TL;DR: Share positives about others behind their back. When it circles back to them, it can lift them up. It 👏👏👏. Is 👏👏👏. JUNE! 👏👏👏. We are so close to summer, fellow teacher friends! Let’s sneak in one more small shift to consider as we close out this school year. It’s one of my favorite pastimes: talking behind people’s backs. … Read More
Creating a Maker Mindset in May
TL;DR: Having a maker mindset can encourage students to be creative and explore. A maker space is not necessary for providing these opportunities for students. Curated materials and time are all students need. It can be the perfect activity to end the year. State testing is over. We’ve covered the curriculum. Students are unruly and impatient for summer. How do … Read More
Sneaking Assessment Into Writing Instruction
TL;DR: Assessment doesn’t always have a positive connotation. Start with an asset-based mindset: what can students do well? Clarify what you want the students to be able to do and look for it. Involve students in the goal-setting process. Sneaking Assessment Into Writing Instruction If I mention assessment to teachers, they cringe. Maybe the cringe comes from the thought that … Read More
Reawaken Your Clarity
TL;DR: Let go of perfection. Allow yourself to move forward and let go of the past. Give yourself time to rest. Be okay with setting boundaries. Reawaken clarity. I hopped into my car yesterday and realized that the front windshield was dirty. With no time to clean it on my way to work, I realized how difficult it was to … Read More
Lead Better: Honors Night
TL;DR: Think about your legacy and the legacy of your school. What are you leaving behind? Know what motivates your people. Believe in your people and help them reach their goals. Honors Night In 2013, members of my family created a scholarship in honor of my grandparents. Both my grandparents were fixtures in our local high school. For 22+ years, … Read More