Assessing and Addressing Student Needs

Jennifer AppelBlog, Classroom Management, Leadership

TL;DR: 3 steps to ensure we are addressing the needs of our students, including tips for assessing the situation, coming up with a plan, and re-evaluating. Assessing where our new students are using a Google form, and using that information to meet their individual social and emotional needs. I LOVE the first day of school.  It is something that I … Read More

EP 157 Combining Robotics and SEL with Robert Walker

Tre GammageBlog

Timestamps 03:00 – The various cultures in Hawaiian classrooms 04:45 – Aloha is a spirit that keeps the culture respectful 06:45 – Combining SEL and robotics: teaching innovation and creativity in classrooms that may otherwise have scripted and predictable curriculum 12:00 – Mimicking real life and providing support in that environment to teach SEL 14:50 – Robert’s acronyms: fun and … Read More

SEL in the New Normal

Jennifer AppelBlog, Leadership

TL;DR: Planning for social emotional learning in the new normal. Strategies to prioritize SEL and the whole child, including being flexible, focusing on social issues and changes, checking in with others and meeting them with empathy, and ensuring that we are taking time to understand where students are at in their learning. “New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings” … Read More

Shame’s Role in Education

Teach Better TeamBlog, Classroom Management, Differentiation, Leadership

TL;DR: The role of shame in education, as told through a specific student case study. A journey through finding what works for kids. Steps to challenge the role of shame in education. “Shame is the intensely painful feeling that we are unworthy of love and belonging.”  -Brene Brown This was a tough week for me.  One of my students, we’ll … Read More

Embracing Mental Health in Schools

Teach Better TeamBlog, Leadership

TL;DR: A continuation of the mental health conversation from Brian Faulkner. The importance and strategy for school leaders to take in regards to mental health. Every time I think of this story, I get goose bumps. Why? It’s a perfect example of how we can embrace mental health and it is astonishing to know that when I took this video, … Read More