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…
Read moreManaging vs. Micromanaging: A Lesson in Effective School Leadership
When I first transitioned into a leadership role, I was fortunate to be part of a unique leadership structure that our principal called a “triad.” This structure included the principal, assistant principal, and lead teacher working together to run the school. It wasn’t just a title—each of us had responsibilities that allowed us to collaborate,…
Read moreLessons 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…
Read moreWelcome to the First Edition of Self-Help Sunday for Educators!
Welcome to the very first edition of Self-Help Sunday—a weekly space dedicated to the well-being and self-care of educators. 🌟 Being an educator is one of the most fulfilling yet demanding professions. You’re not just teaching; you’re mentoring, guiding, and often providing emotional support to your students. While you give so much of yourself, it’s…
Read moreUnlocking Student Success with My Favorite Teaching Strategies! 💡
Over the years, I’ve discovered that teaching is truly a dance—a blend of art and science that requires us to be both flexible and intentional. If you’ve been in the classroom long enough, you know that no single strategy works for every student, every day. That’s why I’m a fan of mixing things up and…
Read morePrioritizing Teachers’ Social-Emotional Health
We often talk about meeting the social-emotional needs of our students, but what about our teachers? 💙 Supporting the well-being of educators is just as important! After all, how can teachers pour into their students if their own emotional cups are empty? Creating a school culture that prioritizes teachers’ social-emotional health not only benefits educators…
Read moreLearning to Hire for Growth: A Leadership Lesson
In the early days of my leadership career, I was given a chance to make a big decision—hire an assistant principal. I knew this was a critical role, one that would influence our school’s success and culture. After screening numerous applicants, one candidate stood out. She was dynamic, highly skilled, and had a genuine passion…
Read moreThe Power of Differentiation for Both Students and Teachers 🌟
We all know the benefits of differentiation when it comes to helping students succeed. Tailoring lessons to meet the unique needs of each learner ensures that every student, whether they need extra support or more of a challenge, can thrive in the classroom. But here’s something we don’t talk about enough: just as students need…
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