The Heart of Education: Taking Risks

Jennifer WaldvogelBlog, Classroom Management, Differentiation, Innovation, Lesson Planning, Personalized Learning, Reflect Better, Student Engagement, Teach Further, Teach Happier

TL;DR: Taking risks makes teaching more exciting and fulfilling. Start small with change to accomplish more in the long run. Risk-taking is easier for students when we build them a safety net. Failure is natural. Show students it’s okay to fail as long as we try again. Growing up, we’re taught to be careful: to wear helmets and knee pads … Read More

Heart of Education: Learning From One Another

Jennifer WaldvogelBlog, Innovation, Reflect Better, Student Engagement, Teach Happier

TL;DR: Veteran educators are our best resource for advice, inspiration, and long-term purpose. Stepping into the classroom of a teacher who is our opposite is an opportunity to rethink our own best practices. Global networking can provide solutions we can’t see inside the comfort of our own communities. When I think about the teachers who have made the greatest impression … Read More

Heart of Education: Classroom Families

Jennifer WaldvogelBlog, Classroom Management, Self-Care, Student Engagement, Teach Happier

TL;DR: Children may have a hard time recognizing their talents and skills. Educators can build students’ conflict resolution toolkit with stress reduction tools and empathy practice. Open each class with an activity that grounds students into the present moment. There’s a reason educators call students their “kids.” If schools are microcosms of society, then the classroom is a representation of … Read More

Educators Are Saving the Day: 4 Ways to Fill Their Cup

Jennifer WaldvogelBlog, Self-Care, Student Engagement, Teach Happier

TL;DR: It’s easy to get lost in the daily grind and forget to see one another. Personalized small talk breaks the cycle of obligatory conversation. Small, personal tokens go further to create value than mass appreciation. Small Gestures to Show Appreciation  The smallest gesture can be powerful when it shows us we’re seen—not as teachers, specialists, or principals, but as … Read More

Making the First Day Last

Jennifer WaldvogelBlog, Classroom Management, Differentiation, Leadership, Reflect Better, Student Engagement

TL;DR: Leverage first week get to know yous for long-term relationships. Mini challenges are a great way to observe group dynamics. Create seating charts and small groups based on collective strength. Bring transparency and group sharing to PLCs and admin teams. As teachers, we learn so much about our students in the first six weeks of the school year. We … Read More