TL;DR: Educators can normalize prioritizing mental health, both in crisis and as a preventative measure, by considering therapy. Zoodoc, BetterHelp, and Talkspace are resources people can use if they are considering options for therapy. My 2020 New Year’s Resolution was simple: find a therapist, and commit to going regularly. I first met with Dr. Y in January. I found her … Read More
A Culture of Collaboration
TL;DR: Create a culture of collaboration by celebrating the wins, checking in with your staff, and having teacher-run PD sessions. Using a communication tool like Voxer can provide opportunities to open up a dialogue between staff in different areas. Leading with empowerment involves being genuine, showing vulnerability, and a willingness to acknowledge imperfection. I recently met with Foreign Language teachers … Read More
The Power of Empowerment
TL;DR: Teachers need to take a step into their students’ reality to truly understand them and see the world from their perspective. All students have the capability of being leaders in the classroom. The power of empowerment means encouraging our students to love themselves and be whatever they seek out to be. What does empowerment look like in your classroom? … Read More
5 Quick Tips For HyFlex Instruction
TL;DR: HyFlex instruction is when teachers provide in-person and online learning experiences simultaneously. Tips for HyFlex instruction include being simple and authentic, checking in with students, using the chat feature, keeping the meet on during independent activities, making eye contact with learners, and providing ongoing feedback. Always Learning As I scrolled through Twitter this week, I stumbled across a term … Read More
Listening Matters
TL;DR: Sometimes all we need is someone who will listen to us. As an instructional coach, listening matters—it is essential for building relationships. Coaches should share ideas, but ultimately, the teacher needs ownership in developing an idea and implementing it. In the last coaching blog, we discussed the importance of relationships. Relationships are the foundation for strong and effective instructional … Read More