TL;DR: Apathy is not a personal attack on a teacher. Apathy is a sign that there are some roadblocks that need to be removed. Often, the “why” for a student’s apathy makes sense. We have to stop labeling students as apathetic before they have the chance to prove us wrong. We need to care about why they don’t care. Let’s … Read More
The Mindset Roller Coaster
TL;DR: Education this year is like a roller coaster; keep your mindset grounded. Take charge of your mindset. Level your emotions. Change the narrative. At the end of each day, take time to write down three things that went well, two things that you want to improve on the next day, and one thing you will celebrate with students. The … Read More
Creating Norms with My Students Changed My Classroom
TL;DR: Students really do want ownership in how their classroom runs. When they understand the why behind expectations, they can value those even when they don’t agree with them. Mutual trust is a necessary component before students can reliably set and follow their own norms. Creating Norms with My Students Changed My Classroom For 16 years, most of the students … Read More
4 Tips for Classroom Management
TL;DR: Routines and structures are key to strong classroom management. Consider your first 5 minutes of class and intentionally decide how you will spend that time. What works one day might not work the next; what works for one class may not work for another. Classroom management will always be a work in progress; not every single day will go … Read More
A Vision Board for the 2022 You Want to Live
TL;DR: Plan ahead for what you want to accomplish. Consider creating a vision board you can look at daily to help you achieve your dreams. Follow specific steps when making your vision board. “When we own our stories, we get to write a brave new ending.” – Brené Brown Live the life you want to live. This was the answer … Read More