TL;DR: Sometimes school leadership teams wait to get buy-in before completing an action. Waiting for buy-in can cause delays in implementation. Collective commitment means putting the kids first rather than forming an adult-centric school. Waiting for Buy-In When principals or school improvement teams attempt to implement a new program or initiative, it is common to hear the phrase, “We will … Read More
The Power of a Pen
TL;DR: A pen teaches students that mistakes are learning opportunities. It gives students time to pause and think before they write. It empowers students by providing them with skills they can use throughout their lives. Every December, I gave a present to my students. Yes, I taught middle school. Yes, I had over 100 students each year. And yes, it … Read More
Are You Using All of the Free Tools With Canva?
TL;DR: Canva is a free tool for educators and students. It provides templates and other tools to make the classroom more exciting. Canva offers video courses for teachers and students. Are you using all of the FREE tools with Canva? I have to assume many teachers out there are using Canva regularly at this point. The Canva design suite for … Read More
Kids Do Better When We Give Them Grace
TL;DR: Give people grace because they are often doing their best. Be willing to bend school rules if they give students comfort and don’t hurt anyone. Consider how bending school rules can help students feel more welcome at school. Grace I went through the Dunkin’ drive-through the other day. As the 2 cars in front of me ordered, I kept … Read More
5 Radical Self-Care Lessons for Educators
TL;DR: Burnout is not “this is just how it is.” We need to prioritize our own wellness. Self-care isn’t selfish and it’s not about temporary relief. You must put the work in to maintain boundaries and demonstrate self-care. Set office hours for yourself. Embed wellness routines into your classroom to model self-care for students too. Burnout Six years ago, I … Read More