TL;DR: Relationships matter. Being connected is important for our overall happiness and well-being. There are foundational 3 mindset shifts that will help you build better relationships: (1) See relationships as gifts. (2) The relationship you have with yourself is also a gift. (3) Treat every interaction as an opportunity to improve your connection as building blocks. We can cultivate our … Read More
Sailing Your Own Ship
TL;DR: Shutting down a student’s behaviour in the moment can be effective short term but damaging in the long run. Knowing my students and what they need to be their best selves is part of my mission. Addressing students’ behaviors privately and maintaining a trusting safe environment are essential in my classroom. Sailing My Own Ship: Am I doing it … Read More
Building Connections with EL Students
TL;DR: Build an “EL Family Wall” in your classroom. Build connections between your students. Create a bond and feeling of belonging in the classroom. Building Connections with EL Students Each day, I meet with 10 groups of EL students from grades 1-8. One of their favorite weekly activities occurs every Tuesday: Voting Day! We have three whiteboard “zones”: Zone 1, … Read More
Engage Through Your Passions
TL;DR: Schools should be shifting to represent our students and the present-day world. Find ways to fill schools, classrooms, and students with opportunities to be passionate and creative. Host a school-wide Genius Day where staff can share their passions with students and make connections. Engage Through Your Passions It’s time to move forward. We need to stop looking back to … Read More
A Powerful Gesture
TL;DR: Make sure to let people know you are grateful for them. A personalized, handwritten note can go a long way. There is so much that we have to be grateful for. How often do we let people know that we are grateful for something they have done or just for who they are? It’s one thing to be grateful, … Read More