5 Tips for Cultivating Atomic Love & Joy

Livia ChanBlog, Connect Better, Engage Better, Lead Better, Manage Better, Reflect Better, Self Care Better, Teach Happier

TL;DR: We can experience and cultivate atomic love and joy throughout our day and every day using the 5 tips suggested. Invest in getting to know yourself better. This helps when dealing with adversity. Know what brings you joy and cultivate it! Share love and appreciation. Don’t be afraid to say, “I love you.” Teach Better together. Lean on each … Read More

Supporting Student Mental Health in the Classroom

Melissa PelochinoBlog, Connect Better, Reflect Better, Self Care Better

TL;DR: Students everywhere are struggling with mental health. Their behaviors are often a result of a specific need. There are tools to help students reflect on what is in their control, identify their need and then ask for it. Supporting Student Mental Health in the Classroom The statistics are sobering. Month after month and week after week, organizations and agencies are … Read More

Lessons Learned From Learning Walks

Steven WeberBlog, Connect Better, Lead Better, Reflect Better

TL;DR: A learning walk can be a fly-by, informal observation, look for and ask about, peer observation, or video observation. You can even do learning walks in other schools. Problems with learning walks can include the purpose, timing, data collection, feedback, and closure. Steven shares 5 planning questions and next steps for learning walks. Lessons Learned from Learning Walks Yogi … Read More

Having Tough Conversations in Schools

Dana GoodierBlog, Connect Better, Reflect Better

TL;DR: We need to be more comfortable with having tough conversations in schools. Diving deep into the uncomfortable is part of the job of an educator. This year, my school is focusing on developing more equitable practices, which include equitable grading, incorporating equitable dialogue into our curriculum, and addressing behavior issues where students aren’t treating each other equitably or respecting … Read More

Becoming an Instructional Leader

Steven WeberBlog, Connect Better, Lead Better

TL;DR: Instructional leaders don’t have all the answers, especially at the beginning. It is important to tap into tools and resources to be an effective instructional leader. How does an educator become an instructional leader? “An instructional leadership mindset includes an intense moral purpose focused on promoting deep student learning, professional inquiry, trusting relationships and seeking evidence in action” (Timperley, … Read More