With little more than a month until the Presidential election, teachers all over the country are taking advantage of the season to teach students about civic engagement. Looking for ways to engage with your students? Check out KQED and The National Writing Project’s ideas for how to encourage students to write letters to the next President. Join in the conversation with the Teacher’s Guild by sharing how you encourage students’ civic voices with #CivicVoices on Twitter and learn about their research into civic engagement. Or, check out Youth Service America's list on how children five years and older can get involved and volunteer during this year's election.

Attempted Suicide Sparks Action

Colorado teacher, Brittni Darras, was shocked to find out that one of her students had attempted suicide citing that no one would miss or notice that she was gone. Darras took action to make sure that all her students know how valued they are for their unique contributions to the school community. September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Learn more about how to spot the warning signs and where to find help (Larimer, Washington Post).

Teaching About Protest: The Dakota Access Pipeline

Current protests organized by the Standing Rock Sioux tribe in North Dakota against the Dakota Access Pipeline call to mind a history of Native American protests and offer a prime opportunity for teachers to help their students learn about Native American history as well as contemporary issues and the tradition of protests in America. This blog provides basic who-what-where-why answers about the pipeline and protestors and offers a teachers toolkit (carylsue, National Geographic Education Blog).

Let’s do lunch! Teen Creates Lunch-Buddy app

What happens when you’re a lonely lunch eater who’s also tech-savvy? You create an app for kids to find lunch buddies. That's why sixteen year-old junior, Natalie Hampton, who was bullied during 7th and 8th grade, came up with a "Sit With Us" app. It allows students a judgment-free way to find lunch mates without the fear of being rejected. Students can sign up as ‘ambassadors’ and post open seats at their lunch table. Students with nowhere to sit can use the app to find a table that is welcoming (Itkowitz, Washington Post). 

Emoji-themed Classroom, Kid-directed Organization Make the Grade

In Lauren Bakian Aaker’s classroom in New York City, she selects a theme for the year, which has ranged from Super Mario Students to Minion Buddies. This year it’s emoji, and emojis decorate everything throughout the classroom. But Bakian Aaker’s fourth-graders aren’t just learners; they also play a key role in organizing the classroom and directing the curriculum. Students “help me make it a place where learning and teaching is bright and cheerful from September to June,” Bakian Aaker says (Disare, Chalkbeat).

U.S Scores Low in Access to Early Education

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) released a report showing that the United States is way behind other industrialized countries when it comes to enrolling young children in early education programs. Out of 36 countries, the U.S. ranked 29 in preschool enrollment rates for its 3- and 4-year-olds, according to the study. Educators almost universally agree that those with early preschool perform better in school (Camera, U.S. News & World Report). 

ED is addressing this need. Over the past eight years we have expanded preschool and improved the quality of preschool programs. Through the Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge, more than $1 billion helped 20 states design and implement cohesive systems of quality early learning programs. And through the Preschool Development Grants, 18 states are providing 35,000 four-year-olds with high-quality early learning experiences.

October is National Principal’s Month and the National Association of Secondary School Principals invites students to make one-to-two minute videos shouting out why their principal is so awesome. Students can submit videos on YouTube for a chance to win a prize. Watch last year's winners and read all the fine print. And educators can honor the hard work of America’s principals all month long, send ecards, post to social media with #ThankAPrincipal and find webinars and valuable resources, too.

According to an NPR article, researchers have found more evidence for the use of K-8 schools and abandoning the common 6-8 grade middle school structure. Sixth graders were bullied significantly less when no longer the “bottom of the food chain” at schools. The puberty years are already hard enough, these researchers argue for a change to the typical middle school structure that could benefit many children (Kamenetz).

Olympic Gold for Teachers

Teachers and Olympic coaches have more in common than one might think. Sibling writers, Jessica and Zachary Herrmann, explore six lessons from the playing field that teachers can take away from professional athletic coaches. Teachers are in it for the long haul, so how can they make sure they win gold? Some of the lessons won’t surprise all teachers, but review the list to see what might support your practice.

This week Teachers Edition asked educators what teacher leadership means to them.

5. "Teacher leadership allows teachers to shape the policies and share widely the practices that have the greatest impact on student success." – Teacher, Georgia

4. "Owning a teacher leader role at my school is what saved me from leaving the classroom." – Teacher, Michigan

3.  "Teacher leadership has allowed me to be a change-maker while staying in the classroom." –  Teacher, Nevada

2.  " Teacher leadership is about is about being both knowledgeable & willing to learn in order to impact change for students and the profession." – Teacher, Arizona

1. " Teacher leadership has given me a broader, more holistic appreciation for the teaching profession, the stakeholders involved, and the students who are so critical to the future of our nation." – Teacher, Illinois