Sometimes, the things I write are published on Bored Teachers. Like this piece, 5 unique ways teachers can earn PD hours. Other times, though, the things I write are too...what? Controversial? Over-the-top? Inappropriate? Whatever the word, sometimes the things I write don't sit well with my Bored ... » Learn More about I’m Sorry, You Make How Much for Doing WHAT?!
DIY
Tell Me You Have Children Without Telling Me You Have Children
This post was sponsored by Window Covering Safety Council as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own. Tell me you have children without telling me you have children. I’ll go first: That's not how this works. That's not how any of ... » Learn More about Tell Me You Have Children Without Telling Me You Have Children
Stuff Teachers Wish They Could Still Do, But, Alas, Cannot
via GIPHY Typically, I tend to embrace change. I feel like shaking things up every now and then is good for growth and learning in both our personal and professional lives. Too often we get caught in the stagnate waters of sameness, never risking comfort for the sake of a new ... » Learn More about Stuff Teachers Wish They Could Still Do, But, Alas, Cannot
What’s to Blame for the High Teacher Turnover Rate? I Have Thoughts.
The pandemic has changed life as we know it. The way we shop, the way we socialize, the way we can't build anything because wood costs one million dollars. Education has undoubtedly been hit hard. Despite in-person learning resuming for the most part, now school districts are struggling to fill ... » Learn More about What’s to Blame for the High Teacher Turnover Rate? I Have Thoughts.
Before Freaking the Freak Out on Your Kid’s Teacher, Consider These 5 Things…
A weird thing happened at the beginning of the pandemic. If only for a brief moment in time, it seemed like the rest of the world appreciated teachers. Parents almost--DARE I SAY!--respected us! But, as per usual, teachers quickly went from hero to zero as the pandemic wore on and frustrated ... » Learn More about Before Freaking the Freak Out on Your Kid’s Teacher, Consider These 5 Things…
It’s Time for That End of the School Year F*ckery!
Fellow teachers will attest to the increased levels of nonsense that accompany the end of every school year. For example, we've got the truant students who reappear only to ask for extra credit. Personally, I like to remind them that the "extra" they're requesting implies they've previously earned ... » Learn More about It’s Time for That End of the School Year F*ckery!
Attitudes are Caught, Not Taught: The Fred Method & Future of Learning
Pittsburgh's Mister Rogers conjures up ideals of kindness, patience, and optimism. Those of us who grew up in his Neighborhood of Make-Believe are well-versed in his lessons on sharing, friendship, and inclusivity. We all know and love him for being the every-child advocate he was. The name Fred ... » Learn More about Attitudes are Caught, Not Taught: The Fred Method & Future of Learning
Alphabetizing, Organizing, & Other Things Teachers Weirdly Enjoy
As a kid living in my parents' house, I derived insane amounts of pleasure from rearranging my bedroom. It was like as soon as that dresser was moved to the other side of the room, I WAS A NEW PERSON. I rearranged my bookshelves on the regular. Sometimes alphabetically, sometimes by genre, other ... » Learn More about Alphabetizing, Organizing, & Other Things Teachers Weirdly Enjoy
Hey Parents, Let’s Try Less Fixing & More Listening
Letting our kids flounder and fail is a hard but necessary part of parenting. As a teacher, I've encountered my fair share of "fixers:" parents who want to save their child from the fight. Of course I'm not talking about a fight that leads to unsafe situations or harm; I'm talking about the kind of ... » Learn More about Hey Parents, Let’s Try Less Fixing & More Listening
Things Teachers Say or Think Every Morning
During my first year of teaching, we had to send a hard copy of our homeroom attendance to the office before a certain time to ensure attendance bulletins were accurate. I would forget to send my attendance by the deadline, on average, twice a week. I spent many a'day apologizing to our superhero ... » Learn More about Things Teachers Say or Think Every Morning