In This Post: Being on social media should be a must for any school district. Avoiding these common mistakes should be, too. Using a specific hashtag for your district creates an easy-to-follow story on social media. Trying to be on too many platforms, and not staying consistent, can hurt your growth and the effectiveness of your social media efforts. Regardless … Read More
Creating a Rockin’ Classroom Environment
In This Post: Creating a rockin’ classroom environment is about creating an environment students love walking into. Using music to create an experience for students can be power. Music calms us, creates focus, and inspires us. Which teacher’s class did you anticipate and love walking into everyday? For me, it was my high school history teacher’s class. He always had … Read More
Creating Impactful PD for Teachers
In This Post: Developing impactful professional development takes careful and purposeful planning. Planning your PD sessions to encourage having fun, meet educators where they are, and start and end on time are key to success. Remember that being a learner can be stressful, don’t over plan, and utilize the expertise and experiences of those attending. Developing impactful professional development can … Read More
Lose The Levels – Reconsidering Leveled Libraries
In This Post: Leveled libraries in classrooms is a good idea taken way too far. The level system was created to match readers to texts that best met their reading levels. It has become a rigid system that hinders text choice. The level system is often applied to inappropriate instructional times. The text level-creators themselves – Fountas and Pinnell – … Read More
How to Fight Mental Illness Through Authenticity
In This Post: Authenticity is a growing necessity in education, for both teachers and students. A job may be just a job, but teaching is more than that; it’s a work of love and sacrifice. Although there are certain things we must temper when we are in front of our students, the inherent qualities that define who we are must … Read More