qualified candidates for […]
MEREDITH: What makes public schools great?
The Every Student Succeeds Act enables states and school districts to tailor the federal law to meet the needs of their community, schools and kids.
MEREDITH: Public pensions aren’t for Pence (or anyone) to grab
Since when has it become OK for the retirement assets of Indiana’s public employees to be artificially manipulated to become risky seed money to benefit private companies?
MEREDITH: Rokita’s bill threatens school lunches
H.R. 5003 would significantly change how free and reduced lunches are delivered to students at schools across the country.
MEREDITH: ISTEP panel should keep focus on kids
Teachers are looking for real-time results that can influence their instruction to target student needs.
MEREDITH: Time is always right to show appreciation to educators
On average, teachers work more than 52 hours a week, which includes 30 hours on instruction and 22 hours on tasks like preparing lessons and grading papers.
MEREDITH: Keeping kids in class with alternatives to suspensions
Zero tolerance is necessary for violent and dangerous behavior, but sometimes suspensions are used for minor issues like breaking dress-code rules, marking on a desk, or running in the halls—all common problems teachers encounter each day.
MEREDITH: Lawmakers, educators should work together
Perhaps one of the greatest impacts the federal Every Student Succeeds Act could have on classrooms will be its respect of the professionals in our schools.
MEREDITH: Experienced teachers reduce costs to raise learning
Retaining veteran teachers maintains stability in the classroom, which leads to the creation of stable learning environments. By contrast, a University of Pennsylvania study found that Indiana spent $20 million to $40 million in 2008-2009 on teacher attrition and turnover costs.
MEREDITH: To address shortage, understand why teachers teach
Educators choose to stay in the classroom when their desire to make an impact on the next generation overcomes a desire for significant salary advancement, when collaboration is embedded in the culture of the profession, when support from administrators guides smart classroom decisions.
MEREDITH: Renewed respect for teachers tops this wish list
Dear Santa, all I want for Christmas is respect for all those who serve in Indiana’s public schools.
MEREDITH:Testing blizzard makes teachers, students feel weary
Testing has become a nightmare. We’re waiting again. Yes. Again.
MEREDITH: Hunger is hurting kids’ academic performance
One in five kids is food insecure. Food insecurity is the result of poverty. And impoverished kids struggle in school.
MEREDITH: Voters spoke clearly; now give democracy a chance
Despite being an underdog in her first run for public office, Glenda Ritz defeated incumbent Tony Bennett to become Indiana’s superintendent of public instruction in November.
MEREDITH: Involved parents can lend support to their schools
I do not think parents need a trigger law to allow them to do what they should be doing already by advocating for their children.