To pack now or to pack later? To pack fast or to pack better? Packing up your classroom is a highly personal choice. I believe it is a choice that should be made with care. [bctt tweet=”Packing up your classroom is a highly personal choice.” username=”EducatorsRoom”] Here are some things that can influence your choice: […]
Riina Hirsch
I have been an educator for 17 years. I love teaching like breathing. I am a former luddite turned blogger and professional development nerd. My BA in English is from Earlham College, my MAT is from Brown University, and my EdD in Teacher Leadership is from Walden University. I am also a Level 1 Google Certified Educator.
Stories that Live in our Hearts
We all have stories that live in our hearts. Â Stories we come back to over and over again for inspiration, comfort, and assurance that we do make a difference. Â Stories that represent and remind us of the love we have for our students, for our profession. One of my favorite stories is from early in […]
The Power of the Right Read
The power of the right read is indisputable to me. Â It always has been. Â I mean, I LOVE to read. Â I have been an avid reader for as long as I can remember. Â Even as a teenager, living in a foreign country, I read religiously. Â And I have always believed that the right book can […]
Yes, You Do Have to Help Everyone
Yes, you do have to help everyone. I cannot tell you deeply it irks my soul when teachers give up on kids. Of course, if you asked them, they would insist that they haven’t given up. I disagree. Â Being willing to help a student who asks for it is not enough. It is not enough […]
The Reality Conundrum: What We Know Works vs. What We are Required To Do
The reality is this: what we know works and what we are required to do as teachers often don’t align. The conundrum is how to choose. We want to choose what we know is best for our students 100% of the time. Sadly, our institutional inertia and regulation and testing means that too often isn’t possible. […]
10 Steps to a Positive Classroom Culture
Creating a positive classroom culture is hard work. We are living in a time of high anxiety and our students can feel that tension. Many no longer feel safe or welcomed in their communities just as many no longer feel safe expressing themselves. As educators, it is our responsibility to create classroom environments that are […]
Books Matter
I love books. There is something about them. The smell, the heft, the feel. . .The way kids respond. Because for all their complaints, most kids, most high schoolers, like books. Books matter. So my classroom is filled with books. So filled with books, it has become the smallest regular classroom in the building. Two […]
Tracking is a Dirty Word
To track or not to track? Is that a question? Have I already lost you? Tracking has been a dirty word for decades. Mostly for good reason. But. Leveled classes might have a place. We all know that “tracking” happens when we offer advanced courses and co-taught sections. The limitations of scheduling mean groups of […]