I have four ideas that can start drastically improving the way education is taught.
Idea #1: Trained Behavior Aides in K-2nd Classrooms**
The early years of education, especially K-2nd, are both exciting and challenging for young children. However, the current model expects one teacher to successfully manage over 25 students, many of whom may be dealing with difficult home circumstances that can deeply impact their ability to learn. We can’t change their home lives, but we can change how we teach.
My proposal: Let’s provide one trained behavior aide for each K-1 grade level. This dedicated professional would support students who need additional emotional and behavioral guidance, allowing teachers to focus on instruction and ensuring all students receive the attention they need. Behavior aides could help with social-emotional learning, conflict resolution, and provide individualized support for students who may need more help processing their emotions or working through stress.
As a social-emotional coach pursuing my master’s degree to become a 3rd grade teacher, I see firsthand the importance of early intervention. During the pandemic, I invented a stress-relief device called The Stresslet, designed to help students manage anxiety and improve emotional regulation while they continue to work. My ultimate goal with this was to use my business to fund this idea, but this idea can’t wait because this is a crucial step toward in transforming the way we support young learners. For more information please contact me.
Idea #2: Behavioral Encore**
This is a game-changer for helping students develop the mental resilience they need to navigate life challenges. It’s not enough for kids to just learn academic subjects; they also need the emotional tools to handle stress, disappointment, and trauma, especially in the face of difficult home lives.
A “Behavioral Encore” could take many forms:
- Emotional Regulation Lessons: Teaching kids specific strategies for identifying and managing their emotions (e.g., deep breathing, journaling, talking about feelings).
- Conflict Resolution: Helping students learn how to handle interpersonal issues, especially in a group setting.
- Stress Management: Providing students with tools for dealing with stress in a healthy way, whether through mindfulness practices, physical activity, or just learning how to articulate their feelings.
The idea of weaving emotional intelligence (EQ) into the curriculum alongside physical education (PE) and arts is something that could have a profound effect on students’ well-being. Plus, it could improve their overall engagement in school because they would feel more in control of their emotions.
Idea #3: Free Tutors for Students Below Grade Level**
This is one of the most powerful ways to ensure that no student falls behind. Reading proficiency by 3rd grade is considered a critical milestone for academic success, the fact that our country has high schoolers reading at a 6th grade level is an alarming indicator of how education is going. We need to create change now or the problems we face will create changes we don’t want.
- Tutoring Programs: After-school and weekend tutoring would be an ideal solution for students who need extra support. These sessions could be tailored to address specific subjects (like reading, math, etc.) where students are struggling.
- Peer Tutors: High school students who are excelling academically could be trained to tutor younger students, which would benefit both the tutor and the student being tutored.
- Parent Involvement: The best tutoring programs also involve the student’s family in some capacity, whether through workshops or regular communication with parents, so they can support their child’s learning at home.
Making tutoring free and easily accessible for students not meeting grade-level expectations is a powerful way to close achievement gaps and level the playing field for all students.
Bonus Idea: Summer School as a Requirement for Struggling Students
This is a more controversial suggestion, but there’s merit to the idea of requiring summer school for students who are not meeting grade-level standards. In essence, you’re creating a safety net for students who may need extra time to catch up.
However, it would be important to ensure that summer school is:
- Engaging and Fun: A big barrier to summer school programs can be the negative stigma attached to them. If students feel that they are simply being “punished” or forced to attend, it could lead to resentment. A more positive approach could be framing summer school as a way for students to get ahead, catch up on missed work, or focus on areas where they need extra help.
- More Personalized: Summer programs should have a smaller student-to-teacher ratio, so that students get more one-on-one attention.
- Comprehensive: Besides just academics, summer programs could focus on personal growth, such as emotional development, physical activity, or art, so that kids are getting a more well-rounded experience.
While it might feel like “tough love,” the structure could help hold families accountable while also giving kids the tools they need to succeed. It might also reduce the “summer slide,” where students lose significant progress over the summer break.
We, as adults, need to take our own emotions out of educational decisions.
If we truly want to fight for our kids, it’s time to stop focusing on superficial changes, like renaming schools or debating policies that don’t move the needle. Instead, we need to focus on transforming the lives of students—the next generation depends on it.
Put me on your educational team, and I’ll form an Avenger-style team to push for real, actionable change. Our goal isn’t to talk about change; it’s to implement it. If we don’t act, we will face real disasters as a result of our inaction. The clock is ticking, and every moment we waste is another child left behind. I am ready when you are.