Bill Hoatson
Tallahassee Democrat
Contact Bill
Discover and connect with journalists and influencers around the world, save time on email research, monitor the news, and more.
| Recent: |
|
| Past: |
|
Past articles by Bill:
Things every parent should know about teaching
If a child is trying their hardest, that is all you can ask of a child. It doesn’t matter if they don’t “get it” yet. → Read More
A child's point of view can be enlightening
I have found out that understanding a child’s point of view is often the key to teaching. → Read More
Early positive experiences are key for a successful school year
Now that the school year is starting, it is imperative that children have academic success experiences early and frequently. → Read More
Teachers and parents can built trust as school year starts
If a positive relationship is established between the teacher and the parents, the family may actually listen to advice from the teacher. → Read More
Give kids the tools to become successful adults
The experience of learning how to use tools properly is as valuable a set of information in its own way as many other things learned in school. → Read More
Let children stay up late and chart the stars
The phone is OK because it has an app called “sky map” where you simply aim the phone at the stars and it will identify the constellations and planets. → Read More
Introduce children to the magic of making music
Having control over a musical instrument is empowering and that sense of empowerment and competence spills over into other areas in a child’s life. → Read More
Launch into summer reading adventure
If reading becomes a habit, it will stick, because reading is such an enjoyable exercise for the brain. → Read More
As schools celebrate success, time to rethink failure
There are several reasons why you don’t want a child to regard him/herself as a failure. → Read More
Focus on details helps brain development
Training the brain to purposely look for and notice small details will pay huge dividends in school later on in many different ways. → Read More
Children with a purpose are happier children
Children have to be given the mental and character tools to draw on when the going gets tough, so that they are resilient enough to stay and get an education. → Read More
Purposeful testing is a tool to get students on track
The proper use of testing is a tricky business and the improper use of testing is rampant and can send a teacher’s best intentions at instruction off the rails. → Read More
Seize the teachable moments
Lesson plans and testing have their place, but they should not be driving the train → Read More
Schools can play a part in dance education
The closer it is examined, the more one realizes the advantages that having dancing education as a part of the weekly educational curriculum. → Read More
Focus on gift of reading during holiday break
When reading before bedtime becomes a natural part of a child’s life, it sets off a natural chain of events that will lead to independent reading. → Read More
How is the teacher doing?
Though given almost no attention by most school systems, a teacher’s emotional make-up and frame of mind are critical to the success or failure of a classroom. → Read More
Critical thinking should be key part of curriculum
Schools need to provide training in critical thinking from pre-K on up so that upon graduation each child has the ability to face the challenges of the day. → Read More
Children's emotional growth needs fostering
Schools are missing out on an important aspect of being a functional adult – the emotional growth of a child. → Read More
Bring back industrial arts classes
There are probably a dozen good reasons for industrial arts to be covered in a school curriculum including boys and girls of all ages → Read More
Reading and testing outcomes entwined
What if the student, no matter the age, can’t read very well? → Read More