TL;DR: 3 lessons learned from the first day of subbing and tips for teachers and administrators. “Early” is on time. “On time” is late! Make sure the information you have is correct. Know where the important places are. Know Your Environment It was my first day subbing in a new building and in a new district. I had the address … Read More
Dare Mighty Things
TL;DR: Learning and growth happen when you get out of your comfort zone. Scientists and engineers have to accept the possibility of failure. Teachers and students should be encouraged to Dare Mighty Things. Do you Dare Mighty Things? Take a moment and reflect: Are you playing it safe, staying in your comfort zone, and surrounded by the familiar? Or are … Read More
Expect the Unexpected
TL;DR: Substitute teachers need access to materials and detailed plans. Every teacher should have emergency plans prepared. Administrators can best help by being visible throughout the day. On February 3, 2011, I experienced a substitute teacher’s worst nightmare. I had accepted a two-day assignment at a new-to-me school. At first, things seemed to go well. I was greeted by the … Read More
Patterns
TL;DR: Pattern recognition is a skill that can lead to discovery. Patterns help students better understand the world around them. Patterns are interdisciplinary. In the world of science education, identifying patterns is an incredibly important skill that we teach our students. Pattern identification has led to discoveries in all scientific disciplines, but the patterns that are resonating with me right … Read More
The Gift of Contribution
TL;DR: There are so many ways we can contribute to the communities we find ourselves in. We will dive into these questions: How do you add value by your presence? And how do you add value through your words and actions? How much value do you add and how can you add more? How often do we show we value … Read More