The 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…

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How 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…

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Saying 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…

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Lessons in Flexibility: When Going Off-Plan Leads to Greater Learning

One of the most valuable roles a principal has is to observe teachers and provide meaningful feedback to support their growth. Observations are meant to be opportunities for teachers to reflect and refine their practice. However, I’ve noticed a common trend among educators—they often feel pressured to stick to their lesson plans during observations, even…

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