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The Effects of ACEs on Learning What are ACEs? Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are any instances of abuse, neglect, or trauma experienced by a minor (Center for Disease Control 2019). Examples of ACEs are health problems, divorce, sexual and physical abuse, and emotional and physical neglect (Jarvis, 2018). A study of 17,000 participants found that 64% of people had one ACE and 12.4% had four or more (The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 2013). Furthermore, children with at least one confirmed ACE probably have more than one ACE(Mersky, Topitzes, & Reynolds, 2013).  ACEs can have a major impact on a student's ability to learn. Research shows that higher dropout rates, low academic achievement, and lower school engagement are more common with students with ACEs. Shockingly, students with three or more ACEs…

8 Famous Black Mathematicians and Their Contributions Happy Juneteenth! On June 19, 1865, enslaved African Americans in Galveston Bay, TX were notified that they, along with the more than 250,000 other enslaved black people in the state, were free by executive decree. The contributions of African Americans throughout our nation’s history are numerous and significant. Today, we want to highlight and celebrate the Black mathematicians who have greatly impacted our nation and the future of mathematics. Benjamin Banneker (1731-1806) Benjamin Banneker was a primarily self-educated mathematician and astronomer. He is best known for building America's first clock at the age of 24 - a wooden device that struck hourly. He also was able to accurately forecast lunar and solar eclipses. Banner's deep curiosity and understanding of mathematics greatly paved the way years before…

The Importance of Parental Engagement And what it really means. Joining the PTA, chaperoning field trips, and running school bake sales can come to mind when picturing parental engagement. But is that what parental engagement is really about? Not necessarily. These types of activities are parental involvement. They are incredibly important for supporting the school, teachers, and students’ attitudes about education. Parental engagement, on the other hand, has the potential to deepen the trust that you are invested in your child’s education and also improve their educational achievement [1]. Parental engagement is defined as “parents and teachers sharing a responsibility to help their children learn and meet educational goals” [2]. Parents can help by assisting with homework and encouraging fun, educational activities during a child’s free time [1]. To put in…

6 Ways to Thank a Teacher This Week This year, Teacher Appreciation Week looks a little different. With schools closed nationwide and online alternatives to education becoming the current teaching method, everyone has had to adjust tremendously. Parents, students, and especially teachers, have had to adjust quickly to a type of schooling that most have never experienced before. Teachers deserve to be appreciated every day. Right now, they are navigating unknown and challenging circumstances and we are blown away by their resilience. Here are six ways to thank your child's teacher this week: Record a video message of you and your child, thanking the teacher for all that they have done.  Let your child design a digital card or color a picture that shares their appreciation for their teacher and all…