TL;DR: Maintain August optimism all year with strategies to sustain hope and engagement. Asking “Where is the hope?” helps find positive aspects in challenging situations, shifting focus from negativity. Regularly asking about hopeful events helps maintain emotional engagement and resilience. In August, most educators feel things they don’t often feel in October or February: rested, balanced, optimistic, and hopeful. Wouldn’t … Read More
Preparing for the School Year: 7 Essential Tips for Teachers
TL;DR: Introduce yourself to parents and students, considering home visits for a positive start. Prepare temporary seating charts and freezer meals to manage the busy first weeks. Establish routines, build relationships, and plan for self-care to ensure a smooth transition. As the summer winds down and the new school year approaches, teachers everywhere begin to prepare for the busy weeks … Read More
Using Data to Drive Instruction and Earn Merit Pay
TL;DR: Education data informs instructional strategies, tracks student progress, and enables personalized learning experiences. Teachers in our district can qualify for merit pay through programs like PEER, DESE, and District Merit Pay by effectively using data to improve student outcomes. Best practices include regular data collection, setting clear goals, engaging in professional development, collaborating with colleagues, and communicating with stakeholders. … Read More
Nurturing Co-Teaching Relationships
TL;DR: Successful co-teaching requires trust and shared expectations, developed over time through relationship building and communication. Regular co-planning sessions are essential for creating cohesive lessons and addressing student needs, ensuring both teachers are aligned and prepared. Implementing various co-teaching techniques, such as station teaching and parallel teaching, allows teachers to leverage their unique strengths and provide targeted support to students. … Read More
Lessons from ‘Life Under Pressure’ on Youth Suicide Prevention
TL;DR: Attending a talk at the 92nd Street Y, William Andresen discusses the book “Life Under Pressure” by Dr. Anna S. Mueller and Dr. Seth Abrutyn. The book explores the social roots of youth suicide and how community tragedies can lead to clusters of suicide. Andresen reflects on his own educational experiences, emphasizing the importance of building visible, tangible connections … Read More