It is 30 days into the school year. So far I have listened to or read stories about my students experiencing homelessness, bullying, deaths of family members, suicidal thoughts, and sexual abuse. These traumatic events weigh down on our students. Unfortunately, as we know, our schools do not have enough mental health supports. If we […]
Posted inAsk a Teacher
Response To Intervention: One Teacher’s Story
A decade ago, I was the first classroom teacher at my elementary school to complete a round of RTI. The counselor, principal and I went into the process with confusion, determined to get a struggling third-grade student the help she needed. Since those early RTI days, I’ve provided tier II and III interventions and watched […]
Posted inSchool Improvement
Maintaining an Inclusive School Environment Through Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care. -Theodore Roosevelt An inclusive and supportive school climate is an important part of education for teachers, students, administrative staff, and parents. One of the ways that we can maintain a school culture that is inclusive is by ensuring that students have […]
Posted inTeacher Leaders
Communicating with Parents: Advice From a Teacher Who Is Also a Mother
This school year is a brand new experience for me as a mother and as a teacher. This is the first year where I am sending my five year old daughter off to a public school. I’m not going to lie, it’s been a difficult transition for her, and for me. But something happened her […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Chromebook Conundrum: The Pros and Cons of Going Digital
This school year is the first year my school has gone one-to-one with students and electronic devices. During the first week of school, each student was given their own Chromebook to use in school and at home. A lot of exciting changes are happening, as teachers transition their classrooms from paper and pen to completely […]
Posted inFeatured, Teacher Burnout
Combatting Exhaustion and Stress to Promote Teacher Wellness
We’ve all been there: dragging our feet, scanning the clock, wishing for an opportunity to just sit down and relax for a few solitary minutes. If you’re a teacher, you’re likely to not have the words, “rest” and “relaxation” in your personal vocabulary. It doesn’t matter if it’s the first week of school, or several […]
Posted inCommon Core
Empowering Students Through Choice
Last month, I wrote an article about how lack of creativity for teachers can hinder both progress and respect. The same thing can be said for our students: a lack of creativity can hinder progress, respect, and self-efficacy. Allowing more choice for our students can empower them while also promoting creativity. Scripted and finite curricula […]
Posted inFeatured, Opinion
Can Teachers Hug Students?
I will never forget the most tragic moment in one of my students’ lives. It was the first year I taught, and he was in my homeroom. Nobody expected him to be there that day. Why? Both his parents died in a car accident the day before. And, then – there he was. The first […]