Simple Ways To Foster Relationships

Teach Better TeamBlog, Classroom Management, Leadership, Student Engagement

TL;DR: Surveying students and the 2×10 strategy are two ways to strengthen relationships with your students. Initiating meaningful conversations with others to foster classroom community. When I first interviewed for teaching positions, I was never asked a single question about how I build classroom community.  I was asked about my philosophy around classroom management (firm, consistent, and fair), and how … Read More

Strengthening Students’ Reading and Writing Stamina

Teach Better TeamBlog, Student Engagement

TL;DR: Giving students time to read and write independently is a classroom routine that encourages students to become readers and writers. A book review script that students can use to share video book recommendations with peers is included. When students share their writing with an authentic audience, it empowers them and builds classroom community. Having students set their own reading … Read More

Counseling: An Innovative Approach to Listening

Teach Better TeamBlog

TL;DR: Counselors can continue to support school communities by digitally providing resources, ideas, and learning opportunities. CASEL’s SEL Roadmap for Reopening Schools helps guide counselors’ efforts to connect with students. There is value in all educators delivering SEL content to students. Resources from American School Counselor Association (ASCA) are shared. “We think we listen, but very rarely do we listen … Read More

Virtual Restorative Circles

Teach Better TeamBlog, Leadership, Student Engagement

TL;DR: Restorative circles are personal class discussions. Some benefits of restorative circles for your students include building community and creating a sense of acceptance. Restorative circles can provide a safe environment for students both in-person and virtually. I learned of restorative circles at the December 2019 AIMS Network Conference. The session I attended described how these circles transformed classroom culture … Read More

Effective Decision Making: Using Core Values as the Filter

Teach Better TeamBlog, Classroom Management, Leadership, Professional Development

TL;DR: Reflecting on our core values helps us filter through the decisions we make to ensure they are purposeful and effective. Involving team members in decision making can help to increase the likelihood that all members support the outcome. Using core values to make decisions helps to prevent decision-making fatigue. Research shows that adults make an average of 35,000 decisions per … Read More