Elementary teachers should wear a stethoscope, carry an abundant supply of bandages, and it would probably be beneficial to have access to a prescription pad too. Sometimes I wonder exactly what happens in that nurse’s office. It is a popular request by many elementary students, “Can I go see the nurse?” I have taught reading […]
New Teacher Bootcamp
Posted inElementary School, Featured, Kindergarten, New Teacher Bootcamp
Setting Up Your Elementary Classroom
I have a photo book of my first classroom, seventeen years ago. The desks are piled in the middle of the room. The teacher desk, my favorite item, was an old wooden desk. I still have it today. In fact, I changed buildings 5 years ago with the stipulation that my desk goes with me. […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, High School, How to Fix Education, New Teacher Bootcamp, The New Teacher Chronicles
Education News: An Arkansas School District Arms 20 Teachers
Guns and gun violence in schools have been intense topics of discussion for many years now. Since the shootings in Connecticut in December, 2012, some politicians and school districts have begun to entertain the idea of arming teachers and other staff within their schools. Last week, the administration of Clarksville High School in Clarksville, Arkansas […]
Posted inClassroom Management, Featured, New Teacher Bootcamp
Start Your School Year Strong: Set Goals!
My dad is a runner. He ran back in the 60’s, barefoot, and broke records in cross-country and track. He still talks about it with love and pride. I am not a runner, but age is an amazing motivator and as I hit 40 last year I realized I needed to put a little more […]
Posted inFeatured, New Teacher Bootcamp
Preparing for a Substitute
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”] It happens. You have to take a day (or more) off from school. Sometimes you can plan ahead, and other times you face unexpected circumstances. In steps a substitute to fulfill […]
Posted inClassroom Management, New Teacher Bootcamp, Parents
Dealing with Difficult Parents
A hazard of our profession is dealing with difficult parents or guardians from time to time. (For the sake of simplicity, allow “parents” to refer to whoever has legal guardianship throughout the remainder of this article.) Sometimes difficult parents are attached to difficult students; sometimes difficult parents are attached to wonderful students. Imagine the following […]
Posted inElementary School, Featured, Kindergarten, New Teacher Bootcamp
If You Become an ESL Teacher…
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”] When I became an ESL teacher I was not prepared for a lot of what happened my first two years. It is very true when they say that you aren’t really […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, New Teacher Bootcamp, Teacher Branding
Teacher Branding: The 12- 18 Month Rule
After effectively launching The Educator’s Room, LLC and spearheading (and then helped write) my first two books, “Keep the Fire Burning: Avoiding Teacher Burnout and “Behind the Desk” ,” a lot of my educator friends always ask me the same question, “When am I going to leave the classroom?” While I am flattered by the off-handed compliments, it got me […]