This year is brand new. If it is your first year or your thirtieth year teaching, it is new. You have never been in this situation or with these exact set of colleagues or with these kids. It is easy to see the negativity in education, it is everywhere. You can ignore the truths […]
Back to School
Posted inElementary School, Featured
Red, White and Back-to-School
[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”] Every year right after the Fourth of July something magical happens. Shelves, which were previously filled with bright summer cookout and beach essentials, now become filled with #2 pencils, binders, and […]
Posted inAdult Learning, Classroom Management, Current Events in Education, Featured, High School
First Day of School Tips from a Teacher
After nine years of teaching and eighteen “first days” due to semester schedules, I still get butterflies. Weeks before school I wake up with nightmares and think of scenarios that will never happen. One of the many joys of teaching. There are different ways to handle the first day of school, in fact Harry Wong […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured
All Professions Deserve Summers Off
It’s amazing how many non-teacher Americans get angry, frustrated, and even downright rude about a teacher’s summer. When June comes around, so follows resentment. The vitriol is then repeated in late August when students report back to school. But here’s the thing – these people need to channel their criticisms towards producing a greater cultural shift. […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, From the Front Lines, High School, Uncategorized
Meet the Parents: A Young Teacher’s Back to School Night
When people find out I teach high school, they often reply with some surprise, “but you look like a high school student yourself!” I sigh, they tell me I’ll be thankful for my youthful appearance as I get older, and we move on – but through these interactions, I am constantly reminded of the additional […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, From the Front Lines
Going Back to School Renewed and Empowered, Not Burnt Out
By Guest Writer: Arpine Ovsepyan Back-to-school season is officially here. Thousands of students, parents, teachers, and administrators say good-bye to the carefree summer days and hello to the structure and routine of school. As you prepare for this transition, it is vital to take some time and reflect on how to make this a season […]
Posted inClassroom Management, Parents
Watch Your Mouth: Speaking with Parents
Each year we get a new group of students and they bring along parents. We have opportunities at the beginning of the year to set up a relationship here that can work towards learning or against learning. There are a few simple things you can do as you start the school year to invite parents […]
Posted inFeatured
35 Teacher Thoughts As Summer Ends…
Summer is ending, and another school year is just around the corner. Here’s a list of 25 summer thoughts that only teachers will understand. 1. NOT ALREADY! NOOOOOO! 2. What do you mean we have to go back already? I didn’t even get to go on vacation yet! 3. Staples and Wal-Mart better stop […]