TL;DR: Gratitude helps wire our brains to look for the good. Research has shown that, on average, people complain about once a minute during a typical conversation. The more we complain, the more we wire our brains to focus on the negative aspects of our lives. Try to go one full day without complaining. Constant Complaining In this Teach Happier … Read More
Heart of Education: Classroom Families
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
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
Educators Are Saving the Day: 4 Ways to Fill Their Cup
TL;DR: It’s easy to get lost in the daily grind and forget to see one another. Personalized small talk breaks the cycle of obligatory conversation. Small, personal tokens go further to create value than mass appreciation. Small Gestures to Show Appreciation The smallest gesture can be powerful when it shows us we’re seen—not as teachers, specialists, or principals, but as … Read More
8 Qualities of People Who Build Great Relationships
TL;DR: People who build great relationships listen, make time, are present, admit when they’re wrong, give good advice, are empathetic, commit to trusting others, and think of the other person. Eight Qualities of People Who Build Great Relationships While we enter our second or third month of school, many of us have already well-established relationships with our students to have … Read More