As educators, we’re often focused on the well-being of our students, but how often do we pause to think about our own mental and emotional health? With the demands of teaching, it’s easy to get caught up in the grind and forget to take care of ourselves. That’s why this Self Help Sunday, I’m spotlighting some…
Read moreThe Power of Building Relationships with Students—Beyond Academics
As educators, we often focus on academic success and classroom management, but some of the most impactful moments come from building genuine relationships with our students—moments that extend far beyond their grades or lesson plans. I’ve learned through my own experiences that sometimes, the most powerful ways we help students are not necessarily academic. One…
Read moreHow to Avoid First-Year Teacher Burnout
Your first year of teaching is an exciting time full of learning, growth, and new experiences. But it can also be overwhelming. Between lesson planning, managing the classroom, meeting the needs of every student, and keeping up with administrative tasks, it’s easy for new teachers to feel burned out. Burnout can impact your passion for…
Read moreSupporting Our New Teachers: A Systemic Responsibility
Today, I had the opportunity to meet with a first-year teacher who is part of our district’s new teacher induction program. I frequently reach out to see if anyone needs help or assistance, and this teacher had requested a meeting because she felt overwhelmed. During our conversation, she shared her concerns about classroom management and…
Read moreThe Power of Vulnerability in Educational Leadership
As educational leaders, one of the most critical components of effective leadership is trust. Building trust with your teachers is not only about providing feedback and resources—it’s about building authentic relationships. Yesterday, during a presentation with district and school-level administrators and teachers, we discussed how trust is built through genuine connections, and I was reminded…
Read moreLeading with Purpose: Creating Meaningful Goals for Students, Teachers, and Parents
After years of creating school goals that were mostly focused on ELA and math—and admittedly, just to check the box—I realized something crucial: unless the goals are specific to a department, subject area, grade, teacher, or even individual students, they aren’t very meaningful. That year, we decided to become a goal-centered school, where every part of…
Read moreSelf Help Sunday: Cultivating a Growth Mindset for Personal and Professional Well-Being
Self Help Sunday: Cultivating a Growth Mindset for Personal and Professional Well-Being As educators, we’re constantly encouraging our students to embrace a growth mindset—seeing challenges as opportunities and understanding that effort leads to mastery. But how often do we apply this philosophy to our own lives, both professionally and personally? Recently, I was reminded of…
Read moreSaturday Teacher Tips: Improving Classroom Management After the First Term
The first term has come and gone, and now is the perfect time to reflect on your classroom management strategies. If things haven’t gone as smoothly as you hoped, don’t worry—this is a common challenge for many educators. The key is recognizing that it’s never too late to make adjustments. Whether the initial plan wasn’t…
Read moreSaying One Thing, Doing Another: A Constructivism vs. Instructivism Dilemma
I recently had an eye-opening conversation with an educational colleague in Brazil that left me reflecting deeply on our teaching practices. During our discussion, he shared an interesting yet concerning reality about Brazilian schools. According to him, Brazilian schools are supposed to be practicing constructivism—an educational philosophy that emphasizes student-centered learning, hands-on activities, and collaborative problem-solving. The…
Read moreA Beautiful Beginning: Reflections on My Daughter’s Wedding Day and the Unseen Impact of Teachers
“To love is nothing. To be loved is something. But to love and be loved, that’s everything.” – T. Tolis Yesterday was a day filled with love and joy as my daughter married her best friend. The ceremony was simple and intimate, held in the park beside the local courthouse. It was just the two…
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