1. Take Care of Yourself Before I started my teacher training, my advisor, Meira Levinson, asked me to identify a non-negotiable activity that I will do every day, or at least a few times a week, that I find rejuvenating. When you’re drowning in tasks you have to make taking breaks a rule you force
Teaching during a global pandemic has been the most challenging experience of our professional lives. As we pass the first anniversary of schools shifting to hybrid or remote instruction, it’s worth appreciating what we have accomplished through many rounds of trials and tribulations. The silver lining of this tumultuous year—yes, even a tragic global pandemic
During the 4th annual Illinois Council of Instructional Coaching Conference I was able to attend Jane Kise’s keynote: Coaching Teachers Who Just Don’t Think Like You. Although her talk was chock-full of instructional coaching strategies, one insight really stood out: “There are no resistant teachers, but rather, only teachers whose needs during change have not
The end of every school year leaves a gnawing feeling of self-doubt: What more could I have taught my students? How could I have developed their skills further? Did I truly inspire anyone? Did I change how they view themselves or the world? As I sit in front of empty chairs and desks I’m trying
Teachers at predominantly white schools, especially those in conservative communities, may be reluctant to discuss race in the classroom. However, it is precisely in these communities that conversations about how race, ethnicity, and other social identities are critical for broadening students worldview. Here are some ideas on how to have these conversations based on a
Before I close the chapter on this school year, I want to reflect on my successes and failures to learn how I can improve next year. Here are 3 of my takeaways from this school year: #1 Breaking out of our Bubbles: Creating safe but challenging spaces As a Social Studies teacher I often experience how upbringing
Another season of SAT, ACT and AP testing is upon us. Teachers and administrators are beginning to stress whether their students are prepared for the tests and how students’ scores will reflect on their performance. Students are worried the tests will reveal how smart they really are and whether they will be a success of failure
As a son of immigrants, I have lived the exceptional opportunities America provides. As a Social Studies teacher, I have praised the uniqueness of the 240 year democratic experiment that is America. On Election Day, November 8, 2016 I began to question my faith in America. My questions soon turned to self-doubt as to whether I had
Too often, especially technology enthusiasts like me, are excited to try the latest new feature our favorite website or app offers. Whether it is interactive multi-player review games on Quizlet & Kahoot or “advanced differentiated” digital reading programs, we’re always looking for ways to engage our students and improve their learning. Technology can play a powerful
I wanted to start the year not by talking about the course, class expectations or even much of myself. I feel that we—teachers along with students—rarely wonder what’s the purpose of education. This idea was lingering in my mind all summer and I happened to see a Ken Robinson talk specifically on this topic. So,
A colleague just shared an article by William Cronon on the purposes of a Liberal Education. It eloquently argued what characteristics a liberally educated person should have (not what classes they should take or standards they should meet). The 10 traits Cronon identifies are: 1. They listen and they hear. 2. They read and they
Dear Students, Parents and Guardians, Throughout the year teachers are constantly sharing what they know with students, learning from students and assessing what students learned. However, rarely do I find (or, more accurately, make) the time to think about and share what I learned. I want to get in the habit of doing that. So,
The classrooms are empty, hallways silent and each final grade recorded. Yet, the school year feels incomplete. When I was younger and a student in school I was the type of person who was actually a little sad when school was over for the year. That student is still in my classroom. As sometimes happens,
Glazed eyes and drooping heads–bored students are the bane of any teacher’s existence. That is why I read Daniel Willingham’s book with the provocative title: Why Don’t Students Like Schools? I found his suggestions for remembering and teaching skills especially fascinating. STUDENTS: What do you think of Willingham’s suggestions–which of them do you think would
The following are notes from an excellent book by Angeline Lillard on the philosophy and practice of Montessori Education. Learning about Montessori Education made me wonder: Is Montessori Education just good educational practice that all teachers should be applying? What portions of the model should be applied to a high school setting? What are the shortcomings/downfalls
I just read an article, An A+ Student Regrets his Grades, that reminded me of my own schooling and reminded me what I aspire to be as an educator. The passages that resonated with me most were: “Education is not confined to the walls of a classroom; it stretches well beyond that. Valuing success above all
How often do we allow students to pursue their passions? How often do we let students’ curiosity drive their learning? I know I have often been guilty of deciding what my students study and how they study the topics in our curriculum. That has started to change after I read Dan Pink’s Drive. In his
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrkrvAUbU9Y&w=560&h=315] I hope to apply his ideas through more innovative projects this semester. Specifically, I want students to pose more questions and think of more authentic ways of demonstrating their learning.
A constant concern I have as an educator is the fact that I can usually predict what grade a student will earn at the end of the year after just a couple weeks. Namely, I can generally identify which students have the habits necessary to succeed as the school defines it. However, this also
I just saw this video about the Khan Academy. I have been reading about it for the last couple years and have mixed feelings. I don’t want to replace lecture in the classroom with a lecture on the computer. But his ideas on how Khan Academy and similar endeavors can help do more project based,
For the past few years I have been reading other teachers’ blogs and have found it invaluable to my growth as a teacher. Too often, I find myself applying ideas and taking risks that some teachers at my own school do not immediately encourage. There are a number of excellent teachers, but I haven’t had sufficient