A lot of teacher-authors read both my Ask a Tech Teacher education blog and my writer’s blog, WordDreams. In this monthly column, I share a popular post from the past month: 

Casey, my beautiful, beloved Labrador is finally four, out of the Terrible Twos and the Threatening Threes. He’s our fourth lab, and by far our most problematic. Here’s what I mean:

At two, he was diagnosed with elbow dysplasia which is like hip dysplasia but in the arms. That requires ongoing treatment which should be mild until he’s older. Then, we’ll see.

At three, he developed broken ACLs in both legs. This required four surgeries, big metal plates in both legs, bone grafts in the left, a special diet, a panoply of medications (to treat that and related symptoms), and a whole lot of personalized help with every part of Casey’s day. (more…)

One lesson I’ve learned in my long teaching career is that students benefit when teachers and parents work together. They achieve more, get better grades, and experience greater success upon graduation. Not only that, their behavior overall is better, their attendance more reliable, their self-esteem higher, and their social skills soar.

That’s a lot to take in. The Ask a Tech Teacher team breaks this down into bite sized goals:

How Teachers and Parents Can Work Together to Support Student Well-Being

Student well-being is not shaped by one person alone. It grows through daily support, small conversations, and the feeling that the adults in a child’s life are paying attention. When teachers and parents work together, students are more likely to feel understood, supported, and safe. That matters not only for emotional health, but also for learning. The CDC notes that students who feel connected at school are less likely to face certain mental health risks, and that sense of connection can have lasting effects on health and well-being.

It helps to remember that student well-being is not just about preventing crises. It is also about helping children feel steady enough to learn, ask questions, recover from setbacks, and build confidence over time. Some students show stress openly. Others do not. A student may still be getting good grades and quietly feel overwhelmed. That is why strong communication between home and school matters so much. (more…)

Every month, subscribers to our newsletter get a free/discounted resource to help their tech teaching.

20% discount on school curricula

Code: KZJ8MBNV

4-22-26 through 4-27-26

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Ask a Tech Teacher discussed school counselors a few years ago–their importance in a student’s career-college choices, how the profession has changed over the years, and more. Their seminal place in the life of students preparing to leave school for their future is more important than ever.

Why School Counseling Is Essential in Modern Education Systems

Modern education systems face constant pressure to support academic success, emotional well-being, and social development at the same time. Students deal with stress, identity challenges, peer pressure, and digital distractions every day. Schools cannot rely only on teachers to handle these complex needs. School counseling fills that gap with structured guidance and personal support. Counselors help students build confidence, manage emotions, and make informed decisions about their future. Strong counseling programs improve school culture and student outcomes. A well-supported student performs better in class and handles challenges with resilience. That reality makes school counseling an essential part of modern education systems.

1. Addressing Emotional and Mental Health Needs

Students today experience rising levels of anxiety, stress, and emotional pressure. School counselors step in to provide direct support through conversations, coping strategies, and structured interventions. They help students understand emotions and respond in healthy ways. This support prevents small struggles from turning into serious issues. Counselors also create safe spaces where students feel heard and respected. When students trust someone in school, they open up more easily. That trust improves emotional stability and focus in class. Strong mental health support leads to better academic performance and fewer behavioral problems. Schools benefit when students feel balanced and supported. (more…)

Those interested in a life of Christian ministry must be prepared to:

• build a godly character
• serve faithfully
• be patient and accountable
• pursue training.

If this seems like the right path for your college-career goals, here are suggestions from the Ask a Tech Teacher team for what you can expect:

What to Expect When Studying for Christian Ministry

Studying for Christian ministry shapes both the mind and the heart. It calls for discipline, reflection, and a willingness to grow in faith while serving others. Many enter this path with passion, yet the journey demands more than enthusiasm. It requires steady commitment, intellectual curiosity, and emotional maturity. Coursework stretches thinking, while real-life ministry experiences challenge comfort zones. Growth happens through study, prayer, and community engagement. Expectations should remain realistic, since the process takes time and effort. A clear understanding of what lies ahead helps students stay grounded, focused, and ready to embrace both the challenges and the rewards of ministry training.

1. Academic Rigor and Theological Depth

Students often expect spiritual discussions, but the academic intensity surprises many. Courses require critical reading, structured writing, and deep analysis of biblical texts. Professors expect engagement with historical context, language nuances, and theological debates. Assignments push students to form well-supported arguments rather than simple reflections. Time management becomes essential, since reading loads grow quickly. Students must balance intellectual growth with spiritual insight. This combination creates a demanding yet rewarding environment. Consistent effort builds confidence and sharpens understanding. Those who stay disciplined find that their knowledge expands in meaningful ways that support long-term ministry goals and practical leadership. (more…)

I’m off to visit my two military children and then my sister. My son is returning from overseas to his next duty station (which I won’t yet mention) while my daughter does what she can to keep the world safe.  After time with them, I’ll go see my sister in rural Marion, Indiana for a recentering and needed family time. As a result, I won’t be around much–a bit, but forgive me if I seem to be ignoring everyone! 

See you-all in a few weeks!

–Comments are closed because I may be on a plane!

Interesting thoughts from the Ask a Tech Teacher team on how education  paves the way for better psychiatric nursing care…

Caring for Mental Health: How Education Prepares Nurses for Psychiatric Care

Mental health care requires nurses to use specialized training to meet patients emotionally and psychologically. Through education and clinical learning, nurses develop the patience, communication skills, and understanding needed to support those facing mental health challenges. Academic preparation highlights attentive listening and calm guidance, helping patients feel understood rather than judged.

Each interaction becomes an opportunity to apply the knowledge gained through coursework, simulation exercises, and supervised clinical experience. Educational preparation enables nurses to remain flexible and thoughtful, particularly in psychiatric environments that can change rapidly and require a measured, informed response.

The Evolving Role of Nurses in Mental Health Education

Nurses preparing for psychiatric care quickly learn that the role extends beyond traditional bedside tasks. Educational programs in psychiatric nursing emphasize the importance of relationship building, emotional awareness, and patient-centered communication. Students study behavioral science, mental health assessment, and therapeutic interaction techniques to gain a deeper understanding of how mental health conditions affect behavior.

Academic training also introduces future nurses to real-world scenarios through case studies and clinical placements. These experiences help them recognize behavioral patterns, support medication plans, and guide patients through periods of confusion or emotional distress. Over time, education shapes a professional style that blends clinical structure with empathy and clear communication. (more…)

Here’s a list of resources to apply visual learning tools to your classroom:

Be sure to click heading links for more websites (more…)

Pressure from standardized testing can lead teachers to rely on repetitive, test-focused assessments that limit creativity and reduce student engagement. Constraints such as time often push educators to reuse familiar tasks, which can lower motivation and hinder deeper learning. To address this, gamification and randomized activities have become more popular, to introduce variety, choice, and challenge into assessments. These strategies help keep students engaged while still meeting learning objectives. Ultimately, it argues for a shift toward more dynamic, student-centered assessment practices that balance academic rigor with meaningful, engaging learning experiences.

One the Ask a Tech Teacher team was recently introduced to is Spin the Wheel. Here’s an overview:

From “Teaching to the Test” to “Teaching for Engagement”: Rethinking Assessment in the Classroom

Across classrooms worldwide, teachers are under intense pressure to produce measurable outcomes on standardized tests. These high-stakes assessments influence evaluations, promotions, and perceptions of learning success. While accountability is important, the unintended consequence has been a narrowing of instruction, as teachers often feel compelled to follow test-aligned content rigidly, leaving little room for creativity, curiosity, or deep learning.

The result? Teachers face the nearly impossible task of repeatedly designing fresh, engaging work that aligns with expected testing standards while keeping students motivated. With limited planning time and heavy workloads, many educators fall back on familiar assessments, recycling the same tests for multiple classes. While this approach is convenient, it comes at a cost. Students quickly recognize the patterns, disengage, and often view learning as repetitive or unrewarding. (more…)

Last month, I talked about my secret to making all elementary-age students tech savvy. I promised to give you a list of the sixteen tech problems I teach between kindergarten and 5th grade so by Middle School, students feel capable not only in facing common tech problems, but in solving new ones.

Here’s the table:

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