TL;DR: Parents want teachers to see their children and notice great things about them. Send an email at the start of the year introducing yourself. Ask parents to tell you about their child. Periodically check in with parents to see how they feel things are going. Celebrate children! Meaningful Connections: What Parents Want When my children were younger, I wished … Read More
5 Questions For Reflective Practitioners
TL;DR: Before moving on to the next quarter of the school year, spend time reflecting on how the last quarter went. What would you like to change going forward? What is so wildly important that you cannot afford not to address it? “Developing habits of continual growth and improvement requires self-reflection. As we as individuals, staffs, and organizations reflect on … Read More
Ideas to Commemorate World Kindness Day
TL;DR: World Kindness Day is November 13th. There are many ways you can bring kindness lessons into your classroom. Discussing what it looks like to be kind, random acts of kindness, and kindness cards are a few ideas you can incorporate. Did you know that Saturday, November 13th is World Kindness Day? Since you likely have no school on a … Read More
Follow the Signs
TL;DR: Follow the signs our students give us. We must teach the students we have in front of us, not the students we wish we had. Successful teaching requires us to know not only where are our students are and where we want them to go, but also to know where we are and how we are going to get … Read More
Overcoming the Fall Blues
TL;DR: The abundance of work and lack of breaks can cause fall blues. Planning ahead and using educational resources can help with lessons. Find ways to practice self-care. Make sure you are having fun. If you aren’t enjoying the classroom, neither are your students. Talking to a colleague the other day, I was shaking my head and doing what one … Read More