I had the most positive student teaching experience I could have ever imagined. I was mentored by phenomenal, passionate, effective, caring educators who graciously answered my questions and modeled by their example what it meant to do what’s in the best interest of students as not just learners of academics but learners of life. I […]
social emotional learning
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
I Wish My Teacher Knew: Beneath the Surface
In April of 2015, Colorado teacher Kyle Schwartz facilitated a writing activity in her third-grade classroom she called “I Wish My Teacher Knew.” Schwartz prompted students to complete the sentence “I wish my teacher knew…” with their own truths, hoping to understand her students on a deeper level. The activity yielded heart-wrenching responses from “I […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
In Defense of Middle School
By Sarah Mattie When I tell people I teach middle school (grades 6-8), the response is always the same: “Ugh! They’re the worst! You must be a very special person. I could never do that job.” Please. Stop. I know you mean well. I do. I am making no assumptions about your intent in those […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Secondary Trauma and The Teachers That It Affects
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 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 inInstruction & Curriculum
Class Meetings: A Strategy to Deal With Disruptions to Your Classroom Aura
The school year is off to a great start. You’ve spent the first few weeks building relationships with your students and creating communities where students can share and feel safe enough to be themselves. Your students are learning about you and your teaching style, while you are learning about their individual learning styles. Everything is […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Social Emotional Learning: Can It Help Our Most Vulnerable Students?
Imagine you have a student who every time they get upset they decide to engage in some negative behavior that totally disrupts your class? Whether the behavior is yelling or banging their head on the desk, there’s an obvious need for a different approach to working with students who come to school with a myriad […]
Posted inClassroom Management, Featured
Therapy Dogs and Schools
Remember the days of the old Charlie Brown comic strips, when Charlie Brown’s dog, Snoopy, was not allowed in public places? “NO DOGS ALLOWED!” were the signs Snoopy would read. Even though the comic strip was fictional, the sentiment was true. Dogs simply were not allowed in public places except in very rare instances. Since […]