With more schools announcing  virtual-only learning for the fall , parents, students, and teachers alike are wondering what the long-term academic effect will be on students. I can’t tell you, but here’s what I know: there are few things more beneficial for the human psyche than a good book. We’ve probably all heard someone say, “That book changed my life,” but there are also studies showing it may  slow cognitive decline ,  help you live longer ,  reduce stress levels ,  imp

Well, hello! After a week off for the 4th of July, I returned to find that my local school district announced some big changes for the fall.  People are being asked to decide whether they want  100% in-person  or  100% virtual  schooling. To be honest, I don’t know if I’d be comfortable with either of these options.  Has your school made any announcements yet? In episode 31 of the Vocabbett podcast, I discuss how I fear our education system is following in the footsteps of th

“Wow, that’s really manly of you, to be such a good person!” – Ancient Romans As we continue our study of etymology, it may amuse (annoy?...

“Bat shi*t,” repeated Salima Ikram, the queen of Egyptology, in her posh British accent to her hyperventilating students.  

There’s an old quote that the world is a book, and those who don’t travel read only one page. I quite agree, but I have my own little spin on it—that those who don’t read live only one life.  I can’t imagine how much less rich my life would be if I’d only lived in this time and space. Because of books, I feel like I’ve gotten to live in Henry VIII’s court, been chased by lions in the Colosseum, the list goes on…! I recently read an excellent summer reading book called Salt t

I wanted to be in her bed, but I ended up in her walls instead. 6-foot thick monstrosities built to withstand the most fortified...

“On my count, and…go.” Clad entirely in black, from her headband to her yoga pants, Karen scrabbled over the fence into her neighbors’...

In  the last episode  of the Vocabbett podcast, I suggested that a more autonomous trend might emerge in education in a post-COVID-19 world.  That episode largely spoke to parents and students. In this bonus episode, I want to speak to  educators  about how we can make changes to the existing framework to better respect and nurture the students in our care.  Are you an educator who doesn’t want to walk away from the existing system, but knows that changes need to be made? Her

With summer finally upon us, it’s only natural that people have begun to ask what school will look like when (if?) we return in the fall. Though a number of  recurring themes have emerged  (outdoor learning, family-style dining, more virtual learning), I have to admit…I’ve been disappointed not to see more innovative paths forward being proposed.  On episode 23 of the Vocabbett podcast, I share an idea for a new model that might gain traction in a post-COVID world. And to be