TL;DR: There are a number of de-escalation strategies one can use to diffuse any tough conversation: (1) Move to a private area. (2) Be empathetic and non-judgmental. (3) Keep your tone and body language neutral. (4) Provide choices. The Teach Better Academy course, Addressing Tough Topics in Schools, shares communication strategies for challenging topics in your school community. As an … Read More
Asking for Help
TL;DR: Having clear expectations doesn’t mean you won’t need help. Be willing to ask students, teachers, and leaders for help. Know when to resolve issues on your own and when to reach out for support. Establishing expectations in a classroom is an incredibly important first step in building a community of learners. Whether that community will be together for the … Read More
Start Fresh and Begin Again Blog Series
Start Fresh and Begin Again Blog Series The beginning of a new calendar year provides us with a great opportunity to have a start fresh and to begin again. What are some things you wish to start anew? What are some habits you hope to pick up again? Let’s choose to be a little bit BETTER and a little bit braver this … Read More
Time Management 101 for the New Year
TL;DR: Managing your time better leads to enjoying teaching and life more. Setting goals can help you be productive and avoid burnout. This New Year, I wanted to encourage you to manage your time. Your busy time, your spare time, and your alone time. I can’t think of a better time to blog about this topic than now as we … Read More
How Does Your School Team Determine Priorities?
TL;DR: Determine your school’s priorities by having clear collective commitments. Have a plan for the implementation of your goal(s). Determine how you will measure growth. Reflect on what is being omitted in order to focus on your goal(s). Celebrate when you reach your goal(s). Determining School Priorities In schools around the world, a common practice is the development of a … Read More