TL;DR: Reflect on your professional goals and evaluate your impact on students and staff. Express gratitude to those who have positively influenced you. Identify areas for improvement, celebrate your wins, and continue learning and reflecting on your purpose in education. As you read this, you may have recently finished your school year or will soon finish. In retrospect, you may … Read More
Mental Health Awareness: 3 Key Ways to Be There for Students
TL;DR: Students need to feel visible and cared for. Say “hi” to each student, by name, every day. Educators who do this will create a small, but tangible and meaningful reminder for students that they are visible and cared for. Cheer students on. As educators, we have a wonderful opportunity to show up, demonstrate our interest in them as people, … Read More
Lessons from a Convenience Store
TL;DR: Despite its average appearance, the convenience store chain Wawa in Southeastern PA has a unique ability to leave customers feeling happier after their visit. Intentional acts of kindness, such as holding the door for someone, have a positive impact on both the giver and the recipient, triggering the release of dopamine in the brain. Wawa intentionally keeps its doors … Read More
The Gods of Education. Are They Worth It?
TL;DR: Schools, like cathedrals, have gods that they worship, which shape their values, priorities, and practices. The gods of education can be both burdensome and dangerous, demanding sacrifices and affecting the unintended consequences of serving them. Identifying the gods in education allows for a critical examination of their impact and whether they are worth prioritizing, as they are tools that … Read More
21 Questions for the End of the School Year
TL;DR: The final weeks of the school year are filled with a range of emotions as students and staff say goodbye and reflect on their growth together. Reflecting on the instructional design, learning culture, academic interventions, relationships, equity, professional growth, and self-care can support personal and professional development. The importance of asking the right questions, embracing uncertainty, and celebrating the … Read More