TL;DR: The beginning of the school year gives us an opportunity for a fresh start. Instead of a negative mindset, identify student’s passions and interests, and how we utilize those to empower students. We can have some fresh mindsets about unmotivated students, lack of support at home, and students without a dominant language. Mindsets to embrace are linguistic inclusivity, want … Read More
Why I’ll Never Go Back to “Normal”
TL;DR: Distance learning helped us connect. Rather than going “back to normal,” educators can take all of the things learned during COVID to make positive changes going forward. Why I’ll Never Go Back to “Normal” I won’t lie to you. There were days last year that I taught in pajama pants, shoes-off, with a cat in my lap. Days where … Read More
The Art of Relationships
TL;DR: There are many ways to establish and maintain relationships. These tips were previously shared on a Daily Drop In on August 17, 2021. Tips: (1) See relationships as GIFTS. (2) GREET warmly and by name daily. (3) Show GRATITUDE. (4) Be GENUINE. Be you. (5) GO beyond by doing small things for others like offering help. (6) Make an … Read More
Introducing Tech Better
TL;DR: Educators went from using technology for everything in remote learning to using it less when they returned to face-to-face. As we return back to school, we need to be intentional about how we integrate technology back into our classrooms. Learn 6 ways how to be intentional with the integration of technology. (1) Identify learning targets. (2) Notice where handles … Read More
Waiting for a Lifeguard
TL;DR: Steven shares a story about how he and his dad were caught in a riptide and needed support from a lifeguard. Many students are struggling. We cannot expect them to save themselves. Hope is not a strategy. In order to focus on students’ needs, school support teams can ask themselves a list of questions found below. Consider how intentional … Read More