Teacher stress is at an all-time high. Teacher morale is at an all-time low. This is the moment when we need support. There are many types of support – instructional support, administrative support, community support etc. Teachers need all these supports to be effective and successful. But there is another kind of support that is desperately needed – emotional support. How do you build an emotional support system for yourself as a teacher? Who should be in your support community? Here’s how to build your support network so you can cope with high stress and low-morale for this school year and beyond.
[Read more…]Encouraging the Hearts of Students
As teachers, we create the climate in our classrooms. If we are negative, our students will react. If we are positive, our students will react. Students react to the energy we bring and the climate we set. Through our actions as their teacher – the leader of the classroom, we set the tone for learning, encouragement, and mutual respect…or something else.
The day to day pattern of the climate we set becomes the culture of our classroom. We know that the classroom culture can help kids thrive, or tear them down. There is tremendous power in this – and tremendous responsibility. [Read more…]
The Important Thing About Teaching
One of the most used books in my teaching library is “The Important Book” by Margaret Wise Brown. Have you read it? It’s simple – a repetitive format for identifying the important thing about a set of objects in life. But I’ve used it with students more times than I can count! Students got so good at writing “Important Poems” that we would even write these as a ticket out for the day’s lesson! But let’s switch the script and talk about how you can use this amazing book to be intentional, encouraging, and reflective. [Read more…]
Fostering Your Learning Community
Most teachers by now are part of a professional learning community (PLC) – a community or team of teachers that encourage professional growth and reflection on your teaching practice. You may also be part of a professional learning network of your online colleagues from around the globe.
But have you ever thought about having a personal learning community? I submit that a personal learning community is just as important as your professional learning community. What is it, you ask? Let’s explore.