Blogs

Make Way for Reading Skills: Are Your Students’ Reading Ducks in a Row?

By Kevin Wong posted 5 days ago
Make Way for Reading Skills : Are Y our S tudents’ R eading D ucks in a R ow? By Robin Quick Have you ever seen a mama duck and ducklings walking along a creek? They stay in a line moving steadily forward , each duck following closely behind the next. But if one duck slows down or stops, the entire line is affected: the others must stop, crowd together, or move around it to keep going. Reading development works in a similar way . When the “reading ducklings” line up behind the mama duck of literacy, each skill supports the nex t. Oral language, phonemes, let te r ...

Member Spotlight: Mrs. Janna Kirby

By Raevyn Harris posted 10 days ago
Meet Janna Kirby , an elementary teacher with Bauxite School District in Bauxite, Arkansas, and a member of the Alpha Alpha Sigma Chapter at University of the Ozarks. Since first joining KDP in 2007, Janna has remained committed throughout her career. This year, she celebrates another milestone as she earns her master’s degree from Henderson State University in Educational Leadership. Learning and Growing with KDP For Janna, KDP has been a consistent source of growth, connection, and professional learning. "I love the teaching channel,” she says. “I have used it as a resource for instructional strategies as well as for professional ...

Member Spotlight: Dr. Lucijan Jović

By Raevyn Harris posted 10 days ago
Meet Dr. Lucijan Jović, an educator, researcher, and KDP United Nations Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Representative who is committed to advancing equitable education for all learners. In the classroom, he teaches 8th-grade English and Writing, along with high school students in grades 9–12 with limited English proficiency, helping them build language skills, confidence, and academic success. Dr. Jović earned his doctorate in Educational Leadership and Administration from Molloy University, where his work focused on social justice and ensuring access to high-quality education for every student. In his classroom, Dr. Jović is ...

Mother’s Day Is Coming. Here’s How to Make It Work for Every Student.

By Michelle Melani posted 11 days ago
You’re planning a fun Mother’s Day activity. You’ve got the materials ready. What you might not know is that for at least one student in your class, this week is really hard. A student’s mother might have died. She might live in another state, be deployed, or be incarcerated. Her whereabouts may not even be known to her child. These aren’t rare situations. They show up in classrooms every year, often without warning. You may not know which students are carrying this kind of loss, and that’s okay. You don’t need to know every student’s story to handle this well. Keep the framing broad. Instead of directing the activity specifically toward mothers, open ...

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

By Kevin Wong posted 19 days ago
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 ...

Member Spotlight: Ms. Nakesha Patrice Robinson

By Raevyn Harris posted 24 days ago
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 ...

Member Spotlight: Ms. Maria Cleofe Palma

By Raevyn Harris posted 24 days ago
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, ...

From 'Time-Crunched' to Tech-Savvy: A Teacher's Guide to Learning Experience Design

By Kevin Wong posted 03-31-2026
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 ...

Member Spotlight: April Federico

By Raevyn Harris posted 03-26-2026
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. ...

Legacy Member Spotlight: Mr. Theodore Timms

By Raevyn Harris posted 03-26-2026
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, ...

5 Tips to Create a Classroom Community of Care

By Kevin Wong posted 03-17-2026
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 ...

Member Spotlight: Mrs. Yauheniya Kakhno

By Raevyn Harris posted 03-12-2026
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. ...

Laureate Member Spotlight: Dr. James A. Banks

By Raevyn Harris posted 03-12-2026
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. ...

Simplifying Differentiation: The Power of Knowing Your Students

By Kevin Wong posted 03-03-2026
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 ...

Member Spotlight: Hannah Colwell

By Raevyn Harris posted 02-26-2026
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 ...

Why Teaching Cursive Still Matters: For Access, Identity, and Equity

By Kevin Wong posted 02-17-2026
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 ...

Lunar New Year 2026: What it is and mini-lessons you can teach tomorrow

By Michelle Melani posted 02-16-2026
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 ...

Member Spotlight: Dr. Pede Intong Casing

By Raevyn Harris posted 02-12-2026
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 ...

Laureate Member Spotlight: Dr. Christine Sleeter

By Raevyn Harris posted 02-12-2026
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 ...

Creo En Ti: 5 Tips For Working With Multilingual Learners

By Kevin Wong posted 02-03-2026
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 ...