As a Jew, it makes me sick to see the Trump administration use “anti-Semitism” as a reason to vilify anyone, be it a university or an immigrant.
Trump’s minions include numerous openly anti-Semitic allies. He’s gotten support from David Duke, Richard Spencer, Nick Fuentes, and Kanye West, all of whom have expressed anti-Semitic views. He should reprimand all the Nazi-loving guys who carry Nazi symbols and chant “The Jews will not replace us.”
And then there’s Elon Musk, who twice gave the Nazi salute at Trump’s inauguration Right hand on heart, then thrust straight out. Elon re-opened Twitter to expressions of anti-Senitism and racism.
I support the First Amendment and oppose efforts to limit free speech.
But I hate hypocrisy. If Trump intends to use anti-Semitism as a reason to scour social media accounts, he should deport his anti-Semitic friends.
Ransomware’s Prime Target: Securing Educational Institutions
Anthony Cusimano
By Anthony Cusimano, director of technical marketing, Object First
In recent years, ransomware has become the most destructive cyber threat impacting industries of all sizes –in the first half of 2022, there were over 236 million ransomware attacks worldwide. Threat actors have launched ransomware attacks on various targets, including businesses, hospitals, supply chain infrastructures, and education systems, to extort money in exchange for stolen data.
According to a 2022 year-end report, schools sustained the same number of ransomware attacks in 2022 as in 2021, with the most significant attack being Los Angeles Unified School District, which included over 1,300 schools and 500,000 students. While the goal of educators is to establish secure learning environments for students – be it through online or in-person education – far too many are faced with the challenge of ever-increasing ransomware attacks that makes safeguarding IT environments to ensure data protection difficult.
Education systems shouldn’t have to suffer the continuous data theft and extortion that the past few years have burdened them with. By incorporating affordable ransomware-proof tools, these organizations can ensure the safety of backups and effectively defend against ransomware attacks without paying the ransom.
Why the education system continues to be a prime ransomware target
Schools have a wealth of sensitive information about their students and faculty on hand for cybercriminals to target. This includes information such as financial aid records, birth certificates, behavioral records, and addresses that, if left unprotected, can be stolen and sold on the dark web.
Ransomware attacks pose the most significant cybersecurity risk regarding operational disruptions and overall expenses for K-12 schools and districts. This is often because these school systems need more money and education to adopt proper security tools. Within school systems, allocating resources to defend against cyberattacks is restricted by a limited budget, resulting in inadequate IT infrastructure and smaller teams – further weakening visibility to detect potential threats before it’s too late. Because of this, when compared to other industries, the education system falls short of proper protection.
But that’s not all. While there are many reasons why ransomware attacks against education systems have been and continue to remain rampant, a primary reason for this surge is that the COVID-19 pandemic increased reliance on virtual platforms for students to participate in remote learning. This shift created an even larger threat landscape for an underprepared and under-resourced industry, expanding vulnerabilities while perpetuating increased data being stored electronically. This, paired with a strained IT budget and lack of dedicated resources to fight ransomware, has left schools open for attackers to capitalize on.
The path forward: how to better protect schools against ransomware
The first step in protecting schools from ransomware is building defense strategies that invest in mature security measures. This means outlining a comprehensive plan of action for a potential attack on education systems, including roles and responsibilities for everyone from principals to IT administrators and teachers. By making a contact list for appropriate constituents that need to be alerted in the event of an attack and connecting with these people to navigate the plan of action, everyone is prepared for when disaster strikes.
In addition, it’s essential to ensure that school data is stored in a separate system that guarantees its availability and accessibility in the case of a data disruption. As ransomware attacks continue to rise — targeting primary data and, more often than ever, targeting backups – having multiple co-located backup copies, detection, and remediation is critical to ensure resilience. This is why on-premises object-based backup storage is a must-have for school systems. It provides inherent advantages such as scalability, availability, reliability, security, and immutability— and when implemented correctly, delivers unbelievable performance. It ensures that files cannot be modified, protecting them from threat actors.
When choosing on-premises object storage solutions, schools should look towards solutions designed specifically for the backup use case with hardened security and the right level of redundancy tailored for constrained IT. By implementing cost-effective and user-friendly systems, schools can overcome the constraints posed by limited personnel and restricted budgets while ensuring the best defense against ransomware with effortless immutability out of the box.
Lastly, it will always be important to educate about common cyber threats that could hit, including what signs to look out for and how to prevent them. Ensure that staff and students are participating in schoolwide cybersecurity trainings and fire drills, enable multifactor authentication into all school software and servers to ensure the correct individuals are gaining access to online systems, and stay up to date on the most recent ransomware prevention reference materials with best practices from reputable government resources.
While there is no “perfect way” to protect your organization from ransomware attacks, you can significantly reduce your chances of becoming the next victim by diligently equipping your employees with the necessary knowledge and defenses. Security planning goes beyond installing anti-virus software and integrating cloud object storage that offers better data security, so data remains untouched when an attack strikes. School districts can build a ransomware-proof environment and make ransomware a controlled risk.
A few years ago, when Julian Ramos first started teaching drama, he was hoping to explore Greek tragedy with his sixth graders. Then he realized only three out of his 30 students were reading at grade level. So, Sophocles was off the table.
A practical soul, he pivoted to “The Country Mouse and the City Mouse,” a charming fable popular with his second graders. The sixth graders loved it too, but Ramos still worries about their reading skills.
“Reading has become a chore for a lot of students,” said Ramos, a former English teacher who now specializes in dramatic literature at Pershing Elementary, a TK-6 school in Madera Unified, just northwest of Fresno in the San Joaquin Valley. “I’m currently struggling with how I can use my time wisely, productively and efficiently, as a drama class, but also to reinforce and enhance their literacy skills.”
In an age of widely declining literacy rates, Ramos, who grew up in Madera, realized that he has to meet the students where they are. Like many experts, he blames a confluence of factors, including excessive screen time and pandemic disruptions, for the fact that many students struggle to concentrate long enough to read deeply. One thing he doesn’t do is blame the kids.
“I myself have fallen victim to it,” he admits with characteristic candor. My whole life I have been a reader, but I’m not reading like I used to either. I find myself scrolling. So I can relate to the kids.”
Ramos, who studied with the celebrated Cajun playwright Anne Galjour (“Hurricane/Mauvais Temps”) at San Francisco State University, sees drama as a spark to fuel literacy. He hopes to parlay his students’ excitement about storytelling, their insatiable need to spill the tea, into a love of language.
“How can I use drama to familiarize them with language, with words, with communication?” he said, given that they are growing up in a texting culture that often eschews words and leans on emojis so hard that it’s “basically like hieroglyphics.” “Drama helps students to understand what motivates characters, and how those motivations can be expressed through written language.”
Students in Julian Ramos’ drama class in Madera.Credit: Courtesy of Julian Ramos
That’s why he’s so grateful that Proposition 28, the groundbreaking arts mandate, has allowed every Madera school to hire more arts teachers, expanding its music and drama programs substantially.
“It is important to expose children to the arts because they all have a voice and a story to tell and, without encouragement, many of those voices and stories go silent or become stifled,” said Ramos. “Many of those voices are made to believe what they have to say does not matter.”
While teaching full-time, Ramos is also pursuing his credential through Cal State East Bay’s new online dance and theater program, which launched in 2021, making it the first CSU to offer those credentials just as Proposition 28 kicked into high gear, creating thousands of new arts teaching jobs at California schools. It’s now the largest such program in the state, with students logging on from San Francisco to Los Angeles, not to mention the state’s geographical center, Madera.
Initially, many faculty members were skeptical of the efficacy of an online program, but it has proved to be quite popular, particularly with students who have competing responsibilities, such as jobs and children, like Ramos.
“The largest obstacle faced was a division in the faculty about whether teacher education could be taught in an online modality,” said Eric Engdahl, professor emeritus in the department of teacher education at CSUEB, who designed the program. “In the opinion of some, not all, teaching is an in-person profession and therefore needs all in-person instruction. However, online learning is what students want.”
If not for Engdahl’s prescience, pushing through an online program before the pandemic made such initiatives the norm, it would be even harder for districts like Madera to recruit arts teachers amid a statewide staffing shortage.
“I hope for a better hiring season this year, but local options look bleak,” said Brandon Gilles, director of arts education for Madera Unified School District, who has come to rely on the CSU East Bay training program to expand its arts initiatives. “The greatest challenge facing arts education in Madera Unified presently is hiring highly qualified teachers.”
One ongoing obstacle is the need to further expand the arts credential pipeline, which has withered amid decades of cutbacks. While 64 programs in the state offer a music credential and 57 offer a visual arts credential, right now fewer than two dozen focus on theater and dance. That’s not nearly enough to feed the need created by Proposition 28, which means Engdahl’s students are quite sought after.
“For the past few years, CSU East Bay has been an important program for training credentialed teachers,” said Gilles. “Many of our recent hires have benefited from their internship program, which allows credential candidates to start working while going to school instead of the traditional student teaching route. … CSUEB remains one of the only stable channels in this time of high demand.”
Despite the ongoing teacher crunch, there are several ways to work around the shortage. For example, physical education teachers who were credentialed before 2022 may already have dance embedded in their credential, experts say. The same is true for English teachers with a theater credential. Prospective arts educators with sufficient college credits in their discipline can also apply for supplemental authorization to teach instead of getting a full credential. Also, school districts that don’t have enough money to hire a full-time arts teacher of their own, experts say, may also qualify for a waiver to partner with a nonprofit arts provider instead.
Despite the growing pains of implementing Proposition 28, from finding teachers to navigating the complex spending rules, Engdahl is hopeful that, as the new arts mandate rolls out, more districts will realize what a powerful tool art is for uplifting a generation shaped by the pandemic.
Students in Julian Ramos’ drama class in Madera.Credit: Courtesy of Julian Ramos
“Proposition 28 will improve education in California, and it will increase our national standing,” said Engdahl. “One of the things I hope happens is not just a greater understanding of the arts, but that the arts are taught in a much broader and more inclusive and creative and physical way. I’m hoping that, as the arts become more normalized in schooling, we convey the idea of being a lifelong learner, that learning is fun.”
While some argue that the arts are a nicety and not a core element of education, many educators point to its ability to increase focus and concentration in the classroom, qualities which help students better understand all subjects, from reading and writing to math. Students can also learn life skills such as conflict resolution and social-emotional learning.
“Theatre engagement brings kids into the present moment and helps silence any chaos outside the rehearsal room, encouraging self-reflection and positive connections,” said Michele Hillen-Noufer, executive director of NorCal Arts, an arts education initiative that uses theater to help prevent violence. “As kids create and develop a character, they gain insight into other perspectives.”
Ramos particularly enjoys watching children let go of their fears, including the social anxiety that bedevils many children today, and come together with their peers to “create something beautiful.” They grow their creativity and their confidence day by day, he says.
“Many students enter the library, my classroom, and ask me if they can “act” that day,” said Ramos. “I have seen my students grow comfortable in being silly or serious in front of their peers and embrace new challenges and creative endeavors. Students have grown by collaborating with classmates, and are more comfortable in using their body, voice and imagination.”
Ramos has long felt a duty to share his love for dramatic art with the next generation. He sees it as a key to unlocking a love of language that opens the door for lifelong self-discovery, the alchemy of finding the right words. He uses everything from puppetry and poetry to pantomime to unleash that drive to create.
“These kids are storytellers, and giving them the opportunity to work on and tell those stories is fuel enough to keep wanting to provide that outlet,” he said.
How many of you are living at your classroom, trying to find ways to create a new and inviting space for your new students arriving in a few days? This year I found some new items for the classroom that I had to share. I am so excited to begin using these in my classroom this upcoming school year.
Items for the Classroom
Mini Chalkboards
I found these small chalkboard signs at AC Moore for a dollar. I wanted to use these to label each of my literacy centers. I allow my students free choice centers. They choose which center to attend each day as long as by the end of the week they have attended each center at least once (for students who finish centers early they are rewarded). To manage my centers, I only allow 4 students in each center at a time. I have tried many different ideas to help students show they are in the center. I have use the library card pockets and had students put popsicle sticks in with their names to mark the 4 students in the center. I have tried using clips and having them clip to a card describing the center. This year I will be having my students clip to this sturdier chalkboard. I will be able to clearly see who is in each group and that only 4 students are there at a time. Also, the chalkboard allows me to quickly change a center for the following week.
Really Good Stuff Bins
When our budget was due last year, I thought about what items for the classroom I truly needed for my classroom. We use guided math centers in our district and I wanted a way to better organize my math centers and provide multiple activities and differentiated activities in each center. I found these chapter book and picture book bins from Really Good Stuff. They have two dividers that separate the bins into 3 compartments. This will be perfect for my math centers. There will be three different activities students can complete and I can also differentiate during the different compartments or colors.
Flexible Seating
As I previously wrote, I had a project funded on Donor’s Choose for flexible seating last year. This summer I found these great stools at HomeGoods. I am in the process of spray painting them to match my room. This will provide almost every child with a flexible seating choice in our classroom. With a growing class, I am hoping to find a few more ideas for seating before the school year starts so that everyone can have their own seating. The flexible seating last year was amazing. My students were able to concentrate longer and produce more quality work. They loved the choice of working in centers with different flexible seating and using one of the seating for the rest of the day.
Dry Erase Dots
One of my biggest problems is having students work with whiteboards. We have whiteboards for math but they are huge. Having 5-6 kids in a small guided math group, the boards cannot fit at our table with us. Also, the time it takes to get the boards, make sure the markers work, and make space for everyone would also take away so much time from my actual lesson. This year I purchased Dry Erase dots from Amazon. I am so excited to use these items for the classroom this year. The dots adhere to the table so there is no set up each day. It also helps mark off each child’s space at our small group table. Students will be able to use their dry erase dot to solve math problems or write sight words. Even if we are not using the markers, they dots will help show students where their personal space is when sitting at our table.
In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, technology plays a crucial role in enhancing learning experiences. Microsoft Bing for Education stands out as a powerful tool that can revolutionize the way educators teach and students learn. This blog post will explore the features and benefits of Bing for Education, highlighting how it can boost productivity in the classroom and transform the educational journey.
Unlocking the Potential of Bing for Education
Bing for Education is more than just a search engine; it’s a comprehensive platform designed to support educators and students alike. Here are some key features that make it an invaluable resource in the classroom:
Ad-free search environment: Ensures students can focus on learning without distractions
Enhanced privacy: Protects student data and maintains a safe online learning space
Curated educational content: Provides access to high-quality, curriculum-aligned resources
Reading level filters: Allows teachers to tailor search results to students’ comprehension levels
Boosting Teacher Productivity with Bing for Education
Bing for Education offers several features that can significantly enhance teacher productivity:
Lesson planning tools: Access to a vast library of educational resources and lesson plan templates
Integrated Microsoft tools: Seamless integration with Microsoft 365 for efficient workflow management
Analytics and insights: Data-driven insights to help teachers track student progress and adjust teaching strategies
Classroom Applications of Bing for Education
Educators can leverage Bing for Education in various ways to create engaging learning experiences:
Virtual field trips: Explore the world through immersive 3D maps and street views
Research projects: Guide students in conducting safe, reliable online research
Interactive quizzes: Create and share quizzes using Bing’s integrated quiz maker
The Power of AI in Education
As we delve deeper into the capabilities of Bing for Education, it’s important to recognize the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in shaping the future of learning. AI-powered features in Bing for Education are transforming the way educators approach teaching and how students engage with information.
AI-Enhanced Search Capabilities
Bing for Education’s AI algorithms provide more accurate and relevant search results, helping students find the information they need quickly and efficiently. This not only saves time but also helps develop critical thinking skills as students learn to evaluate and synthesize information from various sources.
Personalized Learning Experiences
AI enables Bing for Education to adapt to individual student needs. As students use the platform, it learns their preferences and learning styles, offering tailored content recommendations and search results that align with their educational goals.
Language Support and Translation
For diverse classrooms, Bing for Education’s AI-powered translation features break down language barriers, allowing students to access information in their preferred language and fostering a more inclusive learning environment.
Integrating Bing for Education with Other Microsoft Tools
One of the strengths of Bing for Education is its seamless integration with other Microsoft educational tools. This integration creates a comprehensive ecosystem that supports various aspects of teaching and learning:
Microsoft Teams for Education
Combining Bing for Education with Microsoft Teams allows for collaborative research projects, where students can share and discuss their findings in real-time. Teachers can create assignments that utilize Bing’s search capabilities directly within Teams, streamlining the workflow for both educators and students.
OneNote Class Notebooks
Integrating Bing for Education with OneNote Class Notebooks enables students to easily insert research findings, images, and other content directly into their digital notebooks. This integration encourages organized note-taking and supports multimedia learning experiences.
Microsoft Forms
Educators can use Bing for Education in conjunction with Microsoft Forms to create interactive quizzes and surveys. The AI-powered search can help teachers find relevant questions and content to include in their assessments, ensuring that they are up-to-date and aligned with curriculum standards.
Are you looking for a simple and safe way to teach your students about internet search? Bing offers teachers and students ad-free search to help you create a distraction-free learning environment. In today\’s video, Jeff talks to Kristen and Ericka about the many ways they are engaging students in their classrooms using Bing.
Resources for Learning
About Our Guests
Kristen Messer is an educator with 21 years of experience in both primary and high school settings. She currently works at be.tech Career Academy in Manteca Unified School District where she helps CTE teachers to bring technology into their classes and offer support to students. She has served on the Superintendent’s Technology Action Committee and is a Tech Champion—a liaison between the district and school sites—for her school. Kristen is honored to be a Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert and an MIE Master Trainer. She enjoys spending time with her husband, Jason, and 2 daughters, Kailin and Kaicie.
Ericka Meadows has taught in the Manteca Unified School District for 20 years. Currently, she teaches second grade at Walter Woodward Elementary. Ericka is MIE trained and has offered staff development training on Surface Pro 2 and Bing in the Classroom. In addition, she has served on superintendent\’s Going Digital committee.
Professional Development Opportunities
To fully harness the potential of Bing for Education, Microsoft offers various professional development opportunities for educators:
Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) Program
The MIE program is designed to help educators develop their skills in using Microsoft technologies, including Bing for Education. By becoming a Microsoft Innovative Educator, teachers can access exclusive resources, training, and a global community of like-minded professionals.
Microsoft regularly offers webinars and online courses focused on Bing for Education and other educational tools. These sessions provide hands-on training and practical tips for implementing these technologies in the classroom.
Success Stories: Bing for Education in Action
Let’s look at some real-world examples of how educators are using Bing for Education to transform their teaching practices:
Case Study: Enhancing Research Skills
A high school history teacher in California used Bing for Education to guide students through a research project on the Civil Rights Movement. The teacher reported that the ad-free environment and curated content helped students stay focused and find reliable sources more easily. The reading level filters were particularly useful for differentiating instruction among students with varying reading abilities.
Case Study: Supporting STEM Education
A middle school science teacher in Texas utilized Bing for Education’s virtual field trips feature to take her students on a tour of the solar system. This immersive experience sparked students’ interest in astronomy and led to increased engagement in subsequent lessons on space science.
The Future of Education with Bing
As technology continues to evolve, so does Bing for Education. Microsoft is committed to enhancing the platform based on educator feedback and emerging educational trends. Some areas of future development may include:
Enhanced AI-powered tutoring capabilities
Improved accessibility features for students with diverse learning needs
Expanded virtual and augmented reality experiences for immersive learning
Getting Started with Bing for Education
For educators interested in implementing Bing for Education in their classrooms, here are some steps to get started:
Check with your school or district IT department to see if Bing for Education is already available in your institution.
If not, work with your administration to set up Bing for Education for your school or classroom.
Explore the available resources and training materials to familiarize yourself with the platform.
Start small by incorporating Bing for Education into one lesson or unit, then gradually expand its use as you become more comfortable with the tool.
Conclusion: Embracing the Future of Education
Microsoft Bing for Education is more than just a tool; it’s a gateway to a world of educational possibilities. By harnessing its features, educators can create more engaging, productive, and effective learning environments. As we continue to navigate the digital age, tools like Bing for Education will play a crucial role in preparing students for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.
Ready to take your teaching to the next level with Bing for Education? Sign up for our newsletter to receive regular updates, tips, and resources on leveraging technology in the classroom. Don’t miss out on the latest innovations in educational technology – subscribe today!
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Transact Campus Partners with Luxer One for Secure, Frictionless On-Campus Package Delivery
Transact Campus, “Transact,” the award-winning leader in innovative mobile credential and payment solutions, today announced a partnership with Luxer One, a premium manufacturer of package management systems and smart contactless lockers, owned by ASSA ABLOY, the global leader in access solutions. This partnership will deliver a turnkey solution for on-campus package delivery, including hardware, software, installation, service, support, and package delivery company facilitation.
The Luxer One partnership addresses campuses’ desire for a versatile and secure package delivery system, enhancing the student experience by providing a reliable, around-the-clock package pick-up service. Use cases beyond package management include laptop and lab equipment exchange, library holds, bag and personal item storage, and pickups from the student bookstore. In addition, the partnership includes configurable integration with Transact Campus ID solutions, enabling students to access lockers using their Transact Mobile Credential or physical credential.
“At Transact, we are committed to transforming the campus environment into a place where innovation thrives and the campus experience is seamlessly connected,” said Rasheed Behrooznia, SVP and General Manager, Campus ID Solutions, Transact. “Our partnership with Luxer One not only provides a superior, frictionless student experience, but also strengthens the security and connectivity between students and client facilities.”
Prior to the partnership with Luxer One, students were constrained by limited package pick-up hours and had to endure long lines, or risk their packages being left unattended. Luxer One significantly reduces costs associated with staffing a mail room for extended hours.
“This collaboration represents a significant milestone for Luxer One as we continue to innovate and enhance our offerings for valued customers. By joining forces with Transact, we are combining our expertise and resources to revolutionize the way universities manage packages, item exchange, library orders, and even temporary bag storage. Together, we will deliver unparalleled convenience, efficiency, and security as a full campus solution. We are excited about the endless possibilities this collaboration brings and look forward to the incredible advancements we will achieve together,” said Josh Middlebrook, President, Luxer One.
The partnership will provide a secure, convenient, package delivery solution on Transact-enabled campuses which reduces the burden on administrative staff and enables efficient management of daily operations. In addition to the primary benefit of a frictionless student experience, this union also provides secure package delivery assurance, and reduces costs for campuses.
Five years ago, when Esti Iturralde’s daughter was in the first grade, the little girl struggled with learning to read. The teacher told her mother not to worry, Winnie just wasn’t ready yet, but Iturralde knew in her heart something was wrong.
She blamed herself, until the pandemic hit, the schools shuttered, and remote learning gave her a chance to peek inside the classroom. What she saw opened her eyes and shocked her into action.
“It really wasn’t until the school closures that I began to understand what she was missing,” said the Piedmont mom of two. “I got to see up close what was wrong with the lessons.”
Five years after Covid shuttered schools, the parent empowerment it sparked is going strong. While the pandemic inexorably disrupted everyone’s lives, parents faced a double whammy. Amid heated debates over masks, vaccines and school shutdowns, many parents found themselves on the front lines of hot-button issues on an almost daily basis. In that time of crisis, some families lost trust in the ability of the schools to meet the needs of their students.
Like Iturralde, some came to the conclusion that they had to fend for themselves. That’s one reason the pandemic became a watershed moment for a generation of parents. It shifted the dynamics between communities and schools, and, for some families, shook their faith in the school system in a lasting way.
“When schools remained closed for far longer than any other institution or business,” said Scott Moore, head of Kidango, a nonprofit that runs many Bay Area child care centers, “this broke the social compact that schools are compulsory for children because it is a critical function of civil society. It left parents in the lurch.”
That rude awakening spurred some parents to question all aspects of their child’s education, from the length of school closures to how reading is taught and how parental notification policies should work. Parents from all over the ideological spectrum, from people of color fighting for equity to conservative parents upholding traditional values, began to push for change. That surge of parental empowerment may be one of the lasting impacts of the pandemic.
“Parent empowerment and engagement certainly reached a peak during Covid school closures,” said Megan Bacigalupi, co-founder of CA Parent Power, an advocacy group. “The academic, social and mental health harms done to kids by those lengthy closures kept many parents engaged in their districts long after they reopened. One of the silver linings is that parents got a window into the classroom.”
All sorts of school governance issues that had long been taken for granted came under intense scrutiny, sparking a shift in thinking about public education. Some families got fed up. Instead of waiting for the system to adapt to their needs, they took matters into their own hands.
The dawning realization that Winnie was being taught to read by looking primarily at pictures, instead of words, was a red flag for Iturralde, who has a doctorate in behavioral science.
Esti Iturralde and her daughter Winnie read “Harry Potter” together at home in the living room while their dog Roscoe hangs out in August 2022.Credit: Andrew Reed / EdSource
She decided to teach her kiddo to read at home, to see if she would bloom with more phonics, which she did. Winnie was soon reading above grade level. That showed Iturralde that sometimes you have to take charge of your child’s learning.
“Before, I was content to just trust and trust, and now I’m less trusting,” said Iturralde, who shared some of her lessons on YouTube to help other parents. “It’s like the curtain gets pulled away, and you see, all of a sudden, there’s no wizard out there.”
To be sure, Lakisha Young had long walked the do-it-yourself path, but the Covid era gave her new fire. She believes the pandemic merely highlighted the ways public education has always failed to meet the needs of low-income children of color. Nearly 70% of Oakland students failed to meet the standard for reading on the state’s Smarter Balanced test in 2023.
“Nobody is coming to save us,” said Young, the co-founder and CEO of Oakland REACH, a parent advocacy group. “The system is broken. Black and brown kids are typically already behind their white peers before they even get to kindergarten, and then those gaps just get bigger. The reality is, we keep seeing generation after generation failing. Somebody’s got to stop the bleeding.”
Young has worked with families where illiteracy has been passed down from one generation to the next, like an heirloom. She has tried to empower parents, to put families in the driver’s seat.
“We’re freeing our families from the system,” said Young. “We’re liberating them from the system. If a parent shows up, does her part or his part, their kid’s going to get what they need.”
During lockdown, Young connected families to everything from laptops and cash assistance to a virtual academy. Now REACH is a hub for parent and caregiver tutors, which they call “liberators,” who go into classrooms, teaching reading and math in partnership with Oakland Unified.
“These babies have to learn how to read and do math,” she said. “We have to empower families to make sure their kids don’t get left behind.”
Left to their own devices at the kitchen table, many in the dyslexia community also experienced the pandemic as a lightning rod.
“People were frustrated their children were not getting the services they deserved,” said Megan Potente, co-state director of Decoding Dyslexia CA, an advocacy group. “There was a lot of learning happening among parents, who may have left things up to school if it weren’t for the unprecedented times of the pandemic and heightened feelings of urgency associated with seeing your child struggle at home.”
Many parents first organized out of frustration with extended school closures, she said, but then parlayed that momentum to push for education reforms, such as evidenced-based reading instruction, amid the state’s deepening literacy crisis.
“California schools are failing at their core function: teaching,” said Moore. “How many decades of data — showing less than half of students achieving proficiency in language and math — are needed before big innovation occurs?”
Lakisha YoungCredit: Courtesy of Oakland Reach
Emboldened by having to step up in a crisis, many parents began to demand a voice. Parents Supporting Teachers (PST) in Los Angeles began as a Facebook group during the LAUSD teachers strike in 2019 but gained momentum during the pandemic as parents began asking questions about how the district uses its funding.
“It’s important that we parents have a seat at the table when it comes to our children’s education,” said Vicky Martinez, a mother of three Los Angeles Unified (LAUSD) students and member of PST. “We know our kids best. You empower yourself with knowledge and ask questions and do some research and don’t be afraid. We need to be a part of the process so we can support our kids.”
Many hope that parental empowerment will remain robust even as the Covid years recede into memory. They are optimistic that families will continue to push for more transparency about academic standards and practices in the wake of falling test scores and widening achievement gaps.
“People want a fair shake, for themselves and their children,” said Moore. “Education is seen as the main vehicle for upward economic and social mobility. Yet the reality is, California’s education system only does well for those born into privilege, and it fails most everyone else.”
Many parents will continue to play a more active role in the education of their children. Iturralde, like most parents, has “bad memories” of the pandemic years and struggling to get her daughter what she needed, but all that effort has paid off.
She used what she learned about the science of reading, from the need for phonics to the importance of background knowledge, to tutor her younger daughter, Lorea, as well. She now also coaches Winnie on math, a subject in which she is poised to skip ahead a year.
“What I try to advise parents to do is to take care of your kid and advocate for your kid, but also try to think about the community,” she said. “When I make a fuss about something, I’m doing it because I think there are other kids whose parents are not going to be able to help them. You’ve got to zoom out and think about the big picture.”
In a bustling city like Lucknow, education has always held a place of utmost importance. With increasing competition and high academic expectations, personalized learning solutions like home tutors in Lucknow have gained immense popularity. Whether it’s foundational learning for young children, mastering core concepts for board exams, or excelling in competitive exams, home tutoring remains a reliable solution.
Students and parents today seek subject-specific tutors who can tailor lessons according to their unique learning needs. Platforms like thetuitionteacher have emerged as the go-to solution for finding skilled tutors across a wide range of subjects. But which subjects are in demand the most in Lucknow? Let’s explore this further.
The Rise of Home Tutors in Lucknow
The education landscape in Lucknow has evolved dramatically in recent years. With large class sizes in schools and a lack of individualized attention, many parents now prefer home tutors for their children. Tutors not only help clarify concepts but also instill confidence in learners. The growing need for personalized teaching has made platforms like thetuitionteacher an essential resource for finding qualified educators.
Top Subjects in Demand for Home Tutors in Lucknow
Mathematics
Mathematics continues to top the list of subjects in demand for home tutors in Lucknow. Often viewed as one of the trickiest subjects, students across all classes seek assistance to strengthen their math skills. Whether it’s basic arithmetic for younger kids or advanced calculus for senior students, home tutors play a crucial role in simplifying concepts.
Key areas of demand include:
Arithmetic and algebra for Classes 6-8
Geometry and trigonometry for Classes 9-10
Calculus, matrices, and statistics for Classes 11-12
Science
The subject of science, especially for students in middle and high school, has always been a focal point for parents and educators. From understanding basic concepts in physics, chemistry, and biology to preparing for board exams, science tutors are highly sought after.
Students benefit from home tutors in science because they provide hands-on explanations, experiments, and conceptual clarity, which can be missing in crowded classrooms.
Popular Focus Areas:
Physics: Mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity
Chemistry: Organic and inorganic chemistry
Biology: Human anatomy, botany, and zoology
English
English has become another subject where students require specialized tutoring. With global opportunities expanding, mastering the English language is essential for academic and professional growth.
Home tutors help students improve their grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing skills. For senior students, tutors often focus on exam preparation, essay writing, and creative skills to meet syllabus requirements.
Key Skills in Demand:
Grammar and language basics for junior students
Writing skills: essays, letters, and reports
Advanced comprehension and analysis for higher classes
Social Studies
Subjects like history, geography, political science, and economics form the foundation of the school curriculum. Yet, many students struggle with the memorization and conceptual understanding required to excel in these subjects.
Home tutors for social studies focus on making these topics more engaging and relatable. By connecting textbook knowledge to real-world examples, tutors ensure students develop a keen interest in the subject.
Areas of Interest:
Indian history and world history
Civics and political science concepts
Geography: maps, physical geography, and environmental studies
Commerce and Economics
With growing aspirations for careers in finance, business, and management, subjects like commerce and economics are now highly sought after. Tutors help students understand theoretical and practical aspects, preparing them for both school-level exams and future career pathways.
High-Demand Topics:
Accountancy: Financial accounting, ledger entries
Economics: Microeconomics and macroeconomics
Business studies: Management principles, entrepreneurship
Computer Science
In today’s technology-driven world, computer science is a must-have skill for students. From basic computer literacy to advanced programming languages like Python, Java, and C++, home tutors for computer science are increasingly in demand in Lucknow.
Students preparing for competitive exams or pursuing advanced courses often require personalized guidance to strengthen their coding and technical skills.
Hindi and Sanskrit
Regional and traditional languages like Hindi and Sanskrit remain critical subjects for many students. While Hindi is part of the core syllabus across schools, Sanskrit is also studied as an optional language.
Home tutors for Hindi and Sanskrit focus on:
Grammar and vocabulary improvement
Poetry and prose comprehension
Exam-oriented writing and reading practice
Competitive Exam Preparation
The demand for home tutors is not limited to school subjects. With competitive exams like JEE, NEET, SSC, and IAS, students in Lucknow often need subject-matter experts to guide them. Tutors help aspirants with:
Structured study plans
Concept reinforcement and problem-solving
Mock tests and revision strategies
Platforms like thetuitionteacher connect students with experts specializing in these exams, ensuring focused preparation and better results.
Foreign Languages
Learning foreign languages like French, German, and Spanish has become increasingly popular among Lucknow’s students. Whether for academic reasons, career prospects, or cultural enrichment, the demand for foreign language tutors is steadily rising.
Why Foreign Language Tutors are in Demand:
Personalized speaking, reading, and writing practice
Exam preparation for international certifications
Career-focused language fluency
Primary School Subjects
For younger children, foundational learning in subjects like mathematics, science, and English is crucial. Parents often seek patient and skilled tutors who can provide a nurturing learning environment. Tutors for primary school students focus on:
Basic literacy and numeracy skills
Conceptual learning through activities
Homework assistance and regular practice
Why Choose thetuitionteacher for Home Tutors in Lucknow?
Experienced and Verified Tutors: thetuitionteacher ensures all tutors are qualified and experienced in their respective subjects.
Customized Learning Solutions: Personalized attention helps students improve their weak areas and build confidence.
Wide Range of Subjects: From school subjects to competitive exams, the platform caters to diverse learning needs.
Flexible Learning: Tutors provide lessons at convenient times, ensuring flexibility for both students and parents.
Affordable Options: Quality education doesn’t have to come at a steep price.
The Benefits of Home Tutoring for Students
Home tutoring has numerous advantages:
Individualized Attention: Students learn at their own pace without the pressure of a classroom environment.
Better Understanding: Tutors clarify doubts and reinforce concepts through customized methods.
Exam Preparation: Focused revision and test series ensure better exam results.
Confidence Building: Personalized guidance helps students gain confidence in their abilities.
thetuitionteacher – A Step Toward Academic Success
The increasing demand for home tutors in Lucknow reflects a growing awareness of quality education and personalized learning. With platforms like thetuitionteacher, finding the right tutor for any subject has become easier than ever. Whether it’s mastering math, excelling in science, or preparing for competitive exams, tutors provide the much-needed support for academic excellence.
Conclusion
The demand for home tutors in Lucknow is steadily rising as parents and students prioritize personalized education. Subjects like mathematics, science, and competitive exam preparation continue to dominate the list of requirements. Platforms like thetuitionteacher make it seamless to find qualified tutors who can cater to these needs. For students seeking academic success and skill mastery, home tutors provide an invaluable resource that bridges the gap between learning challenges and achievement.
Carol Burris, executive director of the Network for Public Education, and Johann Neem, a professor of history of education at Western Washington University, discussed the meaning and purpose of public schools in a forum organized by the History of Education Quarterly.
Why care about public schools? Why resist the “school choice” movement for charters and vouchers? Why stand up for public schools? Why do public schools matter?
Burris and Neem’s dialogue will answer your questions. It’s a well-informed discussion about why public schools are central to our democracy, not merely a consumer choice.
Our state has established high standards for English, math, science and history that lay out what students must know and be able to do. But, as I have argued before, California has failed to adequately ensure even a majority of local educators are trained on — and equipped to teach to the level expected by — these standards.
There are many reasons for this failure, but the state can provide more coherent and effective leadership.
Here’s the improvement I propose:
Currently, the state has one entity responsible for preparing and licensing teachers, the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). But once teachers receive their credential, responsibility for professional development and educator support falls to the districts and county offices of education where they work. With nearly 1,000 local school districts and county offices of education, there is no oversight of whether experienced teachers are prepared to implement state standards.
Some state entity needs to take charge, and overcome the current situation: no large-scale vision, too many small-scale, one-time initiatives, and fragmented programs and governance.
We need legislation that would empower the current California Commission on Teacher Credentialing to provide the needed overall leadership. Currently, the commission, whose members are appointed by the governor, sets teacher preparation standards and approves postsecondary teacher preparation programs that meet the standards. Also, the commission provides teacher performance assessments that prospective teachers must pass to attain a credential.
California is one of 10 states that has a state Department of Education and a separate agency — the Commission on Teacher Credentialing — overseeing teacher preparation and licenses. But we can take advantage of this division by increasing the CTC’s role. It makes no sense, given the conditions of education today, to force the commission to stop working with teachers and principals once they have their credential. Rather, it should also be responsible for a career continuum and a long-term educator learning system.
Legislation should specify that the commission will encompass the entire career of a principal, teacher and early childhood permit holder. It might make sense to start with early career teachers and scale up from there, because this would be a continuation of what it does now. The legislation should empower the commission to support professional development across the spectrum, from candidates working toward a credential to experienced senior teachers, principals, instructional coaches, and other leaders.
Of course, this needs to be done carefully and deliberately. The kinds of things we want to get right require the teacher commission to work closely with school districts and county offices of education.
CTC should start with a strategic plan and road map reaching teachers statewide to signal that building educators’ skills is a major state role and responsibility. The road map would include the many moving parts that must be integrated into subject matter teaching. This includes key suppliers of products, curriculum developers, textbook publishers, universities, county offices and much more. The role of school districts must be rethought, including how to develop teaching capacity within districts and rely less on vendors that come and go.
The plan would create micro-credentials or other forms of state recognition of teaching competence in current state subject matter frameworks, such as the new math framework. Some districts in California have already been experimenting with micro-credentials. Other states such as Mississippi and New York have used micro-credentials to enhance pupil outcomes. The plan should include integration of current fragmented state-funded capacity grants. The commission would lead a project to estimate the costs of implementing the proposed state and local capacity-building role, including analyses of cost-effectiveness, such as using digital professional development delivery.
California has high academic standards and a talented teaching force. With effective statewide leadership and oversight, we can address persistent achievement gaps and help our students succeed.
The opinions expressed in this commentary represent those of the author. EdSource welcomes commentaries representing diverse points of view. If you would like to submit a commentary, please review our guidelines and contact us.
One of my biggest problems is having students work with whiteboards. We have whiteboards for math but they are huge. Having 5-6 kids in a small 
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