TL;DR: Connect with who you are outside the classroom by saying no, finding something you love doing, and committing to your relationships. Finding YOU outside of the classroom, and discovering your identity as someone other than an educator, can strengthen your mental health and help you feel empowered. I am a teacher. Whether in a conversation with new professional connections … Read More
Meeting the Needs of a Stressed Generation
TL;DR: Students of all ages face many stressors in their daily lives. Mindfulness is just one approach we can take to address the needs of a stressed generation. Emotional regulation uses strategies to guide anxiety, worry, and distress to harness those feelings and achieve specific goals in life, and in the classroom. “Our children are our greatest treasure. They are … Read More
It’s Grow Time
TL;DR: Educators are dealing with adversity and challenges like never before. After dealing with trauma, there is an opportunity for educators to grow. This challenging time can lead to positive, long-term changes in education. Our educational journey during this time is compared to the transformation of a seed to a tree. Finish the sentence: post-traumatic ____. Did you say stress … Read More
Smile…and the Whole World Smiles With You
TL;DR: Being a great speaker is all in the delivery. But it’s not just how you speak, it’s about what you say. Build connections with students and earn their respect by giving a smile, being real, and valuing the time you have with them. You may not always have an influence on students right away. Sometimes they don’t come around … Read More
The Comparison Trap: Changing the Negative to a Positive
TL;DR: Don’t get caught in the comparison trap; there is often a lot behind the scenes that we don’t always see. Use comparison to fuel your classroom, not destroy it. Changing the negatives to positives by comparing only your work, considering the circumstances, and changing only to make improvements. In the age of social media, it’s easier than ever to … Read More