A shy student who wrote a word problem to share with teacher Matthew Vogel prompted Vogel to have all students create their own word problems. Teachers can guide students through modeling, offer guidelines and encourage collaboration, and students can think deeply about mathematical concepts, devise real-world scenarios and present their problems to peers. Vogel, who spent 22 years as an elementary and secondary special education teacher, also advises meeting one-on-one with students during this process to assess comprehension.

Systemic issues -- such as shifting expectations, unclear directives and the absence of proactive support --  are more draining than interactions with students, according to a handful of teachers columnist Larry Ferlazzo asked. Collaboration, transparency, inclusion in decision-making, meaningful feedback and self-care are crucial to educators' well-being, and teachers call on school leaders to foster a supportive environment by prioritizing teacher agency and mental health.

The five finalists for the 2026 National Teacher of the Year award -- Katie Collins, Rachel Kinsaul, Michelle Gross, Linda Wallenberg and Leon Smith -- focus on community and place-based education in their teaching. Their innovative projects range from hydroponics and floral businesses to integrating real-world math applications and exploring diverse historical perspectives.

As New York City and other districts replace traditional snow days with virtual instruction, the shift has raised questions about the effectiveness of remote learning during inclement weather. Teachers like Kate Gutwillig report that only about 70% of students log in for virtual snow days, and many remain disengaged by keeping cameras off.

Teachers in the San Diego Unified School District plan to strike for the first time in 30 years, citing inadequate staffing and services in special education. The San Diego Education Association says the district is not meeting its own standard of 20 students per special-education teacher, leading to overworked teachers and insufficient support for students with disabilities. The district plans to close schools during the strike and offers compensation classes, while noting that 97% of special-education positions are filled.

Louisiana will require at least one camera in each self-contained special education classroom starting Sunday. Schools in the New Orleans area are preparing to comply with the law, aimed at increasing transparency following abuse allegations in special education settings. However, questions remain about who will monitor the footage, and some parents express concerns about privacy and the effectiveness of surveillance compared with better teacher training.