Summary: <a href="https://alwaysalesson.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/2016-10-18-1476801997-9249562-Matthew-thumb.jpg"></a><br> <br> Matthew is the founder of <a href="http://t.sidekickopen06.com/e1t/c/5/f18dQhb0S7lC8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9nMJW7t5XZs8p-VBWN1pxgB-RJ6tjVcVQQM56dS_pf3z_Dy602?t=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.academicapproach.com%2Fschool-programs%2F&si=5784242718507008&pi=520d5d74-6d14-402e-e6ca-83f8e62e7fa4">Academic Approach</a>, an organization that helps schools in underserved communities prepare students for the SAT and ACT, the tests they need to succeed on to gain admission to college. He’s also a former New York City teacher. He says "aligning high-impact test preparation with curriculum and instruction is not easy work, but it’s valuable and necessary. Often this work is approached as an “either-or:” either I focus on test prep or I focus on my curriculum. If you can approach the challenge as a “both-and” instead, you can find some efficient, creative solutions: I can both teach my curriculum and integrate in skills-based test preparation that teaches my students the high-impact skills they need for success both in my class and on the test. With the right assessment, reporting, and professional development system in place, we can achieve that all-important “both-and” in teaching and learning."<br> Quotables<br> <br> * "Teach beyond the test"<br> * "With the proper mentorship, students can fail forward... a lesson in resilience"<br> * "The way [students] experience failure can be positive and productive or paralyzing"<br> * "If you do take a student centered view of teaching, you never are done because there's always a new student and each student is different"<br> <br> Buzz Words<br> <br> * Locus of control<br> * Growth mindset<br> * Grit<br> * Rigorous academic approach<br> * Self Conception<br> <br> Matthew's Stamp of Approval<br> <br> * <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Design-Grant-Wiggins/dp/1416600353">Understanding by Design</a> by Grant Wiggins ("backwards design" and "teaching for transfer")<br> <br> Connect with Matthew<br> <br> * Website: <a href="https://www.academicapproach.com">https://www.academicapproach.com</a><br> * Personal LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-pietrafetta-45558917?trk=extra_biz_connect_hb_upphoto">https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-pietrafetta-45558917?trk=extra_biz_connect_hb_upphoto </a><br> * Academic Approach Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Academic-Approach-107012349498/timeline/">https://www.facebook.com/Academic-Approach-107012349498/timeline/</a><br> * Academic Approach Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/AcademicApprch">https://twitter.com/AcademicApprch</a><br> * Academic Approach LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/academic-approach">https://www.linkedin.com/company/academic-approach</a><br> <br> Connect with Gretchen<br> <br> * Email: gretchen@alwaysalesson.com<br> * Blog: <a href="https://alwaysalesson.com">Always A Lesson </a><br> * Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AlwaysALesson">Always A Lesson</a> <br> * Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/GSchultek">@gschultek</a> <br> * Linkedin: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/gretchenschultekbridgers">Gretchen Schultek Bridgers</a> <br> * Google+: <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/+GretchenSchultek">Gretchen Schultek Bridgers</a> <br> * Book: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Elementary-Educ-101-Didnt-College/dp/1478711868/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412203865&sr=8-1&keywords=education+101+what+they+didn%27t+teach+you+in+college">Elementary EDUC 101: What They Didn't Teach You in College</a> <br> <br> <br> Leave a Rating and Review<br> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/always-lessons-empowering/id1006433135?mt=2">https://itunes.apple.</a>
