Science Better: Showing Thanks

Teach Better TeamBlog, Classroom Management, Innovation, Leadership, Lesson Planning, Self-Care, Student Engagement

TL;DR: It is important to reflect on who has had a positive impact on your education journey. I want to thank the “giants” who have shaped my views of science and education. Reach out to the people who have helped you become the amazing educator that you are and thank them! Mr. Anthony During the month of November, I tend … Read More

Heart of Education: Classroom Families

Jennifer WaldvogelBlog, Classroom Management, Self-Care, Student Engagement, Teach Happier

TL;DR: Children may have a hard time recognizing their talents and skills. Educators can build students’ conflict resolution toolkit with stress reduction tools and empathy practice. Open each class with an activity that grounds students into the present moment. There’s a reason educators call students their “kids.” If schools are microcosms of society, then the classroom is a representation of … Read More

Teaching Gratitude as We Celebrate Thanksgiving

Teach Better TeamBlog, Student Engagement, Teach Happier

TL;DR: This post is about the importance of showing gratitude to the people, experiences, and rewards that we accumulate through life’s journey. Celebrate your students’ cultural celebrations. Find out the “why” of the traditions behind the celebration. Teaching Gratitude It’s Thanksgiving season. I love hosting Thanksgiving meals with family. I have learned over the years that gratitude is one of … Read More

Moving From Self-Care to Collective Care

Teach Better TeamBlog, Classroom Management, Innovation, Leadership, Self-Care, Student Engagement

TL;DR: While self-care is important, it has become a way of shifting the responsibility, whilst putting more work on the shoulders of already overwhelmed educators. Mutual aid is collective coordination to meet each other’s needs. Collective care removes the responsibility from the shoulders of individual teachers and shifts the onus to the school, district, and educators as a collective group. … Read More

Gifted Strategies Are Just Better Teaching

Teach Better TeamBlog, Differentiation, Innovation, Lesson Planning, Mastery Learning, Student Engagement

TL;DR: Using strategies that support gifted students can support all students in your classroom. While at the Teach Better conference, I attended several sessions that would work well for gifted students, including using Depth of Knowledge and the Grid Method as well as finding ways for students to look at math creatively. Gifted Strategies Are Just Good Teaching These are … Read More