TL;DR: We teach our students to advocate for themselves and voice their ideas and opinions. Often, we hesitate to do the same for ourselves. It is important to be an advocate for ourselves, our colleagues, and our students. Your Voice Matters I am a hypocrite. I also teach fifth and sixth grade. On my classroom wall are letters, each a … Read More
The Heart of Education: Feeling Safe
TL;DR Emotional safety is just as critical as physical safety. Creating safe spaces in our classrooms starts with understanding our own safety needs. Build hands-on tasks with students and colleagues to break down complex emotional ideas. Using mood meters provides learners with a language to describe their emotions. Feeling safe is a fundamental need. Learners’ attention in our classes depends … Read More
Episode #146: Roman Nowak
A teacher for the past 18 years, Roman has taught varying subjects from grades 7 to grade 12. A passionate ELA teacher, department chair, and leader for several years, Roman has transitioned to various roles from the classroom to student success coach and leader, to a specialist in the integration of technology in the classroom and a coach to develop … Read More
Episode #125: Suzanne DeMallie
Suzanne DeMallie was an ordinary CPA and mother of three prior to 2005. That’s when she was told that her son had an auditory processing disorder, and she began researching information to learn more about his diagnosis and how she could help him. But what she uncovered was a much greater problem that impacted every student in the typical classroom. … Read More
Let’s Continue to TALK about Equity!
TL;DR: Teach lessons that encourage a growth mindset. Definitions give us working knowledge to understand more about equity and anti-racism. Be an anti-racist educator! “Equity and Inclusion Just Got Better” Journaling/Reflection Questions What is a lesson idea that involves teaching about a topic that matters to your students? Write down a time you didn’t advocate for change with something that … Read More