Breaking Down Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice

Teach Better TeamBlog, Connect Better, Lead Better

TL;DR:  Diversity, equity, and inclusion must also include justice. Schools are smaller microcosms of our world, and include power dynamics that communities need to make sense of in order to shift from diversity and inclusion to equity and justice.  This past week’s Daily Drop In theme was equity and inclusion. This is a topic close to my heart and even … Read More

Perspective

Teach Better TeamBlog, Connect Better, Engage Better, Innovate Better, Lead Better, Manage Better, Reflect Better

TL;DR Perspective is an important part of problem-solving. Changing your perspective is not always easy. You can learn a lot when you take the time to change your perspective. Our family takes big vacations during the summer. We snorkel, climb mountains, and hike through the woods. Our family explores the many different landscapes within the United States. We experience new … Read More

Being Human Is Not Unprofessional

Teach Better TeamBlog, Connect Better, Engage Better, Manage Better

TL;DR: The #RelationshipsFirst movement: Students are more likely to learn when they have a positive relationship with you and get to know you too. We connect better with others who we know, value, and respect. Share stories about life experiences and show humanity to students every day. Their experiences may be similar so by sharing, you have become someone else … Read More

Bracket Your Day with Consistent Routines

Teach Better TeamBlog, Manage Better, Self Care Better, Teach Happier

TL;DR: Structure the beginning of your day to have a consistent routine.  Before leaving work, clean up your email inbox by returning all messages from the day. As you end your day, create a system to keep track of items that need to be addressed the following day.  As school leaders begin their school year supporting their students, staff, parents, … Read More

WSPD ’21: Talking to Students About Suicide

Teach Better TeamBlog, Connect Better, Engage Better, Manage Better, Self Care Better

TL;DR: It’s important to talk about suicide. It’s everyone’s role to discuss, prevent, and destigmatize suicide. Suicide prevention is social justice and access issue as well as a mental health issue. We need to become a trauma-informed, caring educator so we can support students who need help. Below you will find a list of common myths about suicide talk. Generally, … Read More