TL;DR: Student-led conferences empower students to take ownership of their learning and enhance communication between students, parents, and teachers. These conferences build confidence, foster self-reflection, and strengthen the teacher-student relationship. Implementing student-led conferences involves preparation, student reflection, and ongoing support. Student-led conferences are revolutionizing the traditional parent-teacher conference model. These conferences foster independence, self-reflection, and stronger connections between students, parents, … Read More
Stretching Your Professional Edges
TL;DR: Grow your professional competencies beyond your classroom walls by supporting new teachers, contributing to team meetings, and joining district initiatives. Offer guidance to new staff, share resources with peers, and seek out leadership roles even without the formal title. Stretch your professional edges by actively seeking opportunities for growth in your school and district. While I was getting dynamic … Read More
Rocking Reading: Using Music to Engage Reluctant Readers
TL;DR: Engage reluctant readers by integrating music into literacy instruction. Use body percussion and instruments to teach syllabication in a fun and interactive way. Access a video tutorial and free lesson plan to get started. Can you relate? We’ve all been there. You have a student (or five) in your class who are like “I HATE reading” . . . … Read More
Work Happier: 5 Things Research Tells Us
TL;DR: Learn 5 research-backed strategies to boost happiness at work, applicable both in and out of the classroom. Embrace negative emotions as signals, rethink productivity, and practice self-compassion to reduce stress. Craft your job to align with your strengths and nurture belonging for a greater sense of purpose. We made it to October! First Days of School, Back to School … Read More
Sweet Beginnings: A Recipe for Success
TL;DR: Baking cookies is a metaphor for the diverse ways educators prepare for a new school year. Some teachers meticulously plan every detail, while others adapt based on their time and resources. The key is to keep showing up and bringing your best to the classroom, just as bakers continue to bring their cookies to the table. How Baking Cookies … Read More