The phrase “classroom management” often makes high school teachers, especially new teachers, cringe, conjuring images of rigid control and constant discipline battles. However, the reality is that effective classroom management is the cornerstone of a positive learning environment where student learning and academic achievement can flourish. High school students are young adults with diverse individual … 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.) How often have you been affected by a comment from a colleague, a parent online, or even a friend that challenged your … Read more
Click above to listen to Podcast Episode 24: “Determining Teacher Timing“ Educators today face a monumental task: managing effective lesson planning amidst constantly shifting schedules. The move to hybrid and unpredictable models has made teacher time management more critical than ever. Mastering new teacher time management tips is essential to not only survive but thrive … Read more
I remember my first year of teaching like it was yesterday, but the truth is, I walked into that classroom in 2007 with a history degree, a stack of lesson plans I’d spent all summer perfecting, and absolutely no idea how to actually manage a room full of teenagers. I taught at a nationally ranked academic school … Read more
Drafting a philosophy for classroom management can feel overwhelming because it asks you to answer a deceptively simple question: What kind of teacher do you want to be? The answer isn’t found in a single set of classroom rules or a pre-packaged behavior chart. It’s a living document, shaped by your core beliefs about how … Read more
Click above to listen to podcast episode 58: “Classroom Management Skills Necessary for Success“ A simple Google search for “classroom management skills” reveals a landscape that is not only plentiful but overwhelmingly complex. For educators at any grade level, from high school to the purview of university teachers, the quest to find a system that … Read more
If we can agree on anything, it’s that COVID-19 made its mark on education. Good, bad, and indifferent, our classrooms were thrown for a loop and are still settling into what the “new normal” actually means. I’ve spent the past several years training K-12 teachers across the country, and the question I hear more than … Read more
Let me start with something that might sound strange: Teacher motivation is not a feeling. It’s a skill. You can learn it, lose it, and rebuild it…if you know what drains it in the first place. Over the last few years, I’ve watched too many good people leave teaching. The teacher shortage is real, and … Read more
As another vacation slips away from us, it is hard to realize that we are already at the point to welcome to back to school all our students for another year of learning and fun. I hope all of you had a good, safe summer with plenty of time to relax, enjoy friends and loved … Read more
DonorsChoose is the most trusted crowdfunding platform dedicated to supporting public school teachers across the United States. Founded in 2000, this nonprofit organization connects educators with individual donors, corporate partners, and citizen donors who want to fund classroom projects that enhance students’ learning. Unlike other fundraising platforms, DonorsChoose vets every teacher request to ensure legitimacy, … Read more
Building a positive classroom environment is essential for fostering relationships and boosting morale among students. Classroom DIY projects are a great way to achieve this while adding a personal touch to your classroom decor. These activities not only encourage creativity but also help students feel more connected to their learning space. Below, we’ve organized easy projects for elementary, middle, and high … Read more
Learned helplessness is a psychological condition where individuals, after repeated exposure to uncontrollable events, develop a sense of helplessness and stop trying to change their circumstances, even when opportunities arise. This concept was first introduced by Martin Seligman and Steven Maier in the late 1960s at the University of Pennsylvania through experiments with dogs in a shuttle box. The dogs subjected to inescapable shocks eventually stopped trying to escape, even … Read more