I am officially on winter break and enjoying my family and our Christmas traditions. I’ve been thinking about how much classroom routines are really all about traditions. No matter what holiday you celebrate, you and your family probably have several traditions that are significant to you. From food to decorations to activities you do at… Read More
We’ve all been there — feeling like something we’re doing is just not worth it. Here’s a self-care tip to help you keep going: Be an encourager. Wait, isn’t this tip supposed to be something that helps you? Believe it or not, this tip DOES help you. Whatever you put out in the world tends… Read More
When I think about the importance of building student relationships, I think back to my third year of teaching. That year I had a student named “Garrison” (names have been changed to protect privacy). I did not like this boy. He was passive aggressive, refused to do any work, and just sat there and grinned… Read More
You will think about leaving the classroom. It might happen after a few years of classroom teaching, or even just one year if it’s a tough one. Even if it’s still a mostly satisfying place to be and even if it feels like where you belong, you might wonder if there is something else out… Read More
If you are a teacher, you are probably scheduling or will soon schedule conferences with your student’s parents or caregivers. Here are some tips to make this a positive and productive experience! One note: when the word “parents” is used in this post, it refers to any adult who is in a parenting or caregiving… Read More
As a teacher and a mom, I have been on both sides of the parent-teacher conference table. Here are a few thoughts from the parent’s side of the table. 1 – my child means the world to me. Please love and appreciate them and find the good in them, even when it’s difficult. 2 –… Read More