Resources for Difficult Conversations with Students

Teach Better TeamBlog, Connect Better, Engage Better

There is never an easy answer. Never a single answer. No easy way to prepare for the conversations in your classrooms and schools over the next few days. But we are here for you. We are working to curate resources to help, organize opportunities for conversations, and focusing on how we can better support you during these unprecedented times. We … Read More

An Optimistic Outlook on Your Classroom

Jami Fowler-WhiteBlog, Connect Better, Engage Better

TL;DR: The tenets of an optimistic outlook on your classroom include having a positive climate and culture. Reflect on the level of morale, productivity, and student satisfaction in your classroom. Develop actions to optimistically impact students’ views on teaching and learning in your classroom. Climate and culture are often referred to as the “feel” of the school. Essentially, this feel … Read More

How to Handle Distance Learning’s “Ghost” Students

Megan BaldufBlog, Connect Better, Engage Better

TL;DR: We must acknowledge the concerns about student engagement and attendance that may occur during remote learning. We don’t know everyone’s situation so we must offer grace. According to a meta-analysis of psychiatric research, social isolation and loneliness during the pandemic negatively affect children’s levels of anxiety and depression. Listed below are ways to reach out to students. Use any … Read More

Foster Success by Looking in Your Students’ Rearview

Teach Better TeamBlog, Connect Better

TL;DR: When lesson planning, it is important to look at things from different perspectives. Look through your students’ rearview and see life from a different lens. Seeing from the lens of your students will help you foster success. Get to know your students and the things they are interested in, then use what you learned to create a positive classroom … Read More

Small Conversations, Big Impact

Tim StephensonBlog, Connect Better, Reflect Better

TL;DR: Listen closely to small conversations you have with others. Open yourself up to listen to learn. What may appear to be insignificant conversations can turn out to be golden nuggets of information. As stated in previous blogs, I teach astronomy. Now, what was one of my first teaching moments related to space? Back in the 90s, I was teaching … Read More