Quick Search

Advanced Search

Advertise Here?

advertise here? Editor@EdNews.org

Steven W. Simpson, Ph.D. Columnist EdNews.org

Steven W. Simpson, Ph.D. is President of Simpson Communications. Dr. Simpson worked for nine years as a public high school language arts and journalism teacher in Washington State. He taught business communications and writing courses for the University of Phoenix, has developed and managed several Web site projects and works as a Communications Consultant, Writer, Editor and Web Development Manager. Dr. Simpson served as an elected member of the Snoqualmie Valley School District Board of Directors. He completed his undergraduate degree at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. His Continuing K-12 teaching certificate is from the University of Puget Sound. Dr. Simpson holds two graduate degrees from the University of Washington School of Communications. His M.A. is on high school press law, and his Ph.D. is a comparative study of constitutional protection for freedom of expression in Canada and the United States.

Content Posted by Steven W. Simpson, Ph.D. Columnist EdNews.org

Teach or Manage Behavior? The Eternal Struggle

By Steven W. Simpson, Ph.D.
Columnist EdNews.org
Back when I was really young and really dumb, I did something that to this day makes me shake my head in wonder. We have all done silly things in a classroom, but this was a doozy. I think about it now and my face burns with embarrassment. I am only telling you about this because I still struggle with the same problem. Do we teach or do we manage behavior?

Just Another Day at the Office

By Steven W. Simpson, Ph.D.
Columnist EdNews.org
Friday afternoon I sat in my room and watched as teachers straggled out, one by one, exhausted, heads bowed, quietly driving off in their cars. As the parking lot grew empty, my heart filled up. If we told people what we really did for a living, they would not believe it. Sometimes I don’t believe it.

Do You Question Your Value? Read This

By Steven W. Simpson, Ph.D.
Columnist EdNews.org
Have you seen those cartoons with someone on a tiny island out in the middle of the ocean looking at a sign that says, "You are here"? The joke, of course, is that there is no need for a sign. It is painfully obvious that the person is there, on that tiny island in the middle of the ocean.

Never Underestimate Your Students, Redux

By Steven W. Simpson, Ph.D.
Guest Columnist EdNews.org
I hate writing this kind of column, but fair is fair. Readers have a right to know about my mistakes, as well as the stories that make me appear to know what I am doing. The last time I wrote one of these "how could I be so stupid" columns was after a Shakespeare unit in which, to my surprise, my special education students became wildly excited and deeply involved. I underestimated them then, and it happened again this week. How many times do kids have to astonish me before I get it?

Standardized Foolishness: Larry, Moe and Curly Test the Kids

By Steven W. Simpson, Ph.D.
Guest Columnist EdNews.org
I am warning you in advance; this is my annual standardized test madness column. I actually like and support standardized tests. I have no problem with people being required to demonstrate competence. My problem, and an almost endless source of bewilderment, is how educational and legislative authorities manage to take a good idea and turn it into something so bizarre.

A Funny Story I Did Not Make Up

By Steven W. Simpson, Ph.D.
Guest Columnist EdNews.org
This job is so weird that it is impossible to explain it to normal people. Really, the things that happen make you wonder if the Greeks and Romans had it right. Maybe the gods really are sitting up there amusing themselves by making bizarre things happen to teachers. It would not surprise me, at least not after what happened last week.

Thinking About

By Steven W. Simpson, Ph.D.
Guest Columnist EdNews.org
Normally, I write this column on Saturday. I am running a little late this weekend because our 17 month old granddaughter spent the night. Instead of typing, I spent my time listening to and watching this child, her mother and my wife. Three generations of women with big eyes and big brains. As I sat quietly watching the show, I suddenly realized that my wife and daughter were having a conversation I hear almost every week as a special education teacher.

Taking Care of Teachers, One Problem at a Time

By Steven W. Simpson, Ph.D. Guest Columnist EdNews.org
Last spring my mother died. I learned about my mother’s impending death in a telephone call from my sister in the middle of teaching a class. As everyone knows who has lost a loved one, few things in life are as painful and disabling. I couldn’t think. I couldn’t talk. All I could do was lean against the wall in the faculty room and cry. Lucky for me I am a teacher. One of the best things about living and working in that world is the people you spend your life with.

Teaching Siddhartha, Questioning Teaching

By Steven W. Simpson, Ph.D.
I have been teaching a unit on the book Siddhartha , about the life of a young Brahmin. Siddhartha is a scholar, a seeker of wisdom and of his own soul.

When Kids Blow Up

By Steven W. Simpson, Ph.D.
We have all been there- racing heart, trembling hands, that numb feeling like in a dream when you try to move and can't.

Subscribe via RSS

Editor's Choice

Sign up for our Free Daily Email Newsletter

> Healthcare Education Information

> Learn a foreign language

> All You Need To Know About Visa to Learn French France

> Online College Degree - Information and tips on online degrees

earn my degree

> do-it-all-janitorialservices.com

> Haberman Foundation and Harvard Graduate School of Education complete a Collaborative Effort

> CampusExplorer.com Search for colleges

> Review and compare the best trade schools in your area.

> NACAC.net National Association for Admissions Counseling

> Students.gov Link resources for students