Blogs

Pariendo Chistes: ¡¿Who Knew Homophones Could Be So Funny?!

By Kevin Wong posted 18 hours ago
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Pariendo Chistes : ¡¿ Who Kn ew Homophones Could Be So Funny?! By Mitch D. Ingram “ Se nos nació ” as we say in Spanish. It was just born, naturally , out of the activity that we were doing about homophones in class. One of my favorite go-to assignments every spring as a bilingual elementary teacher for 14 years was the beloved “Homophone Book let .” The state standards require d our third graders t o   “ identify, use, and explain the meaning of antonyms, synonyms, idioms, homophones, and homographs in a text ” and it was always a wonderful ...
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Member Spotlight: Ms. Nakesha Patrice Robinson

By Raevyn Harris posted 5 days ago
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KDP member Ms. Nakesha Patrice Robinson is a dedicated Early Childhood Educator and member of the Alpha Epsilon Gamma Chapter at Grand Canyon University. For her teaching is more than a career—it is a daily opportunity to build a foundation for the next generation. Nakesha’s journey is fueled by a commitment to creating spaces where the youngest learners can find their voice and their confidence. Bridging Theory and Practice Navigating the transition from coursework to the classroom can be a whirlwind, but Nakesha has found a steady anchor in the Kappa Delta Pi community. For her, the organization has served as a bridge between her academic ...
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Member Spotlight: Ms. Maria Cleofe Palma

By Raevyn Harris posted 5 days ago
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For Ms. Maria Cleofe Palma , a teacher member of the Alpha Kappa Tau Chapter at the University of the Southwest, the classroom is more than a place for formulas—it is a laboratory for life skills and a bridge between cultures. As a High School Special Education (SPED) Math Teacher and J-1 exchange teacher, Maria brings a global perspective to her work, fueled by the belief that every student can flourish when given the right tools and a supportive environment. Bringing Math to Life Maria’s approach to teaching Financial Literacy centers on making the abstract tangible. Recognizing that many of her students thrive through tactile learning, ...
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From 'Time-Crunched' to Tech-Savvy: A Teacher's Guide to Learning Experience Design

By Kevin Wong posted 14 days ago
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From 'Time-Crunched' to Tech-Savvy: A Teacher's Guide to Learning Experience Design By Colton H. Clark Closing the “Knowing-Doing” Gap Imagine this scene: you deliver a fantastic lesson on primary sources. The exit ticket shows that your students can define "primary source" perfectly. Success! But the next day, when you ask them to analyze a 1920s political cartoon for bias, you are met with blank stares. They know the definition, but they cannot do the analysis. This is the “knowing-doing gap,” a common challenge that reflects the disconnect between theoretical knowledge and practical ...
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Member Spotlight: April Federico

By Raevyn Harris posted 19 days ago
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Meet April Federico, a member of the Epsilon Rho Chapter at Rhode Island College. For April, the classroom is a place of profound transformation, and she doesn't just teach subjects; she unlocks potential. “I’m inspired to teach because I believe education has the power to change the trajectory of a person’s life,” April shares. “That moment when a student understands something new, feels seen, or realizes they are capable—that’s what motivates me.” By combining her passions for creativity and human connection, she strives to be the kind of educator who opens doors for students, helping them see possibilities for a future they may not yet recognize. ...
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Legacy Member Spotlight: Mr. Theodore Timms

By Raevyn Harris posted 19 days ago
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For Mr. Theodore Timms, the path to becoming a teacher was not easy. “Based on my SAT and ACT scores, I was not meant to be in college, let alone graduate,” says Mr. Timms. “There were many naysayers. To them, becoming a college graduate was impossible.” He proved them wrong in 1986, becoming a first-generation graduate of North Texas State University. “That accomplishment was the best I had ever done,” he recalls. It launched a 30-year career that took him from a third-grade classroom—where he was his students' first male teacher—to the principal’s office. His inspiration was sparked by his own teachers, particularly his 11th-grade Latin instructor, ...
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5 Tips to Create a Classroom Community of Care

By Kevin Wong posted 28 days ago
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5 Tips to Create a Classroom Community of Care By Katherine Horlock and Cindy Melton A classroom community rooted in care lays the foundation for student success and academic growth. When teachers demonstrate trust and encourage a sense of belonging in the classroom , students feel safe, connected, and encouraged to learn. A caring classroom enhances student retention, content mastery, and emotional well-being. For students to excel, teachers must consistently and intentionally plan ways to build connections with students and provide space for a comfortable and safe learning environment. The following ...
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Member Spotlight: Mrs. Yauheniya Kakhno

By Raevyn Harris posted 03-12-2026
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Meet Mrs. Yauheniya Kakhno , a new KDP member, art educator, designer, and founder of the creative design school ConceptART. Through her work as both a teacher and artist, Mrs. Kakhno helps students discover their creativity and develop confidence through art and design. Mrs. Kakhno earned her higher artistic education from the Belarusian State University of Culture and Arts, where she built a strong foundation in classical art, composition, and cultural management. Over the years, she has combined traditional art education with modern digital tools to create engaging learning experiences for students of all ages. Today, at ConceptART, Mrs. ...
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Laureate Member Spotlight: Dr. James A. Banks

By Raevyn Harris posted 03-12-2026
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For nearly 60 years, Dr. James A. Banks has worked to change a simple but powerful idea: whose stories matter in school . A KDP Laureate member and one of the leading voices in multicultural education, Dr. Banks dedicated his career to expanding educational opportunity and ensuring that students from every racial, cultural, and linguistic background are seen and supported in the classroom. He served as the Kerry and Linda Killinger Endowed Chair in Diversity Studies and is now Emeritus at the University of Washington. His story begins in the rural South, where he attended racially segregated schools as a child and worked on farms while growing up. ...
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Simplifying Differentiation: The Power of Knowing Your Students

By Kevin Wong posted 03-03-2026
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Simplifying Differentiation: The Power of Knowing Your Students By Erika Flynn, Ellie Glover, Halle Haigis, and Kim McCormick As future educators, we are beginning to realize just how complex and rewarding teaching can be. During our time as preservice teachers, we’ve often heard that every student is unique but experiencing that firsthand through our methods courses made it more real. Successful teaching hinges on recognizing these differences ( Toml inson and Moon 201 3) . At first, the idea of differentiation felt overwhelming, almost like something reserved for ...
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Member Spotlight: Hannah Colwell

By Raevyn Harris posted 02-26-2026
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For Ms. Hannah Colwell , teaching isn’t just about lesson plans or standards. It’s about people. A graduate of Western Governors University and a KDP member of the Alpha Epsilon Sigma Chapter, Ms. Colwell is currently pursuing her master’s degree while continuing to grow as an educator. She says KDP has played an important role in that journey. “KDP connects you with experienced teachers and university faculty who can offer invaluable advice on classroom management, curriculum development, and navigating school politics,” she explains. Just as meaningful, she adds, is the sense of community. “The community provides a network of peers who are facing ...
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Why Teaching Cursive Still Matters: For Access, Identity, and Equity

By Kevin Wong posted 02-17-2026
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Why Teaching Cursive Still Matters: F or Access, Identity, and Equity By Lisa Delgado Brown Do you know how to read cursive ? If so, consider yourself lucky. There are swaths of children and adults worldwide who no longer know how to read cursive . The problem has become so prolific that t he US National Archives recently issued a call for volunteers to translate historical documents originally written in cursive (Rink, 2025) . Thi s re ques t highlights a critical issue that has emerged as the teaching of cursive has faded from mainstream educational curricula: only ...
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Lunar New Year 2026: What it is and mini-lessons you can teach tomorrow

By Michelle Melani posted 02-16-2026
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Lunar New Year is one of the most joyful, story-rich moments to build belonging in a classroom. It’s also an easy “win” for busy teachers: you can teach it thoughtfully in short, low-prep bursts (without needing to be a cultural expert). In 2026, Lunar New Year begins on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 , and the traditional celebration period lasts about 15 days , ending with the Lantern Festival on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 . 2026 is also the Year of the Horse , often described as the Fire Horse in zodiac traditions. This post is designed to help you: Understand key Lunar New Year ideas Choose culturally respectful ways to talk about it Plug in mini-lessons ...
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Member Spotlight: Dr. Pede Intong Casing

By Raevyn Harris posted 02-12-2026
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Meet Dr. Pede Intong Casing , a KDP teacher member and mathematics educator with more than sixteen years of experience teaching in both the Philippines and the United States. He currently serves as a Mathematics Teacher at Alamogordo High School in the Alamogordo Public Schools District in New Mexico, where he is known for his commitment to student success, innovative instruction, and service beyond the classroom. Dr. Casing holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematical Sciences with a specialization in Mathematics Education from the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines. He also earned a Master of Arts in Education in Mathematics ...
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Laureate Member Spotlight: Dr. Christine Sleeter

By Raevyn Harris posted 02-12-2026
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Meet Dr. Christine Sleeter, KDP Laureate Chapter Member Dr. Christine Sleeter has spent nearly 50 years working in education. As a member of KDP’s Laureate Chapter , her career reflects decades of teaching, research, and leadership focused on improving learning experiences for all students. After graduating from college unsure of her next steps, she began student teaching in Seattle during a period of active school desegregation. In classrooms shaped by systemic inequality, she observed early on that students of color were not being offered the same level of academic challenge or respect that she had experienced as a student. “I could see ...
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Creo En Ti: 5 Tips For Working With Multilingual Learners

By Kevin Wong posted 02-03-2026
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Creo En Ti: 5 Tips For Working With Multilingual Learners By Gina Stevens (Above) teacher Gina Stevens believes in her students and fosters biliteracy. “You shouldn’t go into teaching. You’d have to retake the ACT, and you just don’t have the grades.” It wasn’t easy hearing this from a college guidance counselor, especially when I had spent the majority of my life aspiring to be a teacher. I was devastated. Can you think of a time at some point in your life when you felt doubted or discouraged? How has this experience impacted ...
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Board Spotlight: Mr. Khalil Roy

By Raevyn Harris posted 01-29-2026
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As KDP National Board Director-at-Large and a Social Studies and Career & Technical Education (CTE) teacher for grades 8–12 in Central Louisiana, Mr. Khalil Roy brings both lived experience and deep commitment to his work in education. His path to teaching was driven by a clear purpose: to be part of the solution in closing educational gaps—especially in rural communities like the one that raised him. “What inspired me to become an educator was the desire to be part of the solution in closing the gap in education,” he shares. “I wanted to give back to my parish, a place that raised me but often lacked the resources and opportunities students in ...
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Member Spotlight: Ryan Zelinski

By Raevyn Harris posted 01-29-2026
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Ryan Zelinski has been a proud KDP member for five years. He teaches in the Exercise Science Department at Wheeling University, where he enjoys working closely with students and supporting them as they pursue big goals. When he’s not in the classroom, you’ll find him on the baseball field serving as an NCAA college baseball umpire. Being part of the KDP community reminds Ryan why he became a teacher in the first place. He shared that what helps him thrive is knowing we have the ability to help others achieve their goals in life. Outside of teaching, Ryan stays busy living on his farm and competing in Ironman triathlons. ...
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Navigating the ESL Maze: Finding the Right Approach for Multilingual Learners

By Kevin Wong posted 01-20-2026
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Navigating the ESL Maze: Finding the Right Approach for Multilingual Learners By Daniel Malakowsky Back To School Imagine it's your first week of school. You've greeted your students, gathered assessment data, and now face the challenge of meeting the diverse literacy needs of students . A mong your students are multilingual learners (MLLs) who come to schools with multiple languages , and the question arises: How do you support them effectively? This article explores support models for MLLs—guiding educators in choosing the right approach. Of course, culturally appropriate Tier ...
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Member Spotlight: Brooke Tiano

By Raevyn Harris posted 01-13-2026
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KDP is proud to spotlight one of our newest members, Brooke Tiano, an ESE Support Facilitator whose passion for inclusive education and student-centered teaching makes her an incredible addition to her KDP community. Finding Connection and Purpose Through KDP As a special education teacher and new KDP member, Brooke shares that joining KDP has already been transformative. “KDP has connected me with educators who truly understand the heart and complexity of teaching—especially in special education, where every student’s journey is unique.” Through virtual events, shared resources, and member support, she has found fresh strategies ...
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