Let’s Talk about Religion as an ism!

Teach Better TeamBlog, Innovation, Leadership

TL;DR: Individuals all have their own religious or faith-based practices they bring into the classroom. Take the time to learn about all the different beliefs and holidays. Reevaluate the options you are giving to students and staff. Make everyone feel welcome. I was taught by my father, my Thathi who said never ever to discuss this topic since it’s political. … Read More

The Uncomfortable Truth About School

Teach Better TeamBlog, Grading & Assessment, Innovation, Lesson Planning, Mastery Learning, Reflect Better, Student Engagement

TL;DR: Students forget most of what they “learn” in school. Acknowledging this gives us the freedom to focus on powerful learning experiences. Wrestling with the impermanence of some school “learning” challenges our core values as educators. What is Learning, Really? Educational thought leader Will Richardson loves to invite teachers to share their definitions of learning. His observation: most of us … Read More

Cutting Through Generational BS (Belief Systems)

Teach Better TeamBlog, Innovation, Leadership, Reflect Better, Self-Care, Student Engagement

TL;DR: Sometimes we do things because it is all we know rather than what is best or necessary. We all come with different belief systems that influence us. Take time to reflect on belief systems and how they may be impacting you and your school community. There was a mother that was teaching her young daughter the family secret to … Read More

Using Tech to Connect

Darcy BakkegardBlog, Innovation, Personalized Learning, Student Engagement

TL;DR: It’s so great to be together in person with students. How can we use tech to support in-person learning? Consider using audio journals. Turn research papers into podcasts! Back to School It’s great to be back to school in person. There’s magic in a classroom, an excitement that grows when students and teachers are in the same place at … Read More

Unplug to Recharge

Betsy SpringerBlog, Classroom Management, Innovation, Leadership, Reflect Better, Self-Care

TL;DR: When you work from home, it’s hard to stop working. The boundary between work and home blurs. The world will not fall apart if you wait until the morning to answer an email. Determine what you can change to purposely give yourself time to unplug on a regular basis. Working from Home Perhaps one of the biggest challenges of … Read More