“Throw away the bad experience, but save the lesson.” – Frank Sonnenberg I think we can all agree the last year has been a bad experience. One that has forced many unwanted and unsolicited changes. Change is inevitable. Sadly, this
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Preparing the Gifted Environment
This COVID year has highlighted some uniques needs in my classroom. As we are naturally concerned about supporting the academic and social needs of our most at-risk students, I noticed little to no attention was given to supporting these same
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License to Lead
Who decides whether you lead? Is it your boss? Is it the HR department? Is it your particular set of physical characteristics—your gender, your race, your height, your looks? Or, is it you? I want to tell you a fun
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What Energizes You?
There was an organizational strategy I read about a while ago (I cannot remember where) that specifically helped organize the tasks on your to-do list based on the energy you need to complete it. You listed all the things you
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Splash Around
It’s warm, but the sun is on the descent. The tall grass is gripping onto the cool wind as it tries to come in off the water. The opening between patches of tall grass is a clear entry point into
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Seeing Each Other, Masks or No Masks
Co-written with guest bloggers Elizabeth Buchmann and Christina Bustos Tonight, we expect to hear whether our district will continue requiring masks in school or make them optional. The statewide mask mandate in K-12 schools has been revoked. Tonight we speak
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Why You Should Join
It has been over 20 years since I took my first job as a teacher. When I reflect on the valuable tools that have allowed me to grow as an educator since then, one has been by belonging to professional
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The Last 28 Days
With running records, final assessments, report cards, and oh-so-many other things (all on top of the actual teaching of human beings), the last weeks of school can be hectic, exciting, chaotic, and challenging. Oftentimes, teachers start a final countdown to
Read MoreSchool Is Not Optional
Working with students who have developed aggression patterns is one of the most rewarding decisions I have ever made in my career. Not only have I learned about who I am as a person, but I have the opportunity to
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Is The Grass Greener on the Other Side? The Pros and Cons of Teaching Online, In-Person, and Hybrid Models in a Pandemic
Which teaching model best serves students in a pandemic? This year has shown that there is not a one size fits all model for teaching in a pandemic and that no matter which learning model you have chosen there are
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