TL;DR: Baking cookies is a metaphor for the diverse ways educators prepare for a new school year. Some teachers meticulously plan every detail, while others adapt based on their time and resources. The key is to keep showing up and bringing your best to the classroom, just as bakers continue to bring their cookies to the table. How Baking Cookies … Read More
Fill Up Your Mental Health Toolkit
TL;DR: Teaching requires balancing curriculum with social and emotional support for students. Strategies for maintaining mental health include organization, routines, and self-reflection. Connection, positivity, and making daily joyful choices contribute to a healthy teaching environment. Teaching is a rewarding, yet challenging profession. Not only are you responsible for teaching the curriculum to a classroom full of students, but for facilitating … Read More
Dress Rehearse Success This School Year
TL;DR: Start the school year by focusing on what could go right, instead of what could go wrong. Document moments when things went better than expected to combat negative thinking. Actively engage in positive thinking to feel more grounded and resilient. Here we are in early September. Some of us have been back at school for a few weeks and … Read More
Where Is the Hope?
TL;DR: Maintain August optimism all year with strategies to sustain hope and engagement. Asking “Where is the hope?” helps find positive aspects in challenging situations, shifting focus from negativity. Regularly asking about hopeful events helps maintain emotional engagement and resilience. In August, most educators feel things they don’t often feel in October or February: rested, balanced, optimistic, and hopeful. Wouldn’t … Read More
Preparing for the School Year: 7 Essential Tips for Teachers
TL;DR: Introduce yourself to parents and students, considering home visits for a positive start. Prepare temporary seating charts and freezer meals to manage the busy first weeks. Establish routines, build relationships, and plan for self-care to ensure a smooth transition. As the summer winds down and the new school year approaches, teachers everywhere begin to prepare for the busy weeks … Read More