TL;DR: This post shares an interview with Susan Jachymiak on why she’s passionate about the topic of new teacher support. Good mentors should be transparent, supportive, and passionate. Many first-year teachers struggle with classroom management. Make sure you give yourself breaks to recharge. New Teacher Support: Interview with Susan Jachymiak I’ve been following Susan Jachymiak on social media for a … Read More
The Gift of Happiness: 6 Keys to Cultivating Happiness
TL;DR: Happiness can be cultivated in simple ways in the classroom. There are 6 keys to cultivating happiness. Happiness is a mindset and a heartset. It is a gift you can give to yourself and others. Happiness is something you can protect. In my experience, when I ask young children how they feel, many will say “happy.” When I ask the … Read More
Revel in the Small Wins – Strategies for Self-Care
TL;DR: Keep the little notes students write you in a file for when you need a smile. Focus on the small sparks of joy you get throughout each day. Write down the great things that happen to you! Keeper File Over the holidays, I received a handwritten card in the mail from one of my 2nd-grade students, Abby. It was … Read More
Kintsugi: Embrace Imperfections
TL;DR: Instead of a New Year’s resolution, think of selecting a word for the year. Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken ceramics with gold, silver, or platinum to create beauty in imperfections. How can we apply kintsugi as we learn and grow in 2022? Embrace imperfections, flaws, and mistakes this year. You are spectacular as you are! One … Read More
Challenging the Status Quo When It Comes to Power!
TL;DR: Be brave and serve as an advocate for equity and inclusion. Be a lifelong learner. Hold positive intentions as we learn together Blog Reflection Questions: Who holds power in education? Why does this matter? How do we change the system with positive intention and navigate spaces? Happy New Year! It’s been a year since I started this educational journey. … Read More