The Educator's Playbook

Research-backed strategies from Penn GSE to empower K-12 educators

Preparing a classroom for constructive dialogue

Sometimes student interactions turn contentious. Sarah Kavanagh explains how teachers can guide students in setting their own rules and norms for class discussions and enforcing those rules.

Two elementary school students speak and gesture to each other in a contentious conversation in front of a chalkboard with chalk speech bubbles drawn over each.

The upper left corner of a computer screen depicting the Federal Student Aid website.

Five tips for dealing with the new FAFSA

Last year’s rollout of the redesigned FAFSA form was disastrous. Laura Perna offers advice to help you get through it this year.

For Parents

Middle school-aged children engaged in group discussion at Penn Alexander Elementary

Four ways to open dialogue

Educators face mounting challenges navigating political and social discourse, and this fall will test them. Abby Reisman offers 4 ways to open classroom conversations.

A graphic of a divided United States map in blue and red, with silhouetted figures in the foreground against a gradient background.

Five tips to spark conversation amid political discord

Topics like the upcoming presidential election may lead to difficult discussions in communities and classrooms. Jonathan Zimmerman offers advice on how to facilitate constructive dialogue among your students.

A teen in gym clothes holding a football stands in the entrance to a stadium looking out onto the field.

Helping your student-athlete navigate recruiting and college athletics

Diana Wildermuth provides some pointers for parents and caregivers to help their student athletes navigate the college recruiting process.

For Parents

Most Recent Podcasts

Podcast episode cover artwork featuring the Educator’s Playbook show name, this episode’s number and title, and cut-out images of the show guests.

Creating an Inclusive Classroom Environment for ALL Students (S1E8)

How do you create learning environments that accommodate, and celebrate, all of your students' different backgrounds?

Teaching Critical Thinking: Media Literacy and Document-Based Historical Inquiry (S1E7)

Arming students with critical thinking skills is essential in this digital era. But how do we do that?

Improving Reading & Math Proficiency: the Mississippi Miracle and Redefining State Standards (S1E6)

Educators are all too familiar with the National Assessment of Educational Progress, or NAEP. It's known as the nation's report card– and as a country, our grades are dropping.

Combating Burnout: Strategies and Support for K-12 Educators (S1E5)

K-12 educators have the highest burnout rates of any segment of the U.S. workforce. We chat with two experts to help explore burnout's root causes, repercussions, and remedies.