“Just don’t smile until Christmas,” a more veteran colleague once advised me at the start of the school year. It never struck me as particularly wise when teaching a class of students. Having had 23 classes of students since then, I’ve learned a lot about what to do and what not to do long before […]
classroom management
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Teachers Beware: Curse of the Cellphone Screen Zombie Stance
For years, I watched in horror as the curse of the cellphone screen zombie took hold of every student I had, worsening with every update. If having to keep them off their phones all day wasn’t bad enough, most of their time spent in class was on a school-issued device, zombifying them by the hour. […]
Posted inPedagogy
Hang Up the Tattle Phone
Have you signed up for The Educator’s Room Daily Newsletter? Click here and support independent journalism! We never thought we’d be Instagram teachers. But here we are, watching our ideas spread on online forums. Social media has given educators an accessible and user-friendly platform to share thoughts about all things education. Without proper funding, professional […]
Posted inMental Health
Create Sensory Spaces to Support Student Mental Health
Have you signed up for The Educator’s Room Daily Newsletter? Click here and support independent journalism! A Journey to Support Student Social-Emotional Well-Being Recently, our elementary school went on an amazing journey to help find innovative ways to support the daily mental health of our students. The process was an exciting adventure! As a school […]
Posted inPedagogy
Use Kagan Strategies to Create Student-Centered Classroom
Have you signed up for The Educator’s Room Daily Newsletter? Click here and support independent journalism! My students began to get a little “off” as the second semester approached in my classroom. Off task, off behaviorally, off academically – call it what you will, but they were not the cooperative, attentive fourth graders I had […]
Posted inAsk the Educator's Room
Ask The Educator’s Room: Is sexting in elementary school normal?
Have you signed up for The Educator’s Room Daily Newsletter? Click here and support independent journalism! Welcome to The Educator’s Room advice column for teachers! Today we’re helping a teacher who’s less than excited about teaching a former student. We’re also helping a teacher who is trying to support trans and gender non-conforming students at […]
Posted inPedagogy
Co-Create a Student Contract with Eight Questions
Voices off and eyes on me, in three, in two, and one. The class expectation is 100% engagement while the teacher gives the ‘stand and deliver’ routine for an hour. G is taking notes in her binder. And she is one of three students who’s raising her hand and adding insight to the conversation. She […]
Posted inAsk the Educator's Room
Ask The Educator’s Room: Violent Students and A Harassing Parent
Have you signed up for The Educator’s Room Daily Newsletter? Click here and support independent journalism! Welcome to The Educator’s Room advice column for teachers! Today we’re helping a teacher who’s less than excited about teaching a former student. We’re also helping a teacher who is trying to support trans and gender non-conforming students at […]