There is no way around it, teaching is a challenge. The experience of a teacher is hard to communicate to those outside the profession. That’s why it’s so important to have strong relationships with other people going through the same
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Positive Mentoring
Since 2020, our country has been hit with a wave of teacher resignations that don’t seem to be subsiding anytime soon. Social media and the news are full of reasons why teachers shouldn’t stay in the profession. Instead of focusing
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You Can Say No
“You can say no.” This is the advice that I give to all new teachers. It’s okay to not take on every “opportunity”. It’s okay to say that you don’t have the time to give that “project” 100%. IT’S OKAY.
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Teaching Future Teachers
Twice a year I get invited to present to a classroom full of future educators. I get to visit during their high school teacher week; a panel of history, CTE, language, special education teachers, and me. In a college class
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Sending Up Flares: Teachers Are Calling For Help
“Is anyone else feeling like they are just hanging on by their fingernails?” This question, asked by a middle school teacher, interrupted a grade level discussion about a common formative assessment. The question opened the floodgates. Anxiety, dread, and frustration
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“Get Out Of The Way”
Have you noticed some parents are too involved with their child’s learning? The ones that solve their problems, do their work, and give them answers? This has become increasingly apparent through distance learning, as some parents sit next to their
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What Teachers Need
As we wrap up this crazy school year and I end my 17th and possibly my final year of teaching, I’d like to address some needs I have seen throughout this pandemic. What teachers need: Professional development opportunities that are
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What’s Your “Better”? Learning How To Move With Change
The last month and a half has been a sea of constant change. I recently re-read Who Moved My Cheese? by Dr. Spencer Johnson. It’s my go to read when I’m forced into unexpected and unwanted change. It reminds me
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Readiness for Remote Learning in Our Innovative School
Since Arizona closed schools March 16, like my Stories from School colleagues and many other people around the world, I have experienced alternating episodes of hope, tears, escapism, distress, mental dispersal, zen, joy,
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What We Can Learn From Veteran Teachers
As a teacher, I spent my first couple of years eating at the “kids” table at lunch. I worked in a very veteran department where many of the teachers had been around for 10 or 15 years, if not more.
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