TL;DR: Unplug from work and set boundaries for personal time. Recharge with hobbies and reflect on the past semester. Rejuvenate with mindfulness, healthy habits, and quality time with loved ones. It is time to recharge, reflect, and rejuvenate! Teaching is a rewarding yet demanding profession that often leaves educators mentally and physically exhausted when the holidays roll around. The break … Read More
Parent and Educator Roles in Smartphone Use
TL;DR: Encourage open conversations, set clear screen time boundaries, monitor content, and be role models for responsible phone use to support teens’ mental health. Establish classroom policies, engage students in discussions about these rules, provide non-screen alternatives, and consistently enforce the policies to create phone-free learning environments. Parents and educators working together can mitigate the negative impact of excessive phone … Read More
How Are Your EGBs?
TL;DR: December marks basketball season for our family, with our son playing for multiple teams. A lesson in leadership from basketball benches: It’s not just about on-court performance; it’s about Energy Generating Behaviors (EGBs). Examples from UConn and Mizzou show how small actions, like supporting teammates, listening actively, and cheering create impactful leadership, applicable beyond the court—relevant for classrooms and … Read More
Gratitude: It’s a Super Power!
TL;DR: Gratitude boosts emotional well-being, mental health, and fosters better relationships. Academically, gratitude enhances performance, resilience, and problem-solving skills. Practical methods like journals, kindness acts, role modeling, and discussions can instill gratitude effectively. In a fast-paced, technology-driven world, it can be easy for students to overlook the significance of gratitude. However, teaching students to be grateful is more than just … Read More
Lost and Found: Honor and Remember Your Loved Ones
TL;DR: November 1st marks a special day for various groups to honor their loved ones who have passed away. Suzanne shares her personal experience with grief and how she’s found ways to honor and remember her loved ones. The key message is to bring the qualities you loved about the people you’ve lost back into the world through your actions … Read More
