TL;DR: Teaching gratitude has benefits for students, teachers, and the community. There are many simple activities for all ages that you can embed into your classroom. Incorporate gratitude into your own life. There’s a lot of talk about the need for teacher self-care but less about simple hows and whens. But what if self-care wasn’t something separate? What if we … Read More
Teachers Need the SEL Approach Too
TL;DR: Struggling through depression made me feel lost and alone. Remote learning started to help me heal and become myself again. SEL is important for adults, too. I have been meaning to find a way to settle down to write this blog. It has taken me some time to overcome my own anxiety issues, both personal and professional. After my … Read More
Remembrance Day
TL;DR: Remembrance Day is observed on November 11th at 11AM. This post honors Remembrance Day and the importance of helping students make a connection to their community. “In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row” – “In Flanders Fields” by Canadian Army Lt. Col. John McCrae Growing up in Canada you learn this poem or hear it … Read More
Putting Play in PD
TL;DR: Sometimes professional development doesn’t use the research-based teaching strategies that we know are super impactful. Learn how to use play both in your classrooms and when planning professional development for colleagues. Discover four ways to merge technology and play. Put the play in PD. Get excited about Teach Better 22 Conference! Professional Development That Doesn’t Align With Research There … Read More
Working Together to Support Each and Every Student
TL;DR: This post shares a reflection on supporting students. Developing staff-to-staff relationships allows colleagues to share information learned about students so it is not a solo responsibility. I had the good fortune to be on the Daily Drop In last week, interviewed by one of the most gracious hosts I have ever encountered—Rae Hughart. She and I clicked. It was … Read More