The first day of school is more than just setting expectations and reviewing syllabi—it’s the ideal moment to begin shaping a positive classroom culture. Thoughtfully planned activities that promote connection help students feel safe, seen, and part of a learning community from day one. When teachers focus on building relationships early, the benefits last all year. These early efforts are … Read More
Back-to-School Prep Without Losing Your Summer
Believe it or not, preparing for next school year without losing your summer is possible. You can head into the new school year refreshed, focused, and ready. With just a few intentional steps, you can reduce August stress and protect your time to relax, recharge, and reconnect. 1. Reflect on Last Year…Briefly Spend 30 minutes jotting down: What worked well … Read More
The 5 Things Every Professional Development Should Include
Planning PD for your staff can be stressful. You want to make sure that the time and resources are well spent, your teachers are getting actionable value from it, and that you’re getting what you asked for from your PD provider. Working with schools and districts across the country has allowed our team to create and develop high-quality professional development … Read More
Strategies for Neurodivergent Teachers
ADHD might explain why I would plan a 16-state, 2-week road trip! 2024 brought several milestone to my life. I embarked on an epic road trip through 16 states with my family, I turned 43 years young, and I was diagnosed with ADHD combined type. Come to think of it, the ADHD might explain why I would plan a 16-state, … Read More
Rethinking Teacher Evaluations: Consistency Over Performance
The topic of teacher evaluations often stirs a mix of anxiety and debate among educators. I feel the stress and anxiety in classrooms all around the country. While these assessments aim to measure teaching effectiveness, they tend to (more often than we’d all like to admit) promote a culture of “performance” lessons—special classes designed to impress school leaders. This raises … Read More