Source: Unsplash I normally write a reflection at the end of the school year. However, given everything that has happened in 2020, I wanted to take a moment to breathe, reflect, and appreciate the incredible resilience our students have shown this past semester. Below are just a few of the experiences I’ve had since August … Continue reading A Special Thanks to 2020 Students
Trying to transition a traditional curriculum to an online setting can be overwhelming especially as we juggle taking care of our own families. The biggest struggle for me has been feeling a constant state of dissatisfaction because I feel like I'm not reaching every student; this has led to a lot of trial & error. … Continue reading 3 Tips to Make Teaching via Videoconferencing more Collaborative & Engaging
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 … Continue reading Coaching Teachers Who Just Don’t Think Like You
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 … Continue reading 2017-2018 Reflection
The national ICE Conference (February 26-28, 2018) was an incredible opportunity learn from incredible teachers, instructional coaches, and administrators from around the U.S. Although the focus was on educational technology I was especially interested in sessions that addressed practical considerations for pedagogy. Here are my Top 10 Takeaways from ICE 2018: 1. Teach Digital Literacy by Modeling … Continue reading Top 10 Takeaways from ICE 2018
Progressive teachers for decades (perhaps centuries!) have long advocated for deemphasizing grades, developing various methods for re-learning concepts & skills, and providing students multiple opportunities to demonstrate learning. These ideas have found a renaissance of sorts with the the recent movement towards standards based grading, mastery learning, competency based learning, and allowing students to submit … Continue reading Teacher’s Sanity: Late Work, Re-Takes, Pacing
I was fortunate to have the opportunity to attend and present at the Global Teachers Institute Axis Summit. The summit was focused on education in South Africa but teachers from all over Africa and America attended. Here ere are some of my key takeaways from the summit: Dawn Oler: Personal Connection & Reflection are … Continue reading 8 Takeaways: Global Axis Summit 2017
Reflections on Teaching & Learning 