Follow the Signs

Alex T. ValencicBlog, Differentiate Better, Lead Better, Lesson Plan Better

TL;DR: Follow the signs our students give us. We must teach the students we have in front of us, not the students we wish we had. Successful teaching requires us to know not only where are our students are and where we want them to go, but also to know where we are and how we are going to get … Read More

What Do You Do With An Idea?

Alex T. ValencicBlog, Innovate Better, Lesson Plan Better

TL;DR: This post shares steps on how to move an idea from thought to reality. Brainstorm and research, tell, debug and show your story, and find a thought partner. Several years ago, I worked in a school district that gave every elementary teacher in the district an allotment of $500 to be used for classroom supplies. This money could be … Read More

Criticism: Destructive, Constructive, or Instructive?

Alex T. ValencicBlog, Connect Better

TL;DR: There are three main types of criticism: destructive, constructive, and instructive. Destructive criticism tears down; constructive criticism builds together, and it identifies a problem and offers solutions. Instructive criticism adds on to what someone knows. Let me start by sharing four related facts you may not know about me.  I am hard-of-hearing. There are times that I literally do … Read More