TL;DR: As a leader, it’s not always just about what you know, but it’s about who you are as a person. Leaders are models for teachers, who all are models for students. As a leader, you don’t need to know everything, but others must know you. Be more KNOWABLE than KNOWLEDGEABLE. It’s not about having THE answer; it’s about allowing … Read More
Using Formative Assessments to Guide Instruction
TL;DR: Formative assessments help teachers effectively plan and guide instruction. It also helps to understand students better in terms of whether they are on track, need support, or a challenge. Likely, you’ll need to plan for differentiated instruction to meet the needs of your students, individually or as a class. There are many formative assessment options: Do-nows & bell ringers, … Read More
Certainties During an Uncertain Time
TL;DR: There are a number of certainties during this uncertain time that we can count on. Some certainties we can count on are that we are resilient, communication is key, relationships matter, and partnerships between stakeholders and parents help students thrive. Hybrid instruction. Zoom. Virtual open house. Remote learning. Material distribution. Virtual instruction. Synchronous learning. Asynchronous learning. Hyflex instruction. Google … Read More
Batching Educational Productivity
TL;DR: Batching your tasks can help you to be more productive. This post shares strategies for batching your tasks, such as choosing specific times to engage on email each day, scheduling multiple phone calls in the same sitting, and taking a break to increase productivity later. “Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of commitment to excellence, … Read More
Time Management Strategies, Schnekser Style
TL;DR: Time management strategies include setting due dates a week in advance, knowing your usual schedule, and prioritizing necessary and positive mental health tasks. Becky Schnekser shares a look into her brain and the time management strategies she uses to prioritize her many responsibilities. How do you do it all? One of my best friends, Andrés, often asks me, “How … Read More