TL;DR: The tenets of an optimistic outlook on your classroom include having a positive climate and culture. Reflect on the level of morale, productivity, and student satisfaction in your classroom. Develop actions to optimistically impact students’ views on teaching and learning in your classroom. Climate and culture are often referred to as the “feel” of the school. Essentially, this feel … Read More
Even If…
TL;DR: We have control of two things: how we prepare and how we respond. Have a better mindset by changing your “what if” thoughts to “even if” thoughts. How great is that quote? Anyone else feeling great discomfort because everything seems out of our control? Yep. Me too. It’s nearly impossible to feel like we have a firm grasp on … Read More
Have You Fallen Into the Negativity Trap?
TL;DR: The brain responds differently to negative stimuli than it does to positive stimuli. Consider the times you have weighed the pros and cons of a situation, only to focus more heavily on the cons. When you are at home, focus on the positive, reframe your inside voice, and flip your point of view. At school, watch your response to … Read More
It’s Time to Try Something Better
TL;DR: Now is the time to try something better than what you have done before. Each day, try something better, and over time, you will notice big changes. As I sat in this brilliant student’s IEP meeting, I couldn’t believe what I heard. I had to consciously control my facial expressions. I was shocked and frustrated. Not at the student … Read More
Practices That Promote a Growth Mindset
TL;DR: We need to identify fixed mindset triggers in order to train our brain to focus on a growth mindset. Embody a growth mindset each day by changing the words you use. There are a number of questions you can use with students to help shift their mindset. Putting Mental Health at the Forefront “Life is like a CAMERA. Just … Read More