A retired EFL/ESL teacher, my specialty and hobby is sharing my ideas on the English tense system, etc. I share them on YouTube letlearn2008, Howat Labrum, and
Greater Vancouver
Joined October 2015
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Howat labrum retweeted
My daughter came home from school today and immediately asked if it is rude to correct a new teacher if the information she is teaching the class is wrong.
I told her it’s important that the students have the CORRECT information and that all teachers should have enough content knowledge to teach their subject and the curriculum expectations.
This new teacher was unsure of the differences between symbiotic and asymbiotic relationships (a little knowledge of morphology would have helped prevent that confusion!)
Since the class has a test next week, my daughter felt it was important for the class have the correct information. So she clarified the definitions for the teacher who had the definitions reversed.
My point is, our education system has NOT prioritized content knowledge for so many years- instead focusing on skills alone- that we now have teachers going into the teaching profession without the knowledge they need to teach the content!! This is exactly when teachers start to rely on an “inquiry-based approach” because it’s easier to ask students to figure it out themselves than to teach what they don’t know.
Direct instruction is key to learning- but for direct instruction to be effective, we also need knowledgeable teachers!! @KnowledgeMatrs @natwexler @nsachdeva2019 @New_Old_Paul
Howat labrum retweeted
Today, I had the opportunity to work with educators on the Science of Writing- but with a twist.✍️
Using the classic picture book Stellaluna by Janell Cannon, I modelled how a single read-aloud can become the anchor for explicit, systematic writing instruction.
✏️ Writing doesn’t happen in isolation.
Students need to be explicitly taught HOW to write but they also need something meaningful to write ABOUT.
That means building content knowledge, vocabulary, oral language, sentence structure, and reading comprehension alongside writing skills.
Rather than asking students to write about whatever comes to mind, we can provide a shared, knowledge-rich foundation that allows ALL students to participate in increasingly sophisticated writing tasks.
And the best part? We don’t need another program, another resource, or another hour in the school day.
We need to be more intentional about what we teach….and what we can let go of.
Because reading, writing, and language development aren’t separate subjects. They’re interconnected processes that strengthen one another.
And if we want teachers to implement evidence-informed instruction, we need to show them not only WHAT to do, but HOW to do it- and what they can STOP doing to make time for it.
What’s one writing practice you’ve stopped doing to make more time for explicit instruction? 👇 @SagonaskaLD @Janell_cannon1
#ScienceOfWriting #StructuredLiteracy #WritingInstruction #ScienceOfReading #TeacherProfessionalLearning
Howat labrum retweeted
Highlights of researchED Toronto: Our video captures perfectly the buzz and vitality of our biggest conference, featuring star attractions and engaging teacher-led sessions. Congratulations to @nsachdeva2019 and her entire team.
Thanks for sharing.
BIG NEWS! 📣
VIU has officially announced its NEW Elementary Literacy Foundations for Practicing Teachers micro-credential, and I’m thrilled to be teaching it beginning in January 2027!
Here’s why this new micro-credential matters so much:
We keep asking teachers to implement evidence-based literacy instruction, but are we investing enough in helping them develop the knowledge and skills to actually DO it?
Teachers can’t teach what they haven’t been taught.
And another literacy program isn’t a substitute for teacher knowledge.
This course is about changing that.
We’ll dig into the science of reading AND writing, explore explicit and systematic instruction, learn how to use screening data to inform instruction, and examine what teachers can STOP doing to make more time for what works.
And you know me- I don’t just tell teachers what to do. I SHOW them!
Expect practical examples, classroom demonstrations, evidence-based routines, and strategies you can put into practice with your students right away.
Because professional learning shouldn’t just change what teachers KNOW.
It should change what teachers DO.
📚 Fully online
📅 Starting January 2027
🎓 University micro-credential for practicing teachers
I’m incredibly excited to be part of this opportunity to strengthen teacher knowledge, build instructional capacity, and ultimately improve literacy outcomes for students.
Would you be interested in taking a university course that focuses on the science of reading AND what it actually looks like in the classroom? Link for more info in the comments! @VIUniversity @AnaVieira21C @VIUProvost
#ScienceOfReading #StructuredLiteracy #LiteracyInstruction #TeacherTraining #EvidenceBasedTeaching #VancouverIslandUniversity
Howat labrum retweeted
BIG NEWS! 📣
VIU has officially announced its NEW Elementary Literacy Foundations for Practicing Teachers micro-credential, and I’m thrilled to be teaching it beginning in January 2027!
Here’s why this new micro-credential matters so much:
We keep asking teachers to implement evidence-based literacy instruction, but are we investing enough in helping them develop the knowledge and skills to actually DO it?
Teachers can’t teach what they haven’t been taught.
And another literacy program isn’t a substitute for teacher knowledge.
This course is about changing that.
We’ll dig into the science of reading AND writing, explore explicit and systematic instruction, learn how to use screening data to inform instruction, and examine what teachers can STOP doing to make more time for what works.
And you know me- I don’t just tell teachers what to do. I SHOW them!
Expect practical examples, classroom demonstrations, evidence-based routines, and strategies you can put into practice with your students right away.
Because professional learning shouldn’t just change what teachers KNOW.
It should change what teachers DO.
📚 Fully online
📅 Starting January 2027
🎓 University micro-credential for practicing teachers
I’m incredibly excited to be part of this opportunity to strengthen teacher knowledge, build instructional capacity, and ultimately improve literacy outcomes for students.
Would you be interested in taking a university course that focuses on the science of reading AND what it actually looks like in the classroom? Link for more info in the comments! @VIUniversity @AnaVieira21C @VIUProvost
#ScienceOfReading #StructuredLiteracy #LiteracyInstruction #TeacherTraining #EvidenceBasedTeaching #VancouverIslandUniversity
Howat labrum retweeted
In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the significance of basic statistical methods and how R can be your trusted companion in unlocking the secrets hidden in data. pyoflife.com/understanding-a…
#DataScience #RStats #DataAnalytics #MachineLearning #datascientists #dataviz
Howat labrum retweeted
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🔸️ Know Yourself → Recognize your emotions and how they influence your decisions.
🔸️ Manage Your Reactions → Stay calm and thoughtful, especially under pressure.
🔸️ Understand Your People → Recognize different emotions, needs, and perspectives.
🔸️ Listen with Empathy → Make people feel heard, respected, and valued.
🔸️ Communicate with Care → Deliver difficult messages with clarity and respect.
🔸️ Handle Conflict Constructively → Focus on understanding and solutions, not blame.
🔸️ Build Trust → Be consistent, approachable, and emotionally aware.
🔸️ Lead with Self-Awareness → Recognize your impact on the people around you.
Strong leaders don't just manage performance. They understand the people behind it. 💪
📩 Free Guide: Master the 12 soft skills that drive success—and start applying them today. 🚀
👉 Get your free copy:
betteryoubrief.substack.com/…
#EmotionalIntelligence #Leadership #PeopleManagement
