TL;DR: Teaching requires balancing curriculum with social and emotional support for students. Strategies for maintaining mental health include organization, routines, and self-reflection. Connection, positivity, and making daily joyful choices contribute to a healthy teaching environment. Teaching is a rewarding, yet challenging profession. Not only are you responsible for teaching the curriculum to a classroom full of students, but for facilitating … Read More
Unlocking Creativity: National Arts in Education Week
TL;DR: Arts education boosts student engagement, literacy, and aspirations. It fosters a positive school environment with fewer disciplinary issues. There is no negative effect on standardized test scores, dispelling myths about arts programs. Let’s unlock the power of creativity! When surveyed by the nonprofit organization Americans for the Arts, members of the U.S. public overwhelmingly agreed that the arts are … Read More
Dress Rehearse Success This School Year
TL;DR: Start the school year by focusing on what could go right, instead of what could go wrong. Document moments when things went better than expected to combat negative thinking. Actively engage in positive thinking to feel more grounded and resilient. Here we are in early September. Some of us have been back at school for a few weeks and … Read More
Lessons from the Beach: How to Keep Students Enthusiastic About Learning
TL;DR: Engage students by incorporating hands-on activities and integrating technology with purpose. Build a supportive classroom environment to foster excitement and investment in learning. Focus on creating impactful educational experiences for the upcoming school year. I go to the beach every summer to help me relax and recharge for the next school year. This year I was sitting in my … Read More
A Transition to Co-Teaching After 28 Years
TL;DR: Despite 28 years of teaching, the author had never experienced co-teaching until recently. Initial attempts at collaboration failed due to lack of planning and organization. A recent partnership with a special education assistant has led to positive changes in the classroom. The Missed Opportunity of Co-Teaching What if I told you that in my twenty-eight years of experience as … Read More