Dr. DeWitt-Give us Liberty

03/06/2026

Thoughts?

A proposed bill would ban preschool and kindergarten students from individual-use screens while on public school grounds. FULL STORY: bit.ly/46GCnVo

03/06/2026

North Dakota special education teachers and paraprofessionals are reporting burnout, citing increased workload, safety concerns and low pay, according to a survey presented to lawmakers this week.

03/06/2026

Recently learned that ND has chosen to purchase a new platform for identifying math struggles and student gaps. Is this their strategy for addressing low math scores? Meanwhile, our focus is on providing teachers with new strategies in the science of math to enhance scores. Technology serves as a tool, not a teacher. Investing in human capital is where meaningful change will occur.

02/24/2023

Tell me why ambition is a negative attribute in the professional field?

09/30/2021

What do you believe is more appropriate from an administrator that observes (2 minute walk through) to send an email highlighting negatives based on assumption or to send an email with assistance? For instance,
"You were not using research based worksheets with the students and doing whole group instruction"
Or
"I noticed the work sheet you were using. Was is research based? If not, could I help you with finding some research based activities to assist your instruction in small groups?"

Personally, through my education in higher education administration and educational leadership the best form of leadership is servant leadership. Putting yourself in the shoes of your educators and finding ways to help rather than simply putting assumptions and negative notes on a very brief email would be much more appropriate. Also, is this what the administrators are being taught in school systems? I am curious, has this happened to you?
Also would like to note, this is not me in this situation but a coworker who confided in me.

09/25/2021

Recently I had a conversation with another educator about technology with children and how virtual schooling and the large push to include technology in every subject area is altering students socially. We discussed how we are "encouraged" to do online learning in every area of learning to meet at least 45 minutes in reading and math, plus practicing using our online format in the case of switching back to virtual schooling as a possibility, not including other apps that are encouraged for reading levels and how all of these devices are changing how students lose vital skills.

Students are now less patient with activities because on their devices they can just switch the the next slide or page. Students can't find a page in a workbook because, what is that? They have trouble reading and listening to directions because online they can hit a button and have it read to them or click on every option until they get a green check or some balloons show up when they finally chose right. Talking to one another and solving conflicts are difficult. They cannot turn each other off or hit the pause button.

Don't get me wrong, they must understand how to use technology and understand how it can help with future projects and careers, but are we starting with young learners a little more than we should? Their state exams are on their tablets for crying out loud. Their weekly assessments, however, which conclude their overall school grades are ll paper and pencil.

Can we truly blame them for not knowing how to do multiple choice when we as a school are also pushing them not to know how to take these by forcing so many apps and games on them through their learning? Of course they aren't performing well on their weekly quizzes! They are waiting for stars to shine or an automatic response to each answer choice they color in!

We need to find an equal balance. Include technology, of course, but let's focus on thinking skills and problem solving before pushing an extensive amount of online learning on little minds that need to be molded for real life scenarios.

Maybe our children do not have adhd or add, maybe they don't need medication to focus. Maybe they need to just learn basic human social skills by being social and not into a screen that they can skip, have things done for them, have answers highlighted for them, and understand consequences to their actions.

09/22/2021

Like many educators, we chose a calling to teach children and see them grow and be a part of that growth. What educators did not sign up for was living pay check to pay check despite investing tens of thousands of dollars into education, jumping through state hoops to be certified after graduating, paying hundreds (thousands for some) in test costs and application fees, time away from family for your family without pay, a never ending to do list of extra duties, taking on extra responsibilities for positive observations that require more time without pay, and an extreme lack of support from community and parents. If you ever wonder why teacher burnout exists and why many don't stay even if they made a lasting impression on children, just ask one. They could give you a large large list of what breaks them down every day.

The time is now to make a change and make an effort for our future leaders. Without taking a stand for those that are responsible in educating them, what are you doing?

08/27/2021

As a parent my job is to raise my children to be free thinkers. If you don't believe in something, don't. I won't force you to be anything you don't want to be. I won't force you to wear a mask if you don't want to. I won't force you to get a shot you don't want to. I won't force you to go to college if that isn't your calling. I will encourage you to follow your passion. I will encourage you to be the best you you can be. I will encourage you to respect your peers and your elders as you don't know their life away from what you see for the small amount of time you speak with them. I will encourage you to be healthy and live a life full of memories and joy because when you grow up, everyone will try to tell you what to do with your body, with your hair, with your career, and with your relationships.

08/26/2021

Government shall not infringe on personal matter in the home nor with anything to do of your actual body!

08/26/2021

08/26/2021

I know my goals. I don't know how I'll get there..but I'll do it just like I have done everything else I said I would do. People laugh. People roll their eyes. People talk poorly. People are two-faced. People hate you for your success. But I am not people.