What Pandemic Teaching Taught Us These last few years have been a wild ride. When the pandemic slammed everything shut, everyone had to learn a new way of life. Schools shut down, and teachers reinvented the wheel, teaching from behind computers and spending countless hours trying to reach their students in new ways. Over the…
Read MoreHalf of teaching is figuring out what works for your unique set of students. Here are a few classroom management tips from a seasoned pro you might try: 1. Build Positive Relationships Your classroom is not just your job. It is a busy and chaotic second home. Those kids become your family, whether you like…
Read MoreWhy Use Phonemic Awareness for Reading Instruction? One of my first experiences with phonemic awareness reading instruction was about 10 years ago when I tutored a kindergarten student who was not making adequate progress in reading at the end of the second quarter. When I began tutoring her in January of her kindergarten year, I…
Read MoreAuthor’s Note: As a teacher, I sometimes found it soothing to call a beloved retired teacher and regale her with the funny and hard about my days. She could relate to so much, but, even more, she had so much wisdom to share. For those of you who don’t have a former teacher related to…
Read MoreWhen A Lesson Plan Goes Wrong: Becoming Flexible & Adaptable Let’s say you’ve crafted a stellar lesson plan you’re certain can’t go wrong. You’ve explained the new skill with crystal clarity, hitting each learning type: auditory, visual, and kinesthetic. Students have asked predictable clarification questions. They seem like they’re getting it. Everything is going just…
Read MoreFirst-year teaching is the subject of memes, jokes, and horror stories among the educator workforce–and for good reason. It’s an experience unlike any other: a year of mountainous highs and cavernous lows, blinding reality checks, endless working hours, constant mental and physical exhaustion, and plenty of facepalm moments (I mean, er, learning experiences). It’s ultimately…
Read MoreHave you ever wanted to get more supplies for your classroom but are not sure how and don’t have a budget? Maybe you have thought about applying for a grant but are not sure where to look or how to apply for one? As someone who began her grant hunting journey last year and managed…
Read MoreFirst time teaching on a cart this year? Lost your room and don’t know how you will manage? We’ve rounded up some tips to help you organize and prioritize what you need to be an effective teacher on the go: Organize Your Space Time is of the essence when you are a teacher…
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