TL;DR: Happiness can be cultivated in simple ways in the classroom. There are 6 keys to cultivating happiness. Happiness is a mindset and a heartset. It is a gift you can give to yourself and others. Happiness is something you can protect. In my experience, when I ask young children how they feel, many will say “happy.” When I ask the … Read More
Physical Health & Education Affect Mental Health
TL;DR: Playing and moving around have loads of benefits for physical and mental health. Are we sucking the fun out of sport when we focus on competing? How can we use physical education to address the social-emotional wellbeing of students? Exercise and the Outdoors Exercise and time outdoors in nature are shown over and over again to be beneficial for … Read More
Reaching the True Purpose of Education
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