The Power Struggle (part 2)
In Part One of The Power Struggle, I focused on tips to empower educators in building their self-awareness during or before a potential power struggle. In Part Two, I will…
Extreme Experiments
My students are always excited to do science experiments, especially because they don’t have the chance to do experiments during the school day. We will often use this book called Candy Experiments when doing a science activity with the students. (more…)
Top 4 Sites for Planning Physical Activities
When students are dismissed from school and arrive to your program what is the first thing you notice? Give up? The amount of energy they have! The first category of resources I want to share is for physical activity. These students have been sitting at a desk for most of the day receiving a very little amount of time to get their energy out of their systems. At my program I always try to include activities where my students have to get up and move around. This helps them better focus later on when I need them to regroup and focus on something different. Here are my top 4 resources I use when planning the physical activities for my program.
The Power Struggle
Part 1: Awareness Does this sound familiar? Educator: "You are always interrupting my program by making by silly fart noises. Cut it out." Student: "You're always blaming me for stuff…
From My Classroom to Yours
Being a director for a morning and aftercare program is no easy task. The children always have a ton of energy and it is the responsibility of you and your staff to keep them engaged in activities from the moment they arrive to your program to the moment they leave; sounds easy but it most certainly is not. (more…)
New Middle School OST Grants – Up to $100k
Thinking about how to support middle school OST? The New York Life Foundation has opened a new Aim High grant opportunity focused on middle school. Aim High will provide $1.95M…
Sweat the Small Stuff
Little Details Matter At the age of 15, I started working as a camp counselor at a local community center in Bridgeport, CT. I was a drill sergeant back then. …
SAVE THE DATE: Upcoming Confidential Licensing Listening Sessions
The Connecticut After School Network will be hosting confidential listening sessions throughout January 2017. All licensed and exempt after school program providers are encouraged to come and share their thoughts,…
New to the Game
Tips to Build Rapport with Students for New After-School Educators Are you a new after-school educator? If so, you might feel like an outsider. You might witness sincere interactions between…
CT Research Highlighted in Fall 2016 Afterschool Matters Journal
For over a decade, afterschool programs have been positioning themselves as viable partners in student learning. After all, afterschool programs challenge students' thinking, teach collaboration, and help children and youth…