Happy New Year, Teach Happier community! New year, new you? Nope. New Year. Same Us. Bless. As we usher in 2025, we may need to apply a small shift in thought – we are not starting over, we are simply beginning again. We get to take all our experiences and lessons learned in all our years prior into this new … Read More
Building Strong Co-Teacher Relationships
TL;DR: A meeting at Starbucks led to a successful two-year co-teaching partnership. Building a strong co-teaching relationship involves getting to know each other, honest communication, and respecting boundaries. Key tips include spending time together, maintaining open communication, setting boundaries, enjoying laughter, and reflecting on practice. We decided to meet at Starbucks on that warm summer day. We were still unsure … Read More
Where Is the Hope?
TL;DR: Maintain August optimism all year with strategies to sustain hope and engagement. Asking “Where is the hope?” helps find positive aspects in challenging situations, shifting focus from negativity. Regularly asking about hopeful events helps maintain emotional engagement and resilience. In August, most educators feel things they don’t often feel in October or February: rested, balanced, optimistic, and hopeful. Wouldn’t … Read More
Finding Your Presence in the Summertime
TL;DR: Stay Present: Being intentional with your time prevents regrets and maximizes enjoyment. Preparation Matters: Practice mindfulness daily to enhance focus and awareness. Capture Thoughts: Create a system to manage work-related thoughts and redirect focus. Stay Present in the Summertime For many educators, the summer is a time of rejuvenation, rest, and relaxation. And then for many educators, the summer … Read More
Maximizing Learning: Embrace Education Moments
TL;DR: Intentionally plan and invest in moments that significantly impact students’ lives, rather than leaving them to chance. Design school activities and lessons, from everyday classroom interactions to major events like graduation, to create memorable and transformative experiences. Educators need to balance structured planning with the flexibility to seize unplanned teachable moments, fostering curiosity, adaptability, and reflection in students. “The … Read More