Self Awareness & Middle School
What is Self-Awareness? In the last 6-7 years, the phrase “Social & Emotional Learning” has taken a gigantic step into the educational landscape. Educators, researchers,
Category: Character Education
Discussing Identity in the Classroom
About five years go, I started piecing together elements of my classroom community that I saw as critical components. I was doing a “ten-year
Thoughts on Supporting Student Dreams
I told my 4th grade teacher that I wanted to be Oprah when I grow up. This was before Oprah was OPRAH, OWN Network, and
Keeping Your Classroom Crisp After a Break
It’s so easy for students to check out after testing and spring break. As teachers we know how critical it is to thread student investment
Nurturing Gratitude in the Classroom
Gratitude: the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. I’ve been exploring student empowerment and voice, and my role
Including Student Voice in the Classroom
When thinking about student voice in my classroom a few things come to mind. The biggest and most important (in my opinion) is the agency
Teaching Empathy in the Classroom
‘Tis the season to teach empathy. From elections to holidays, empathy (IMO) is one of the most under taught/reinforced life habits. As we approach the
The “J” Factor: Positivity from A to Z
Keeping it positive in the classroom can be a challenge. Sometimes it’s difficult to even recognize moments of positivity in the midst of chaos learning.
Quotes and Classroom Inspiration
I am a collector of things! I love a good quote (or hundred) for my classroom. There are three main moments I look/listen for when
Our Why: Daily Teacher Affirmations
Teaching is difficult, but meaningful work. If I am honest, some day THE STRUGGLE IS REAL. Too real. Don’t get me wrong, I love what
