TL;DR: It’s time to reach the true purpose of education. There are many challenges our society is currently facing, and COVID is an added complication. The solution starts with kindness, empathy, and collaboration. Moving towards a more collaborative world can help us reach our highest achievement as humans. Reaching the True Purpose of Education: The Problem Let’s face it. The … Read More
Before You Throw in the Towel: REASSESS
TL;DR: Being a teacher is not for the faint of heart. Teaching is a calling. If you ever feel helpless, unappreciated, or want to leave the profession, don’t. Instead, REASSESS: remember, evaluate, affirm, seek, study, eliminate, survey, and shift. By nature, I am highly reflective. As a teacher, I often looked forward to ways to redo a poorly executed lesson … Read More
Expect the Unexpected
TL;DR: Substitute teachers need access to materials and detailed plans. Every teacher should have emergency plans prepared. Administrators can best help by being visible throughout the day. On February 3, 2011, I experienced a substitute teacher’s worst nightmare. I had accepted a two-day assignment at a new-to-me school. At first, things seemed to go well. I was greeted by the … Read More
5 Tips for Building Classroom Community
TL;DR: Challenging classroom behavior is often why teachers feel burned out. Building a strong classroom community is a proactive strategy to support positive behavior. Some strategies to build community include morning meetings, closing circles, mindfulness, and more! I was a special education teacher for 10 years and have been in the field for 12. The classroom community is my bread … Read More
Classroom Management Then and Now
TL;DR: Classroom management has changed quite a bit since the days of Harry Wong. Today’s classrooms have shifted physically and philosophically to empower students in their learning. Consider including wellness breaks in an instructional period to allow for meditation, hydration, or socialization. La-Shanda joined Rae on the Daily Drop In to chat about classroom management and including wellness practices with … Read More
