There are specific elements to keep in mind when preparing for a NIET Observation. The NIET Teaching Standards Rubric, based on research-based criteria, makes it easy to give feedback regarding a teacher’s instruction and encourages collaboration around a shared goal that corresponds with student performance. NIET Observation criteria aim to produce a concise, accurate, and … Read more
When teachers are trying to ace their T-TESS observation in the classroom, they often face issues when it comes to student engagement. Luckily, there are easy ways for teachers to increase that engagement to get the most out of their Texas teacher evaluation. The T-TESS teacher observation system is a comprehensive evaluation tool that focuses … Read more
As teachers, we are constantly trying to find ways to make our lives just a little easier. A great option for this is to look into easy grading assignments, like those that utilize student self-grading. Now, this is much more than just having students trade papers with one another as you read an answer key out … Read more
Teachers often have an interest in experiential learning theory not because of what it is, but because of what it does. Experiential learning theory is an umbrella term for a collection of similar theories rather than one singular theory, but there are some commonalities. Most important is the idea that learning through experience is better or more … Read more
We know that learner-centered education is all the rage in education circles, but are there actually hands on learning benefits that outweigh the time it takes to craft these lessons? While we constantly hear about the benefits of hands-on learning, we often end up questioning whether this is really an effective way for young children … Read more
Click above to listen to Episode 37 of the Student-Centered World Podcast: Simplifying Classroom Differentiation (Transcript at the bottom of this page) Differentiation of instruction shouldn’t be the bane of a teacher’s existence. Though there are many ideas for differentiated instruction out there, it seems overwhelming to attempt to do this for every single one … Read more
If you’re like me, it feels like we just started learning about Generation Z and what makes them different from the millennials. However, time waits for no one and we are now diving into looking at the new generation, the Gen Alpha kids. The term Generation Alpha refers to the group of individuals born between … Read more
As teachers, we so often rely on our own experience each year that passes in the classroom when it comes to developing lesson plan ideas. Once 2020 hit, the entire dynamic of education and what that means for the classroom changed, and searching for a lesson plan template that made sense in terms of learning objectives and educational … Read more
The concept of mindfulness in the classroom has become quite a buzz phrase over the past few years in education. This term floats around quite often, but what exactly does mindfulness in the classroom mean and how do you incorporate calming brain breaks into the classroom naturally? As defined by a quick Google search, mindfulness … Read more
If you’ve ever wondered if your administrator has a distinct plan for what to look for when doing a lesson observation or teacher evaluation, you’re not alone (even if you’re not a new teacher). Sometimes they are very specific in their “observing teachers in the classroom checklist” and their expectations, and other times, you are left … Read more
In our last post in our Ultimate Guide to Brain Break Activities series, we took a look at calming brain breaks in the classroom. These particular brain breaks help students achieve a sense of regularity amongst themselves and help bring down an unnecessarily high energy level in the classroom. What about when students need a little pick-me-up? Just as … Read more
We know that our classrooms are not one size fits all. It doesn’t take a special education teacher to interact on a daily basis with neurodivergent students. However, it does take a little extra effort to be proactive and understand how best to support these students. Unfortunately, many general education teachers are not extensively trained … Read more