Author: Anna Sudderth

Two XQ school students working on their laptops and taking notes

High School Life

What is Grade Inflation and Why Does it Matter?

Grades are supposed to provide a standard measurement of students’ learning. They’re a way for students to see what they’ve learned and where they need to improve. They also communicate…

Profile picture of Anna Sudderth
Anna Sudderth Contributing Writer
Project-Management for the Brain: Teaching Executive Functioning Skills for Students

High School Redesign

Project-Management for the Brain: Teaching Executive Functioning Skills for Students

At Purdue Polytechnic High School (PPHS), an XQ school in Indianapolis, Indiana, Eric learned physics during his senior year by building a chair out of cardboard. In this…

Profile picture of Anna Sudderth
Anna Sudderth Contributing Writer
The Importance of Arts Education and Why the Arts Matter

High School Redesign

The Importance of Arts Education and Why the Arts Matter

In remote learning, arts education has never been more fragile. Here's how these educators are sparking creativity in their students and learn how you can too.

Profile picture of Anna Sudderth
Anna Sudderth Contributing Writer
Female student with red hair and clear glasses using a Sharpie to write on a notepad with classmate in background

High School & Society

How Service Learning Gets Students Involved

At Iowa BIG, an XQ school in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, students learn by helping their community. Take student Caitie, who graduated from Iowa BIG in 2019. During her time…

Profile picture of Anna Sudderth
Anna Sudderth Contributing Writer
Man and Woman smiling and looking at plants while a young person is shooting a picture with a phone camera

High School Redesign

Five Ways Educators Can Teach Collaborative Learning to Students

At Purdue Polytechnic High School, an XQ school in Indianapolis, Indiana, students work together to complete projects usually reserved for the professional world. Case in point: designing and…

Profile picture of Anna Sudderth
Anna Sudderth Contributing Writer
Why Active Listening In The Classroom Develops Empathy, And Why We Need This

Teaching & Learning

Why Active Listening In The Classroom Develops Empathy, And Why We Need This

What does it mean to truly listen to someone? At Círculos, an XQ school in Santa Ana, California, students approach this abstract question through a daily, concrete activity: forming…

Profile picture of Anna Sudderth
Anna Sudderth Contributing Writer
LISTEN: Teen Tips for Teachers

High School Life

LISTEN: Teen Tips for Teachers

Teachers understand that youth voice and choice are critical for learning. At XQ, we’ve made it one of our defining principles to support educators. This week we’re spotlighting a podcast…

Profile picture of Anna Sudderth
Anna Sudderth Contributing Writer
How to Address Social Justice Topics that Interest High School Students

High School & Society

How to Address Social Justice Topics that Interest High School Students

The San Francisco Bay Area is notorious for being one of the most expensive housing markets in the country. Its lack of affordable housing means more than 1,700 young people…

Profile picture of Anna Sudderth
Anna Sudderth Contributing Writer
students and teacher

High School Redesign

Fostering Stronger Teacher-Student Collaboration

Enter a classroom at Purdue Polytechnic High School—an XQ school in Indianapolis, IN—at the start of the school day, and you might initially have trouble locating the teacher.  Instead…

Profile picture of Anna Sudderth
Anna Sudderth Contributing Writer
5 Quick Ideas to Steal for Back-to-School

Teaching & Learning

5 Quick Ideas to Steal for Back-to-School

It’s that time of year again! As you prepare to jump back in to the school year, we’re here to ease the transition with five quick actionable ideas to bring…

Profile picture of Anna Sudderth
Anna Sudderth Contributing Writer
Six Characteristics of Highly Effective School Leadership

High School Redesign

Six Characteristics of Highly Effective School Leadership

Rethinking high school means rethinking leadership. Preparing students with the skills they’ll need to succeed after graduating—like collaboration, original thinking, and lifelong learning—takes creativity and commitment to bold change.

Profile picture of Anna Sudderth
Anna Sudderth Contributing Writer
Five Resources on the XQ Learner Outcomes

High School Redesign

Five Resources on the XQ Learner Outcomes

Back to school is just around the corner, so we now you’re asking big questions like: What do students really need this year to make sure they’re fully prepared for…

Profile picture of Anna Sudderth
Anna Sudderth Contributing Writer
Six Resources on XQ Design Principles

High School Life

Six Resources on XQ Design Principles

Hi teachers! Notice anything different? This week’s Give Me Five is actually a Give Me Six—six resources in honor of the six XQ Design Principles! These principles represent the…

Profile picture of Anna Sudderth
Anna Sudderth Contributing Writer
Six Characteristics of a Highly Effective High School

High School Redesign

Six Characteristics of a Highly Effective High School

What makes an effective high school? It’s not just the most obvious markers, like graduation rates and test scores. While these metrics matter, the best high schools go further, preparing…

Profile picture of Anna Sudderth
Anna Sudderth Contributing Writer
6 Ideas You Can Steal From the Most Innovative High Schools in America

High School Redesign

6 Ideas You Can Steal From the Most Innovative High Schools in America

A Los Angeles high school that operates all year round. A high school located inside a Memphis community hub. A curriculum where students choose what they learn…

Profile picture of Anna Sudderth
Anna Sudderth Contributing Writer
5 Summer Professional Development Resources

High School Life

5 Summer Professional Development Resources

Happy summer, teachers! As you know, the summer offers valuable time to reset and recharge. Every day we hear from teachers who are looking for tools to rethink high school…

Profile picture of Anna Sudderth
Anna Sudderth Contributing Writer
5 Smart Ways to Use Time, Space, and Technology

High School Redesign

5 Smart Ways to Use Time, Space, and Technology

Teachers, congratulations on finishing out the school year! As you take time to relax and recharge, we hope you also have the space to reflect on the last year. What…

Profile picture of Anna Sudderth
Anna Sudderth Contributing Writer
Announcing a New Tool to Strengthen Remote and Hybrid Learning

High School Redesign

Announcing a New Tool to Strengthen Remote and Hybrid Learning

A tool to help educators and leaders get a pulse on your reopening plan, identify resources you need, and how to equitably reach your students.

Profile picture of Anna Sudderth
Anna Sudderth Contributing Writer
5 Deep Dives into Youth Voice and Choice

High School Redesign

5 Deep Dives into Youth Voice and Choice

We’re back this week with more resources on Youth Voice and Choice, one of our six XQ Design Principles. Our last issue offered five strategies to bring…

Profile picture of Anna Sudderth
Anna Sudderth Contributing Writer
How Do Students Really Feel About High School? And What Can Educators Do About It?

High School Redesign

How Do Students Really Feel About High School? And What Can Educators Do About It?

Between class, homework, and extracurriculars, high school students spend much of their lives at school. As Anna, a student at Crosstown High, an XQ school in Memphis, TN, explained,…

Profile picture of Anna Sudderth
Anna Sudderth Contributing Writer
5 Resources for Youth Voice and Choice

High School Redesign

5 Resources for Youth Voice and Choice

High school is a time of self-discovery. As your students explore who they are and what issues matter to them, you can empower them as leaders and thinkers by…

Profile picture of Anna Sudderth
Anna Sudderth Contributing Writer
What Makes a Good School Board Member?

High School & Society

What Makes a Good School Board Member?

School board members can be some of the biggest change makers for high school. But what does it take to be a good school board member?

Profile picture of Anna Sudderth
Anna Sudderth Contributing Writer
Caring, Trusting Relationships in High School Matter Now More Than Ever

High School Redesign

Caring, Trusting Relationships in High School Matter Now More Than Ever

Building relationships with students is critical—especially during remote learning. Here’s how schools across the country are doing just that.

Profile picture of Anna Sudderth
Anna Sudderth Contributing Writer
How to Build Strong Relationships with Students Using Culturally Responsive Teaching

High School Redesign

How to Build Strong Relationships with Students Using Culturally Responsive Teaching

Educators across the country are building relationships and empathy with their students, and meeting them where they are. Here’s how.

Profile picture of Anna Sudderth
Anna Sudderth Contributing Writer
Ten Tips for Teacher Self-Care

High School & Society

Ten Tips for Teacher Self-Care

Now more than ever, teachers have a lot on their plates. Here are a few tips for teachers to treat themselves.

Profile picture of Anna Sudderth
Anna Sudderth Contributing Writer
The Relationship Between Parental and Family Involvement and Student Success

High School Redesign

The Relationship Between Parental and Family Involvement and Student Success

Research shows when families take a role in a students education, it sets them up for success. Learn how you can play your part.

Profile picture of Anna Sudderth
Anna Sudderth Contributing Writer
5 Tips to Build Caring and Trusting Relationships

High School Redesign

5 Tips to Build Caring and Trusting Relationships

Teaching is all about relationships. Before students can succeed academically, they need to feel seen, supported, and cared for by the adults at school. That’s why this week, we’re…

Profile picture of Anna Sudderth
Anna Sudderth Contributing Writer
How Important is Education for Economic Growth?

High School & Society

How Important is Education for Economic Growth?

Alexies, a recent graduate of Círculos, an XQ school in Santa Ana, CA, felt a strong sense of belonging at school. The community was kind and accepting, and helped…

Profile picture of Anna Sudderth
Anna Sudderth Contributing Writer
How Schools Can Engage Community Partners

High School Redesign

How Schools Can Engage Community Partners

Local businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies can play a valuable role in your school culture and student success. Here's how to attract and engage community partners.

Profile picture of Anna Sudderth
Anna Sudderth Contributing Writer
3 Tips for Teachers to Foster Student Internships in High School

High School Life

3 Tips for Teachers to Foster Student Internships in High School

Did you know that you can get a paid internship in high school? These two students engaged in real-world projects with industry partners. Learn how.

Profile picture of Anna Sudderth
Anna Sudderth Contributing Writer
6 Ways Schools Can Involve Communities Better

High School Redesign

6 Ways Schools Can Involve Communities Better

“Our community is the epicenter of a big urban city facing a number of environmental and social justice issues, like food deserts, gentrification, polluted air and water, flooding, and climate…

Profile picture of Anna Sudderth
Anna Sudderth Contributing Writer
5 Community Partnerships in Action

High School Redesign

5 Community Partnerships in Action

This week, we’re continuing our deep dive into the power of community partnerships! We’ve discussed some guiding principles for how to create and sustain partnerships with your community.

Profile picture of Anna Sudderth
Anna Sudderth Contributing Writer
teacher in the classroom

High School Life

Equity In The Classroom: A Teachers Guide

Students come to class from many different backgrounds and lived experiences. Effective teachers determine how to create equitable classroom practices so that all learners can progress toward their goals. Equity…

Profile picture of Anna Sudderth
Anna Sudderth Contributing Writer
5 Ways to Engage Community Partners

High School Redesign

5 Ways to Engage Community Partners

Imagine if your students could learn about ecology by gardening alongside local experts. Or what if they could study architecture with an internship at a professional design firm?…

Profile picture of Anna Sudderth
Anna Sudderth Contributing Writer
How to Promote Equity in High School Education

High School Redesign

How to Promote Equity in High School Education

When student Arianne showed up each day at Purdue Polytechnic High School (PPHS), an XQ school in Indianapolis, IN, she was certain about one thing: no matter what challenges…

Profile picture of Anna Sudderth
Anna Sudderth Contributing Writer
5 Resources for Project Based Learning

High School Redesign

5 Resources for Project Based Learning

“Why should I care about this?” As a teacher, you’ve probably heard some version of this from a student. While potentially frustrating, this question is a reasonable response to traditional…

Profile picture of Anna Sudderth
Anna Sudderth Contributing Writer
A Guide to Competency-Based Learning in High School

High School Redesign

A Guide to Competency-Based Learning in High School

At Iowa BIG, an XQ high school program in Cedar Rapids, IA, students learn by doing. For example, when Cedar Rapids was hit with a derecho—a severe windstorm—that left…

Profile picture of Anna Sudderth
Anna Sudderth Contributing Writer
A Guide for Interdisciplinary Teaching and Learning

High School Redesign

A Guide for Interdisciplinary Teaching and Learning

Interdisciplinary learning empowers students to explore different perspectives and views. Here's how you can get started.

Profile picture of Anna Sudderth
Anna Sudderth Contributing Writer
What Is Student Centered Learning and Why Is It Important?

High School Redesign

What Is Student Centered Learning and Why Is It Important?

Too many students describe high school as boring—but it doesn’t have to be. Here's how we can put students at the center of their education.

Profile picture of Anna Sudderth
Anna Sudderth Contributing Writer
Student Advice on Centering Mental Health by Welcoming Students as They Are

High School & Society

Student Advice on Centering Mental Health by Welcoming Students as They Are

The pandemic placed student mental health at the forefront of education, but how schools reopen could help us build a more resilient and caring education.

Profile picture of Anna Sudderth
Anna Sudderth Contributing Writer
How to Write a Powerful College Application Essay

Beyond High School Graduation

How to Write a Powerful College Application Essay

A comprehensive guide to writing and conquering the college admissions essay. Pro-tip: remember to be true to yourself.

Profile picture of Anna Sudderth
Anna Sudderth Contributing Writer

Become a Member

Join our community where teachers, students, school leaders, and families can learn, engage, and lean on each other for support.

Join Now

Our Mission

We created Rethink Together 
to help high school students, educators, 
and families find and share resources.

Learn More about XQ