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Major upgrades are coming to these 15 public libraries in Idaho to address community needs
This fall, the Cascade Public Library will add 1,000 square feet of interior space and 1,500 square feet of usable exterior space. The library will add a dedicated media/telehealth room, kitchen space and two ADA-accessible restrooms. There will also be a separate children’s area. Bear Lake County Library District in Montpelier will create safe, usable […]
Equipping ourselves with knowledge and skills in intercultural communication is a necessity
Mark, an American, is sitting next to Sheila on an airplane. She is a first-time traveler to the United States, from England. They strike up a conversation. Mark: So, Sheila, are you feeling ready for your first trip to the states? Sheila: I’m excited about starting, but I feel a tad paggered. Last night I […]
Here are tips to help your Idaho student cope successfully with kindergarten
Young children’s early experiences with learning are critically important to their later success. How can parents, preschool and primary teachers make sure that those engagements are as positive as possible, particularly in today’s complex world? Expectations for children and teachers have dramatically increased. Technology is changing the nature of what we think of as literacy. […]
Idaho’s digital divide is a complex problem with no easy solutions, but here are tools to help
Technology touches everyone, everywhere. Every household needs to have broadband access. It is no longer a luxury. But large sectors of the population lack access to such services for internet use as well as other crucial forms of digital technology. As a parent and educator, I have pondered this dilemma for years. The depth of […]
These 9 hacks will help get your Idaho student ready for kindergarten. (Hint: Start this summer)
Preschool children are confident in spirit, abundant in energy, and eager to learn. For them, everything is still possible. Many people wait until back-to-school season to begin preparing young children for the next phase. For those just beginning school, now is a good time to take advantage of precious months that can be used to […]
Facilities projects, reading accessibility, digital inclusion: How libraries shape Idaho
“The only thing that you absolutely have to know,” said Albert Einstein, “is the location of the library.” Today’s library goes far beyond books. In Idaho, especially in small and/or rural areas, the library can be the only place in town to hold a meeting, access reliable, high-speed internet, conduct a private telehealth appointment, or […]
Parents must be prepared to talk to their kids about school shootings. Here are tips on how.
The more things change, the more they stay the same, or so the saying goes. In January 2021, I wrote a column called “Talking to your kids about recent mob violence.” The recent tragedies in Uvalde, Texas, and several other states bring on the sad occasion to write this piece again. I need to repurpose […]
Tips for Idaho teachers in the wake of the delta variant
For a while, things have been returning back to normal, albeit a “new normal.” Due to COVID-19, most students did not have in-person instruction last year, and most of those who did only returned part-time with mask mandates in place. Now, we are weeks into a new school year. The hopes were to once again […]
Teachers transformed education during pandemic. Let’s use what we’ve learned to heal, grow.
In “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho, Santiago is a shepherd boy who travels in search of extravagant treasures. He journeys to the markets of Tangiers and across the Egyptian desert. The story teaches us about listening to our hearts and learning to read the omens strewn along life’s path. With each passing obstacle and hurdle […]