Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches and Getting In a Rut

Alex T. ValencicBlog, Leadership

TL;DR: Routine and order don’t mean doing the same things the same way every day. We can provide voice, choice, and possibility within established structures. Going back to basics is just as important as pushing the envelope. I love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.  Nearly every day of elementary school, my lunch consisted of the same basic elements: a peanut … Read More

Proactive Strategies for Building Strong Student Relationships – School Administrators Mastermind Recap

Joshua StamperAdministrator Mastermind Recaps, Blog, Leadership

School Administrator Mastermind Recap, Teach Better Team

Welcome to the School Administrators Mastermind Recap! Join us for an enriching episode featuring Joshua Stamper and Katie Miglin as they explore the dynamic theme of “Proactive Strategies for Building Strong Student-Teacher Relationships.” In this insightful recap, Joshua and Katie share a wealth of practical strategies, real-world experiences, and actionable insights aimed at empowering administrators and educators to create thriving … Read More

Audience Awareness: Shaping Student Writing Beyond the Classroom

Catherine DorianBlog, Innovation, Leadership, Lesson Planning

TL;DR: Students primarily write for teachers in academic settings, but they also engage in real-world writing. Teaching audience awareness helps students understand their readers and write more effectively. Using a reader profile fosters a shift from self-centered writing to audience-oriented writing in various genres. Audience Awareness: Teaching your students to think about the reader behind their writing. When it comes … Read More

The Power of Home Visits

Suzanne RogersBlog, Leadership

TL;DR: Home visits benefit students by improving behavior, academic performance, and test scores while fostering trust and respect. Parents benefit from home visits through reassurance, trust-building, and consistent communication about their child’s progress. Teachers experience positive changes in student attitudes, increased confidence, and personal fulfillment, leading to stronger relationships with both students and parents. At LISA Academy, we believe that … Read More

5 Classroom Strategies for Social Emotional Learning Support

Michele HaikenBlog, Classroom Management, Differentiation, Innovation, Leadership, Lesson Planning, Reflect Better, Student Engagement, Teach Happier

TL;DR: Social emotional learning is already integrated into everyday teaching, helping students develop essential life skills alongside academic knowledge. Teachers can enhance SEL by implementing intentional strategies, such as reflection for self-awareness, authentic assessments for social awareness, choice boards for responsible decision making, checklists for self-management, and promoting collaboration and cooperation for building relationship skills. These practices align with CASEL’s … Read More