Ed discusses income, stability, parent occupation, home reading materials, and parent educational achievement as impacts on student achievement today.

Ed talks about knowing as much as you can about the family lives of your students and how that will impact their outlook on school and beyond.

Ed discusses four ways that students can be different and reminds us that not everyone's story is like yours!

Ed talks about five demographic categories that most teachers in America fall into and what those implications mean for our students.

Ed discusses substitute teachers leaving a note for the classroom teacher, to put a positive spin on the days events and to open the lines of communication.

Ed encourages substitute teachers to take a few minutes to make sure the physical classroom is clean at the end of the day to give the impression that you are a good teacher (it sometimes works!)

Ed talks about, when being a sub, not expressing or agreeing with negative comments about the school, the kids, the parents, the school system, etc.  Also, as a bonus tip: say hello to everyone!

Ed talks about having fun activities at the end of the period if you are a substitute teacher, to motivate the students to hang with you and complete their regular work during the majority of your time.

Ed tells substitute teachers to always keep their classroom activities steeped in academic content (no playing 7Up!) and be able to defend your actions to real or imaginary administrators if they happen to stop by the classroom.

Ed talks about keeping the class busy (and cutting down on misbehavior) when you are a substitute or otherwise.