When we look back at the K-12 stories that resonated with readers last year, one trend quickly emerges. 2024 was the year of the personal essay.
The columnists and EdSurge Voices of Change fellows clearly captivated the audience with their insights, both technical and emotional. They shared their thoughts on innovations in math and social-emotional learning. They shared their first-hand experiences with racism in the workplace. Our top posts throughout the year were vulnerable essays about an administrator’s leadership failures and how he made things right.
There were also highly read articles about how educators and school systems are grappling with rapid change. How to ensure that historically disadvantaged students have equitable access to algebra, and how to keep up with new technology standards that support students with disabilities. And of course, readers were eager to hear about how artificial intelligence is changing classroom dynamics.
But overall, EdSurge articles that focused on the experiences of educators and wanted more connections resonated with readers throughout the year.
Discover the most popular K-12 stories of 2024.
nicola hodkowski
Researcher Nicola Hodkowski advocates for promoting a deep understanding of mathematical concepts rather than having students memorize the process of doing mathematics. Although this is not an easy task, she offers several strategies educators can use to ensure concepts stick. This approach results in increased student confidence, increased ability to apply mathematics in the real world, and success in more advanced mathematics classes.
Written by Sarah Wright and Mi Anyevna
When Black women educators came together as part of the EdSurge research project, they shared similar experiences with trauma, work-life balance, racism, and stress. School administrator Sarah Wright shares her thoughts on a trauma-informed approach to leadership.
Jessica Kato
Gen Alpha has a number of features that differentiate it from its predecessor. They are the first generation of children born in the 21st century to be connected to the digital realm almost from birth, and the oldest of them were at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Then I was only 10 years old. Teacher coach Jessica Kato shows educators how to capitalize on and leverage the strengths of Generation Alpha.
Written by Daniel Mollenkamp
California made a controversial policy decision last year, adopting a new math framework that recommends students wait until ninth grade to begin studying algebra. The goal was to standardize and make access to algebra, the “gateway” to more advanced math classes, more equitable.
Written by Daniel Mollenkamp
In April, the U.S. Department of Justice expanded the Americans with Disabilities Act to include technology standards for public schools, colleges, and universities. This change was aimed at removing the burden students with disabilities face when accessing digital content. The onus is now on schools to ensure they purchase accessible materials, and a two-year deadline is fast approaching.
Written by Katie Wills Evans
As the world continues to rapidly change as high school students graduate, teacher Katie Will Evans says the requirements for graduation remain the same, leaving students feeling anxious and unprepared for the transition to adulthood. I am aware of this. She argues for the need to evolve graduation requirements in light of the fact that the multiple-choice questions and writing prompts on standardized tests have little bearing on students’ lives and ability to thrive after high school.
Clementina Jose
For Black and Latino students who have faced adversity, SEL professional development opportunities are often disconnected from real life, explains social worker Clemencia Jose in an essay . She offers ideas for supporting students, regardless of their background or experience, including the power of listening rather than imposing solutions.
Written by Jeffrey R. Young
For better or worse, ChatGPT and its artificial intelligence brethren seem to be disrupting educational norms at almost every turn. OpenAI has once again opened the dam of change by making its version of ChatGPT free for everyone and immediately available to any student with an internet connection. Therefore, education experts have had to strategize how teachers can use AI to their advantage.
Written by Michael Paul Ida
Teacher Michael Paul Ida says that during professional development seminars, he is often the only Asian American educator in the classroom and feels the need to speak about the experiences of students and other educators in the community. I feel a lot of pressure on my shoulders. In a personal essay, he describes the emotional toll of feeling invisible and why non-Asian colleagues should listen for the sake of their Asian American colleagues and students. I’m doing it.
Written by Damen Scott
As a principal, Damen Scott worked hard to make his staff feel respected and empowered, but stressful days led to hurtful interactions with colleagues. In the process, my confidence as a leader was shaken. Scott writes about his own experiences with accountability and rebuilding trust, and the power of listening.
