Features

“Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone.” These lyrics from the song Big Yellow Taxi, written by legendary singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell, sound a warning about the delicate nature of the environment. And this is a warning that park managers throughout the United States have taken note of as they try to balance the protection of the natural resources found at park sites with the need to ensure equitable and inclusive public access to these spaces.

It is that time of year when family and friends gather to celebrate and spread some holiday cheer. But coming on the heels of what has been an exceptionally long and contentious general election, tensions around the holiday dinner table may be higher than usual with many people continuing to hold strong opinions on politics.

A welcoming and inclusive school environment that promotes learning is one where students not only feel physically safe, but one where they feel emotionally safe. School leaders are challenged with implementing appropriate security measures that will keep students safe without making the school feel oppressive.

The science of reading tells us a lot about the cognitive processes by which children learn to read. After all, it is based on a collection of evidence-based scientific research that spans decades of academic study in education, developmental psychology, cognitive psychology, linguistics, neuroscience, and speech-language development.

The power of celebrity—it can work its magic in places beyond the Red Carpet. In fact, sometimes it can be at a football game, basketball game, tennis match, or other competitive event. When megastars of music, film, or television are spotted in the stands or courtside as spectators at a game, it generates a lot of excitement and media coverage.

When it comes to sports, there has been a glass ceiling in place resulting in female athletes being treated differently from their male counterparts. Whether it involves financial compensation, media coverage, or access to quality sports facilities and coaching, women in sports—even those who easily rank among the finest athletes in the world—face many challenges during their career in trying to break through that glass ceiling.

You may have heard the term “TMI.” It is slang for “too much information” and is often used in social media or chat messages when responding to someone who discloses more personal details about themselves than they should. But if you are using the internet to research a topic for work, school, or simply because you are interested in it, you may come down with a case of TMI or information overload.

“Sometimes You Can’t Make It on Your Own.” That is the title of a song by Irish rock band U2. It is also the reason many people, at some point in their lives, decide to seek out the services of a licensed, trained counseling professional.

It seems like every day news of another act of violence or a disaster floods the news making it difficult, if not impossible, for parents to isolate their children from hearing about these events. This constant flow of negative news can have a damaging effect on the emotional wellbeing of a child making them feel anxious, fearful, or depressed.

Many workplaces have employees who are “behind the scenes.” They may not have a public-facing role, but what these employees do is invaluable in helping others do their jobs effectively. They are the “unsung heroes” of the workplace. Similarly, schools have many “behind the scenes” employees who keep things running smoothly and that classroom teachers rely on.