One of the great pieces of advice that I received in my teaching career is that at the end of the day students should be more tired than the teacher.  The other great piece of advice that I got was from a freshman in one of my classes. She said, “Why don’t you just give […]
Classroom Management
My Favorite Routines for Classroom Management
I am all for getting students to try new things and push their boundaries once in a while, but I don’t think it will come as a surprise that one of the best ways to manage a class is to establish routines and then stick to them. Students know what to expect, they feel comfortable […]
Student Teaching Diaries: Before We Start
Teaching is about learning. Â Teachers take classes to learn about content, strategies, behavior, classroom management and more. Â In order to move our educational system forward, however, the knowledge, experience, and expertise of master teachers needs to be shared with those entering the profession. Â Each college has its own path for how this learning takes place; […]
New School Year Advice from a Ten Year Teacher
Next week, I will celebrate the beginning of my tenth year in education. Teaching is a career that is always changing. One can never get too comfortable because before you know it there is something new. New standards, new strategies, or a new curriculum. One thing that never changes are the kids. The students are […]
Beyond the Seats in Flexible Seating
Without change, we exist in a stagnant environment. Â Learning is about persistence, failure, and change. Each summer there are buzz words that emerge and ideas for teachers to think about. Â However, not everything fits into a neat little package. Â There is not one boxed program, method, or idea that will work in every classroom. Â Teaching […]
Book Review: Teach Like A Champion 2.0
The book Teach Like A Champion is one that many educators have read, or, at the very least, heard of. This especially rings true for our classroom leaders who teach in urban schools. The first edition launched in 2010 by Doug Lemov, a teacher and administrator for the Uncommon Schools initiative, this book chronicles Lemov’s attempts to […]
Top 5 Things Every Teacher Should Do Before School Starts
Have the teacher dreams started? Does your heart pound when you see the school supply section at Target? While you’re relaxing on the beach, have you defaulted to lesson planning over novels? To help calm your nerves, I’ve compiled notes about five top things every teacher should do before school starts – and guarantee you’ll […]
Using Essential Oils in the Classroom
Holistic therapies and homeopathic remedies have been gaining in popularity and use in recent years. I will reach for essential oils as an alternative before taking over-the-counter medicines. Even some hospitals have started to diffuse essential oils to reduce workplace stress and promote natural pain relief. Teachers can use essential oils in the classroom to help […]