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
Reactivate the Pause Button
TL;DR: This post shares a trip down memory lane, creating mixtapes of favorite music. One touch had the power pause or stop the tape. There are four things to live by: (1) Examine who you are and live by your values (2) Keep yourself open to beauty and adventure (3) Adopt a practice of observation (4) Fill your cup. As … Read More
Whoa-vember: A Month to Celebrate Blog Series Overview
Whoa-vember: A Month to Celebrate Blog Series Overview Whoa, it’s November! Despite another uniquely hectic year, it’s a month to celebrate. It’s that time of year where we often pause to reflect on what we are grateful for. This blog series shares all about gratitude from a number of different perspectives. Learn strategies to incorporate gratitude into your classroom. Recognize … Read More
