I once heard teaching described as “herding cats,” and I laughed because I’ve lived it. Not in my own high school history classroom (11th graders are a different kind of chaos), but in the elementary classrooms I’ve spent time in as a trainer and as a parent volunteer. I remember standing in a kindergarten classroom … Read more
When teachers are trying to ace their T-TESS observation in the classroom, they often struggle with student engagement. Luckily, teachers can use simple strategies to boost engagement and get the most out of their Texas teacher evaluation. The T-TESS teacher observation system is a comprehensive evaluation tool that measures teacher effectiveness in Texas. T-TESS training … Read more
Click above to listen to Podcast Episode 26: “The Importance of Student Relationships with Bridget Hocutt“ I still remember sitting across from a student during my prep period, watching her eyes well up as she finally admitted she had no idea what was going on in class. This was a junior who had been in … Read more
Click above to listen to Podcast Episode 31: “Handling What You Can’t Control“ I vividly remember spending a Sunday evening in my second year of teaching, crafting what I genuinely believed was a flawless lesson on the Progressive Era. I had primary sources lined up with discussion questions tiered by complexity and a closing activity … Read more
I remember the exact moment a teacher I was coaching realized she had completely lost one of her students. She had been struggling to reach this particular kid for weeks. No eye contact. No participation. Assignments were turned in blank or not at all. She told me about it during one of our coaching calls, … Read more
I still remember the exact sound. It was a Tuesday in late October, second period, my 9th-grade world history class. We were mid-discussion about the Treaty of Versailles, and for one of those rare, precious moments, nearly every student was locked in. Hands were going up. Students were responding to each other without my prompting. … Read more
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly when the energy in a classroom shifts from curious engagement to passive compliance, yet experienced teachers recognize the signs immediately. Students slouch a little lower in their chairs, their eyes drift toward the clock, and the questions you worked so hard to prepare land with a thud in the silence. … Read more
I have read a lot of bad resumes. When I was hiring for my own business, I learned something painful. The most qualified candidates often wrote the most forgettable applications. They listed duties like they were filling out a tax form. They buried their wins under passive language. They lost opportunities to less experienced people … Read more
(This post may contain affiliate links that won’t change your price but will share some commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read our disclosure policy for more information.) I started teaching high school history in 2007, back when smartboards were still novel, AI wasn’t heard of, and most of us … Read more
When many teachers hear the term “student-centered project-based learning,” you can see the color drain from their faces. It is a buzzword-laden phrase that sounds intimidating, yet it truly isn’t as daunting as it seems. At its core, this instructional approach builds upon the familiar practice of assigning projects. The key shift is that it … Read more
One of the most frequent and pressing questions I hear from educators, from elementary school to higher education institutions, is for strategies for increasing student engagement. We’ve all faced the quiet room, the glazed eyes, and yes, the challenge of that “one kid” who seems impervious to our best efforts. While no method is a … Read more
As a teacher, you know how magical it is when all of a sudden you realize that every student in your classroom is actively participating in the lesson you have crafted. You know that on that day, you won the battle, and the information is sticking as you watch the class engagement all around you. … Read more
Most of us are trying to tackle the wrong one…and we’re starting the school year at a deficit instead of our nervous systems being back to 100%.
Find out what type plagues you the hardest and develop a plan to change it ⬇️