How to Make a Simple Pencil Shirt
When it comes to teacher fashion, what do you think of? Does a wonderfully rustic, handmade pencil shirt fit into that first flurry of ideas? Perhaps there are a range of images...
elementary teacher
20+ Ways Teachers Can Beat the Sunday Scaries
My first year teaching-- now almost a decade ago-- I distinctly remember the overwhelming feeling of dread I had preparing to go back to teach after a glorious weeklong respite for Thanksgiving....
How to preserve your favorite classroom memories
You might not think of it now, willing the minutes to crawl at a less glacial pace at the end of a long school day at the end of a long school...
How my last classroom observation was my best
Even though I was a total ball of nerves every time I was formally observed, my last observation was my best– and dare I say, quite enjoyable. Here’s what I did:
4 Signs It’s Time to Leave Your Teaching Job
Teaching is an inspiring and important career-- I'll cheerlead anyone making a positive difference in kids' lives. But if you want to leave? I'll probably encourage you in that, too. Because I've...
How to Prioritize Classroom Safety in Your Substitute Plans
Teachers: Safety for all involved in the school, from the students and staff to visiting parents, is a nonnegotiable. Maybe you do prioritize classroom safety while you're there, but you may not...
Goals I wanted to accomplish leaving teaching the first time
I was a few years into my career when I realized that my life goals outside of my profession were important enough to start getting my focus. It came to a point...
How to Minimize Stress While Substitute Teaching
Substitute teaching has to rank in the uppermost echelons of the random/chaotic jobs list. With each assignment, one is being catapulted into the unknown-- a new classroom, new set of kids (or...
5 Key Phrases for a Smooth Substitute Teaching Day
As substitutes, we never know what the day holds, but with a few strategic, handy phrases, we can set up an environment for success. Managing student and classroom behavior is an unavoidable...