TL;DR: Building school spirit is essential for fostering positive school culture and values. High academic achievements are linked to students’ pride in their school and engagement in school activities. Creating strong relationships and empowering student leadership can lead to a positive school climate and impactful events. Consider inclusive and affordable strategies for student-centered tasks and events. This blog was written … Read More
The Role of the Perpetrator, Victim, Bystander, and Upstander
TL;DR: Teachers and administrators make multiple decisions each day. These decisions can have a long-lasting impact on a student. When making decisions as an administrator or school team, they should ask three questions about access, inclusion, and equity. There needs to be a sense of urgency to ensure we prepare each learner for the next level. We need to be … Read More
Change Because You Want To, Not Because You Have To…
TL;DR: This post shares a story that demonstrates the importance of making a change because you want to, not because you have to. Be proactive, plan, and make decisions based on what is best for students. Several years ago in a school that I grew up in and was teaching at, a long-time school board member was running for re-election. … Read More
Pause.
TL;DR: Traditions were broken all around the world due to the global pandemic. Next year, we can repair the traditions that 2020 took from us, or we can recreate new ones for our families. BreAnn presses pause on her Play Better series this month to share a poem reflecting on the importance of tradition. Pause. My husband’s grandma passed away. When I … Read More
Breaking the Barriers of Curriculum Design
TL;DR: There are many potential barriers to curriculum design. Potential barriers include absence of a curriculum framework, change, communication, products, funding, hidden curriculum, time, and tradition. Strategies for breaking the barriers are shared. Curriculum design is a rewarding process that provides educators with the opportunity to discuss what is essential. My experiences with curriculum design and observing the work of … Read More