Color Outside the Lines Blog Series Overview Everyone has their own teacher leadership style. Discover and own your unique teaching and leadership style early in your career to help you thrive in this challenging profession. Make your mark on your students, throughout your building, and in your community! Posts in the Series Making Your Mark: Becoming a Teacher Leader by … Read More
Teach Better Ambassadors: Like Radio Shack, But Still Relevant
TL;DR: Alex Valencic shares his journey from substitute teacher to Professional Learning Coordinator. The Teach Better Ambassador program is here to help everyone be better. The Ambassadors bring a vast array of experiences to support the Teach Better community. New Role After three years as a substitute teacher and seven years as a fourth-grade teacher in East Central Illinois, I … Read More
Back to Basics
TL;DR: After teaching for many years, I’ve realized I need to get back to the basics. The basics are realizing the impact I have on the students in my classroom. My relationships and connections with students will be my first priority. The world feels so complicated at the moment. With a constant barrage of information coming at us at every … Read More
Can You Care Too Much?
TL;DR: Is teaching tougher because we need to adapt to our new generation of learners? Sometimes “not caring” about small things can lead to more impactful teaching. Focus on the connections and the things that matter! Teaching Is Tough If you’ve read any of my blogs over the last couple of years, then you would have noticed that there is … Read More
Connecting with Students Experiencing Summer “Loss”
TL;DR: While many experience feelings of joy and freedom when summer arrives, other students dread it. What are ways you can maintain connections with students over the summer months? Peace Out? Maintaining Summer Connections It was the last day of school! As I gathered my take-home treasures and sprinted with satisfaction toward the school parking lot, I couldn’t help but … Read More