Learning Curve: One Teacher's Inspirational Story

By Diana Eastman

It was my very first year teaching, and I was a nervous wreck. Fresh out of college, I had my diploma, my brand-spankin' new ID badge and a plan to change the world. I was excited about working in a Title I school and (thought) I was prepared for the challenges that came with it. What would the students think about a young, white teacher coming into their class? What would the veteran teachers think of this young, innovative teacher with exactly 0 years experience? As scared as I was, I pushed through my apprehension and walked into class that first day like. a. boss.

I fell in love with the conscious discipline teaching strategy and implemented it into my class from day one. I quickly created a class of eager learners who felt appreciated, loved, and important. Although each student had his/her unique struggles and weaknesses, we created a solid family environment based on trust, consistency, and love.

But although my students undoubtedly felt important, empowered and loved, nothing could make up for my lack of experience in the art of teaching. As instructed, we focused solely on the importance of the standardized tests, and I worked diligently to ensure everyone was prepared for the big day. As the testing season rolled around, I hid my nervousness and apprehension in silly songs, educational raps, and whole brain learning techniques that I was sure would help them ace the test. When the big day came, I left a note on each of their desks reminding them that they were ready for this.

Weeks went by as we impatiently waited for the results. And then they came in, and my heart sank. I felt like I was going to throw up. 7 of my students failed. 7. That was half of my class. Before I could pack up my things and run away forever, my principal called me into her office. I couldn’t help but bawl my eyes out and assure her over and over that if she needed to fire me, I totally understood. Through the tears (both hers and mine) she assured me that I was not out of a job and that I had something special that these kids needed. Were the scores great? No. Was she sure I was the right person for the job? Absolutely.

I was sick to my stomach for days. How could this happen? How could I have let them down? They needed me, they trusted me, and I felt like I had failed them. Then, an idea hit me. I’d never been the kind to cower away from a problem or play the victim. I may have fallen short, but I had an opportunity to fix it. I sat down at my desk with the list of seven children who failed. I took a deep breath and called their parents. With each ring, I wanted to hang up, but I gripped the phone and waited for the “Hello?”

I explained, through tears, to each parent how responsible I felt and how I had to make it right. They tried to make me feel better by saying I was a first-year teacher or that I did my best, but for me, that wasn’t enough. I asked each parent if I could tutor their child over the summer, for free, so they would be better prepared to take the make-up test. Five out of the seven took me up on my offer, and for the first time, I could breathe.

Throughout the summer I drove to houses, apartments and public parks to sit with these eager learners and help them understand. They cherished the special one-on-one attention and were thankful for the individualized learning plan I created for each of them. I bonded with them over the summer and got to know them on a deeper level. One was the oldest of 6 kids and as an eight-year-old was already responsible for watching over the little ones. One had just lost his mother to cancer; another had to reschedule our visits so he could visit his father and brother in jail. These were good kids, smart kids, enthusiastic kids, who just needed someone to put a little extra effort into them.

I called each of them the night before their test and told them how proud I was of them. I encouraged them to take their time, read slowly, and remember the techniques and tools we had practiced. And then I waited. This second round of waiting was more excruciating than the first. I had no Plan C. I had no idea what I would do if they all failed. I would be embarrassed and defeated, and I couldn’t let myself think about it for too long.

Weeks later, driving home, my phone rang. It was an unidentified number, and usually, I don’t pick up. But I did this time. It was the sweet voice of one of my students, calling to tell me she had passed. I could hear the smile in her voice and her mother’s laughter in the background. I had to pull over; I could not drive through my tears.

One by one, each student called to share the good news. All of them had passed. They thanked me over and over, but I reminded them that THEY were the ones who accepted the help, stayed consistent, and worked hard. We made a good team, but they put in the effort, and they should feel so proud of themselves.

Things got better each year after that. I learned that teaching the standards and passing the test is important, but not as important as the bonds we create and the relationships we form with our students. I learned to dig deep into each student to find out more about who they are as a person so I can better serve them as a student.

As teachers, it is our job to see the strengths and unique characteristics of every student in our class and to see them as more than just data and a test score. We must continue to do more than is expected to reach all of our students, to make them feel capable, valuable and confident. If I had to do it all over again, I would not change a thing.

Our kids are more than just test scores. And I’d go through the humiliation, defeat, and heartbreak of half of my class failing again in a second if it meant finding a way to make students see their full potential.

5 Ways to Respond to Students Who Say "I'm not good at this."

By Diana Eastman

The role of the teacher is to inspire, educate, encourage, challenge, and love their students. In classrooms across the country, great teachers walk the fine line between pushing their students to reach their potential and backing off so they don’t shut down. Students express frustration in many different ways, and it is important for students to feel safe expressing these things in their classroom. Here are 5 things you can do the next time a student wants to throw in the towel and give up.

The Power Of Yet
Yet. A little, three letter word that holds so much power. When a student says something like...
•    I’m not good at this
•    I don’t understand this
•    I don’t get this
•    I’m not fast

Adding “yet” to the end of the sentence changes the sentence and helps them see that although they aren’t getting it right now, they will. It doesn’t undermine their frustration, it validates their feelings, and shows them that what they are currently struggling with is a starting point, and with persistence, they will master the skill. “Yet” adds confidence and power to a student who feels defeated. Gently correct them by saying “You don’t understand this, YET” When they do make progress, remind them of how frustrated they were and how far they’ve come.

Get Rid Of Can’t
Ban the word "can’t" from your classroom. Let students know from the beginning that can’t is a word for the weak, and it has no place in your classroom. Brainstorm other ways to express what they are trying to say that foster encouragement and diligence. Students can say “I’m currently struggling with…” or “I’m confused about…” to take control of the situation. Teaching students to use positive and affirming phrases when they speak about themselves will help create a more positive mindset that will help them tackle issues down the road.

Create a Safe Place
Sometimes students feel overwhelmed in the classroom and just need a brain break. Even as adults, sometimes walking away from something that makes us feel frustrated is all we need to come back to the issue with a fresh perspective. Create a place in your classroom where students can take a breather or remove themselves from the problem. Make it clear that they aren’t in trouble, and that sometimes getting out of the situation helps with patience, clarity, and focus.

Don’t Rush To Save Them
As tempting as it can be to dive in and rescue your sweet little students from their despair, it’s important to validate their feeling without jumping in and solving their problem. Remind them that it is okay to feel frustrated or overwhelmed and that you’re there to help them through it. Tell them how good they will feel when they finally grasp the concept, and that you believe in them. The art of teaching is about providing students with the tools they need to feel confident and capable.

Your words matter. How you react when a student feels discouraged and frustrated will either set them on a course of persistence and confidence or leave them feeling unworthy and incapable. Using these techniques will help your students see themselves as you see them: smart, capable, and determined.

What Makes a Great Teacher

By Ryan Crawley

A great teacher can change a student’s life forever. But ask a hundred different students the question of what makes a great teacher, and you will probably get about a hundred different answers. (Of course, one of the top answers will be about how some teachers do not hand out as much homework.) The same goes for asking the same question to adults. Everyone has an opinion on why there are certain teachers that stand out above the rest. The following are some of the main reasons that students love their teachers.

Kindness
There is the old saying that someone may not remember what you said over time, but they will always remember how you made them feel. This is definitely true for teachers. Senior citizens can still recall tales from their years in school, and much of it is based on how certain teachers treated them. A bit of kindness to students can go a long way. It may even inspire them to show that same kindness to others as they get older.

Encouragement
All teachers expect the best out of their students. The great teachers provide the encouragement needed for them to achieve their bests. Sometimes it is done through a friendly pep talk. Other times it is accomplished by a stern lecture about not settling for less. Expecting the best and encouraging the best are two different things.

Differentiate Teaching Styles
Educators that teach straight out of the textbook are a dime a dozen. Textbooks should be viewed as supplemental material, not as the be all and end all of learning in the classroom. Students learn in different ways. Some learn best by reading, some by video, some by lecture, some by group learning, some by discussion, and others through technology. It is up to the teacher to present these separate learning styles into one classroom. Teach to the student’s strengths, while improving their weaknesses at the same time.

Make Sacrifices
The most valuable thing we all have is time. It takes time at home to create interesting lesson plans. It takes time to get to know your students better through casual conversation. It takes time to answer all emails from parents every single day. But there are also other sacrifices great teachers make. We feed hungry students with our own money, and never expect to be paid back. We purchase classroom supplies for students, rich or poor, that just never seem to have the right supplies needed. We make an effort to develop a relationship with our students that many times is stronger than the one that they have with their parents.

Prepare Students for the Future
Teachers need to make sure their students are ready for the 21st century. This means that technology must be used frequently in the classroom. There is a time and place for paper mache, but wouldn’t students be better off making a PowerPoint presentation on our solar system rather than a globe pinata? A great teacher shares valuable skills that will improve the lives of their students. This includes teaching manners, since it appears there is sometimes a lack of appropriate manners being taught at home. A simple thank you can go a long ways in our society.

Interests Outside the Classroom
Students always remember the teachers that speak with them about their interests in life. If an educator expresses a willingness to discuss what is going on in each student’s life, the kids remember it. Teachers that attend their students’ sporting events are remembered for this. Educators that make an effort to support their students in and out of the classroom are rare, so when one steps forward and does this, they are making themselves stand out from the rest. The students will remember this forever.

A Sense of Humor
One major aspect of a successful teacher is the ability to retain a sense of humor even in the most trying times. As educators, we realize there are many stressful moments throughout each school day. Sometimes it is for the students, other times it is for the teachers, and once in awhile even for the parents. Realizing that all of this is not life or death, that we will survive these difficult times, enables the students to stay cool as well in difficult moments. Being able to joke and laugh with the students shows them that everyone is human. Joking with someone is an easy way to show them you care more about them than just what grades they are receiving in class.


Ryan Crawley is a writer/educator from Illinois. Born into a family of eleven, he spent most of his childhood watching old reruns of Three's Company and Happy Days. He has his Masters in Reading and Literacy, and is a certified Reading Specialist. He spends his free time writing, working out, and hanging with his two dogs Flair and Smoosh Face. 

7 Happy Hour Topics Teachers Can Discuss Besides School

By Diana Eastman

We’ve all been there. We text our teacher friends to meet us at our favorite happy hour spot, and we all swear we won’t bring up grades or students or curriculum or anything else that is school related. 

And then 8 minutes in, we’re discussing IEP’s and math standards and test scores. So the next time you’re out with your teacher friends and swear not to talk about school stuff, here are 7 fun things you can talk about besides school: 

Start A Band 
Go around the table and take turns listing the first two objects that come to mind to create the name of the next indie rock band. Will it be Fork Pepper? Iphone Wallet? Or maybe Napkin Purse? After everyone goes, take a vote to see who wins! Chances are, the name of the band will forever be an inside joke between you. 

Lip Sync Fun 
Pick a person or group of people across the room and make up a conversation for them based on their facial expressions and body language. Don’t get too crazy or they'll catch you! 

Hobbies and Interests 
Since you’re not talking about work, talk about what you do when you’re not working. Ask people about their favorite sports teams, hobbies, favorite movies and what they do on the weekends (besides lesson plan and grade papers). Ask about pets, people love talking about their four-legged family members. 

Travel 
Share your best and worst travel story. Tell ‘em about the time the kid threw up on you on the plane (wait until after dinner for this one) and then tell them about the time you faced your fear of heights and went bungee jumping. Find out who has traveled the farthest, compare travel methods (road trips vs. air travel) and share tips on where to go and what to do. 

The Good Ol’ Days 
Start naming things that remind you of your childhood, and people will quickly join in your game of “remember when.” Before there were fidget spinners and Snapchat, what did you do to stay entertained? Discuss horrible fashion trends that you’re embarrassed you tried or toys/gadgets that you loved the most. Even if your peers are of all different ages, talking about the good ol' days is something everyone can get in on. 

Most Embarrassing Moments 
Muster up the courage to share one of your most embarrassing moments with the group. It shows vulnerability and trust, while also providing a pretty good laugh for everyone else. After you share, someone else may share theirs, and you may learn a few new things about your coworkers that you never knew before. 

Would You Rather? 
Get peoples’ brains working by asking “Would You Rather?” type questions. You’ll learn a lot about your coworkers when you hear some of their answers. Saying “Neither” or “None” isn’t an option, they have to pick one! Here are a few to get you started: 

 • Would you rather have a dog with a cat’s personality or a cat with a dog’s personality? 

• Would you rather have a Lamborghini in your garage or a bookcase with 9000 books?  

• Would you rather have free Wi-Fi wherever you go or have free coffee where/whenever you want? 

 • Would you rather have no one to show up for your Wedding or your funeral? 

Talking about favorite foods, places, movies, music, and celebrities are all great ways to get to know your co-workers and avoid talking about work. Chances are, the conversation will flow towards work since that is what you all have in common, and mentioning a funny story or observation about your day isn’t off limits, but don’t let it linger there. Instead, use some of these creative ideas to re-direct the conversation so you’re talking about things that really matter to everyone and that help form deeper connections between coworkers.

Tech Alternatives to Traditional Homework

By Ryan Crawley

Most teachers tend to give homework to their students like their life depended on it. Students slipping out of the classroom at the end of the day without homework just is not allowed. Why do teachers do this? Why do they overload their students with busy work disguised as essential homework? It’s because this has always been done in education. It’s because some educators look at other teachers that give very little homework as not doing their job. It’s because educators encouraging students to think outside the box is viewed as excellent teaching, but a teacher going against the norm is frowned upon.

I’ll admit it. I am an educator, and I do not assign much homework. (I’ll wait patiently until the booing ends from other teachers.) I only assign it when it is essential for students that are failing to grasp certain concepts. I grade way too many papers already, so why would I want to grade more? I also hand them certain books they must read for independent reading time at home. The homework standard endorsed by the National Education Association and the National Parent-Teacher Association is the so-called "10-minute rule". (Much different than the ten-second rule that is common when food falls on the floor.)

They say the appropriate amount is ten minutes per grade level per night. This means 10 minutes of homework for first-grade students, 20 minutes for the second grade, and all the way up to 120 minutes per night for seniors in high school. The NEA and the National PTA does not recommend homework for kindergarten. My belief is that more than an hour of homework a night, even for high school students, is a bit of an overkill. After all, Finland schools are some of the very best in the world, and they have little if any homework every night.

There are alternatives to assigning the regular homework every night. In doing so, it will stress out the students and their parents much less. Teachers give students worksheets for homework almost every night. Students are used to this. This is why they groan when they get these sort of homework assignments. It is time to change it all up! Let’s look at alternatives to traditional homework using only technology.

Email Homework
Every teacher has a school email address. We have them for communication purposes. So let’s have the students email us as their alternative homework. If the students don’t have an email address, their parents sure do. Ask them to send a link to a website that goes along with what was discussed in class. This alternative to homework can be used for any subject area. Then you can carry it over, and the students can present their website to the class the next day.

Google Docs
In case you have not jumped on the EdTech bandwagon, Google Docs is a free Web-based application in which documents, presentations, and spreadsheets can be created, edited, and stored automatically online. Files can be accessed from any computer in the world with an Internet connection. They can be shared quickly with anyone as well.

How simple would it be to ask students to create a presentation using Google Docs on what they learned in certain chapters in any content area? This could be their entire homework for the week. No need to overload them. Then on Friday, all the students can display their presentations.

Google Docs could be used for all homework assignments. There would be no need to hand out worksheets for homework any longer. Save all those millions and millions of trees from being cut down and used as paper just for your homework assignments! The environment will thank you!

Use Websites for Homework
Ask students to spend ten minutes a night on certain websites like Spelling City for spelling words or Grammar Gorilla for parts of speech. Homework is supposed to be used to strengthen skills. If a student does not do well on the quiz at the end of the week in these subject areas after you asked them to spend time at home on these sites, it will be pretty obvious they did not follow your directions. However, they are only hurting themselves! Talk to them one-on-one after the poor quiz performance and lay on the teacher guilt trip.

Tech Math Homework
I know some teachers are reading this right now and saying all of these ideas are great, but math homework has to be completed through math worksheets. I say, “Welcome to the Internet!” There are numerous free sites that students can visit to practice all the different math concepts. Funbrain is a perfect one for younger learners. Math Blaster incorporates video games along with learning math. Hooda Math is another great one that uses games to learn math skills. There are literally hundreds of sites that can be used to practice mathematics. Put those worksheets that you accumulated throughout the years in the back of the room for students that are just sitting there doing nothing in class. That way they still have a purpose!

Ryan Crawley is a writer/educator from Illinois. Born into a family of eleven, he spent most of his childhood watching old reruns of Three's Company and Happy Days. He has his Masters in Reading and Literacy, and is a certified Reading Specialist. He spends his free time writing, working out, and hanging with his two dogs Flair and Smoosh Face. 

6 Teacher Instagram Accounts You Totally Need To Stalk

By Diana Eastman

Sometimes after a long day at work all you want to do is sit back with a glass of wine and mindlessly scroll through Facebook and Instagram, liking pictures of other people’s cats and double-tapping on recipes you know you’ll never have time to make. For teachers, Instagram opens up a world of possibilities and a wealth of knowledge and resources that can be helpful for a successful classroom. If you’re not already following these 6 Teacher Instagram accounts, you should be. Like them, stalk them, share them. Your teacher friends (and your students) will thank you.

Teachers Pay Teachers
So many teachers have made major bucks using this tool to sell their ideas and resources to other teachers. If you’re particularly proud of a worksheet, interactive notebook video lessons, center ideas, educational games, or test review you’ve created, why not share it and get paid? This is an excellent resource for teachers to support each other while making money on things they’re using for their own classrooms anyway.

Target Teachers
Raise your hand if you don’t like shopping at Target. Nobody? That's what I thought. Target can be a teacher’s paradise, and this helpful Instagram account shares creative classroom ideas with the things found at Target. This cuts down on time you spend aimlessly wandering the aisles and allows you to create some really fun and innovative classroom ideas.

The Amy Groesbeck
This lighthearted and funny blog by third-grade teacher Amy Groesbeck chronicles the secret lives of teachers in an honest and humorous way. Her math themed t-shirts, organizational ideas, and colorful pictures of school supplies will make any teacher double-tap all day long

Teaching Humor
When your non-teacher spouse or friends don’t laugh at your teacher jokes, you need to go somewhere where you’re understood. Introducing: the Teacher Humor Instagram account. Created by teachers for teachers, this Instagram is loaded with relatable memes about the necessity of coffee, the countdown to Friday and dealing with a classroom of crazies.

Kesler Science
Kesler Science makes every teacher wish they were a science teacher. With inspirational quotes from scientists and science experiment ideas you’ll want to try on your own; this is the page to stalk for engaging and interactive ideas for any science classroom.

MathGiraffe
Colorful printouts, innovative ideas, and practical resources make this Insta account every math teacher’s dream come true. With ideas that are both creative and rigorous for a variety of grade levels, MathGiraffe helps teachers find new and memorable ways to introduce math concepts to kids.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Parent-Teacher Conferences   

By Ryan Crawley 

Parent-teacher conferences happen every school year. Some school districts have them once a year, while others have them twice a year. It is a chance for teachers and parents to discuss the progress of their children. Behavior problems, if there are any, are also brought up during this time.

That’s what is suppose to happen during these conferences. As any veteran teacher will tell you, though, this is not what always transpires. The chances for the ridiculous are quite high. The possibility of something strange occurring is actually a probability. The least likely thing you can think of materializing out of a simple meeting with the parents can leave you questioning your sanity for the rest of the school year.

Time in a Bottle
Most parent conferences go very well. All issues and concerns are addressed properly and the parent assures the teacher that they will work with their child on these problems. Ninety percent of all parent-teacher meetings go off without a hitch. The parents leave and the teacher feels like they have acquired a new friend. You know it was a good conference when the parent actually offers their service to help supervise field trips and give their time to come in during holiday room parties! Time is the most valuable commodity we have, and when parents offer theirs, they are truly involved in the education of not just their child, but others as well.

Speed Dating Conferences
As a teacher that has held his fair share of conferences over the years, it is always a good thing to have a timer on your desk. Set the timer for ten minutes and start it as soon as the conference starts. This way the parent knows they only have so long to talk before the next conference has to start.

Being a male primary Reading Specialist in one school district, I usually had thirty to forty conferences scheduled just because I was helping so many students improve their literacy skills. It always seemed that over half of these conferences were with single moms. Quite a few of the students I saw were behind in their reading achievement because they had only one parent at home to offer support.

During my conferences with these single moms, there were quite a few amusing moments. I always sat down with them at a small table with us facing each other, and their child’s reading assessment results between us. One time, a mother decided to push the papers out of the way and take my hand in hers. She said that her child loved me, and that she could see why. I fake sneezed my way out of that one.

Another conference left me feeling a bit violated. I was meeting with a single mom about her child that I had been helping for the last three years. This was our fifth conference in total between the two of us.

As I began by informing her of her child’s score and reviewing the research-based strategies that I had been using, she slowly reached out her hand and put her finger up against my lips in a shushing motion. I sat there in surprise as she held her finger there and continued by telling me that the only reason she has come to these conferences the last few years is so she could spend time with me.

She proceeded to say that she was not interested in hearing about her child’s reading progress. She wanted to discuss the possibility of a relationship forming between her and me instead. When she finally took her finger away from my lips, I still sat there in complete silence for a minute longer. Luckily, I am a fast thinker and excused myself to the bathroom. Next, I did a very grown-up thing by hiding in the restroom until the timer went off signaling the end of that conference.

Most of the conferences with single mothers went very well, though. The moms were very respectful and thankful for my work with their kid. They were concerned about their child’s struggles with their literacy skills, and they would do anything to help them. Unfortunately, it was just difficult with only one parent at home.

Bribery
Once I left my position as a Reading Specialist and became a primary classroom teacher, for the first time I had to start giving grades to my students. I shouldn’t really say “give” because the students always received the grade they deserved. I expected them to try their best on all the work that they did.

Every now and then during the parent-teacher conferences, one of the parents would express their disappointment in a low grade that their child had received. They would ask how they might be able to fix that low score and raise it to a better mark. They would usually say things in a generality where it would be hard to prove they were trying to bribe me for a better grade, but they were definitely insinuating it.

In one such conference, a mother and father were detailing how their girl had always received all A’s on every report card. However, in one subject, on her last report card, I had given their child a B+. They proclaimed that their girl was devastated by it.

It was unfortunate since this student always tried her best, listened well in class, and never misbehaved. If I would have known she had only ever had A’s on her report card, I probably would have bumped her grade up to an A- since it was just a one point difference. With other students I would have never thought twice about keeping it a B+, but with her, if I would have realized, I would gladly had changed it to an A-. I told her parents that as well.

The next day, as I arrived at school, sitting on my desk was a very nice-sized gift card. The parents of the girl placed a short note next to it. The note basically said that the gift card could be used for classroom expenses if I chose to use it for that purpose. As I placed the gift card in my wallet, I wondered if this was how corrupt government officials had started on their road to downfall. Was it a gift or was it a bribe for next time?

And the Rest
These were not my only awkward conferences. I acquire many new ones every year that I teach. I’ve had everything from a father challenging me to a fight because I said his son had a tendency to be a bully to parents bringing me in dinner for their conference time. You just never know what you are going to get! But after every conference, a teacher can kind of see why the child is the way they are, be it for the good or bad, after spending time with parents.

Ryan Crawley is a writer/educator from Illinois. Born into a family of eleven, he spent most of his childhood watching old reruns of Three's Company and Happy Days. He has his Masters in Reading and Literacy, and is a certified Reading Specialist. He spends his free time writing, working out, and hanging with his two dogs Flair and Smoosh Face. 

5 Morning Routines To Get Students Excited To Learn

By Diana Eastman

For students, parents, and teachers alike, mornings can be a rough part of the day to get through. Getting out of the house, carpooling, catching the bus and then actively participating in their own learning can sometimes be too much for growing minds, and teachers can find it difficult to get things rolling in the mornings. Thankfully, teachers have been conquering mornings for thousands of years, and have figured out a few great ways to get minds and bodies pumped up and excited to learn first thing in the morning. Here are a few of our favorites:

Personalized Greetings
If you haven’t see the YouTube video where the teacher greets each student outside of his classroom with an individual handshake or hand gesture, stop what you’re doing and watch it. The kids look so happy and are lined up outside of the classroom just waiting for their special and personalized interaction with the teacher. This takes dedication and time, but personalizing a greeting for each student makes each student feel unique and special and gives them a confidence boost before they even sit down at their desks. Students come from all different situations at home, and a warm and personal greeting from their teacher could make their morning. For an easier start, greet each student at the door and ask if they’d like to be greeted with a hug, handshake, or fist bump. This allows each student to be greeted in the way that makes him or her the most comfortable.

Morning Meetings

As adults, it can be overwhelming to jump right into your day. Most can agree that a quiet, reflective, planning time before the work day begins results in a happier and more productive morning. The same goes for kids. Consider implanting a morning meeting into your morning routine, where the whole class comes together in an intimate setting where they can discuss goals for the day, ask questions, express concerns, recognize achievements or address problems. This helps the students remember that the classroom is a team and that they’re there for each other. If Suzy is having a bad morning and needs space, she can use this time to vocalize her feelings so that classmates know to leave her alone or provide encouragement and support. If the teacher was unhappy about how lunchtime went yesterday, a morning meeting is a safe place to discuss the issue and work together as a collective unit to figure out what they could do better next time. Connecting with each other and with you as the teacher puts everyone in a positive mindset that allows for learning. Some may think morning meetings are better suited for primary age students, but a time to connect and reflect is one of the things teenagers and middle schoolers are lacking in their educational journeys.

Turn Up Some Tunes

Having upbeat and positive music playing as students enter the classroom and get settled in can have a positive effect on the rest of the day. When they come into a room that is happy and full of music, major shifts in mood and energy are possible. While you’re taking attendance, setting up the room or doing other morning responsibilities, a little tune can help get everyone ready for the day. Music at a lower volume, while they do their journal writing or morning work, can help them to focus and get more out of their assignments.

Compliments, Praise, and Feedback

Before lunchtime, find a way to compliment each student individually. Whether you tell them quietly about how you love their handwriting today, or you make an announcement to the class that a few students are blowing you away with their focus, acknowledging each student’s strengths and accomplishments in the morning is a great way to lighten the mood. Encouraging students to say positive things about each other  creates a safe and friendly work environment.

A Classroom Creed

Before the start of a new school year, take time to come up with a motivational message that you can recite to your students each day, and that they will eventually know and recite themselves. Focus on the things you want them to feel about themselves, your expectations in the classroom, their unique purpose in the classroom and in the world, and how the work they do now matters for their future. This empowering message will stay with them for a lifetime and can be a reminder first thing in the morning that they are loved, valued, capable, smart, hardworking, leaders who will make a difference. Hearing these words each morning, especially in unison with their classmates, has a powerful and long-lasting effect on their willingness to learn.

As adults, teachers have much more control over how their mornings go than kids do. Teachers have the ability to plan for, decide on and anticipate how the morning will go, but kids don’t always have that option. This is why it is so important for teachers to use the morning to reconnect with the students and remind them that they are a vital part of the classroom community. A positive and fun morning routine can do wonders for a student having a rough morning and can set them up for a day full of positive interactions, connections, and learning.

Surviving Back to School Workdays: You Can Do It!

By Beth Hedrick

It's about school time once again, and time to rejoin our forces of academia to the future of the world! As we are preparing to do so, we may also be feeling that summer break was just not long enough, as those of us who get the “whole summer” off certainly do not get the whole summer off.

So, when August 1st rolls around many teachers are at the helm of a whole new year, and as they say “bye, bye” to summer, there are so many things to prepare before the students get off those school buses on that first day.

Emails
When you walk through that classroom door on your very first morning back, be mentally prepared as you open your email inbox. It will be full. When the inbox is opened you may need to simply walk away, and go get a cup of coffee (hopefully provided by your principal, along with donuts) so all of the messages can load and be ready to read. Understand that you will have to make a folder in your inbox for priority emails so you will not forget to either do what they say or reply to them. Of course, throughout the day, you will receive many more emails with things you need to know or actions you need to take. Just. Breathe.

Meetings, Meetings, Meetings
Meetings will happen during those first work days on a variety of instructional topics. A few meetings will be quite meaningful, while others may have you asking yourself…"why couldn’t they wait a few weeks into the year to have this?" My advice? Prepare yourself with a few yummy snacks, grab a latte on the way into work, and smile! Take as many notes as you can, have your calendar ready, and try to focus on what's being discussed. I have always found that if I am an active participant, ask questions, and think about any task at hand it helps the time go by much faster!

Classroom Prep
Classroom preparations are so important to every teacher. Every teacher wants to have time to get their classroom set-up and organized so they can feel completely satisfied before the students come. A nicely decorated, cheerful, and organized room makes a crucial first impression on students and parents, and as all teachers know, you must get off on the right foot that first day of school. It can actually determine how the school year will go!

Many teachers, including myself, go in a few days earlier to get the room looking all pretty and shiny so they don’t have to worry when they are in all of those meetings. For me, not worrying about my classroom being in total shambles is very much worth getting it all done beforehand!

Parent Night!
Parent night, for many school systems, happens before school begins. This gives the parents the opportunity to meet you and for their child to do the same. It gives you time to talk with each parent you will be connected with throughout the school year, will allow you to be able to collect forms and school supplies, and will give you the amazing opportunity to see and chat with your new students!

For some teachers, Parent Night can be a little stressful. This is mostly because the teachers have been working tirelessly in their classrooms during their little free time, and are very, very tired by the time the parents arrive. But we all seem to smile our way through it, and even laugh! And when it is over, we become excited about the first day of school!

At the end of the day, we are teachers. We love our jobs. Every job has its ups and downs, and in this profession it's important to stay positive and reflect on why we do what we do. It's all about the students, especially those students who depend on us to make every day positive. When we focus on the kids, building relationships and expanding their minds, we can’t go wrong!

Beth Hedrick has been educating students for 22 years. She teaches in a rural southwest Virginia community that values the education of every student. She is the mother of two boys, Aaron and Landon, and is married to Todd.

She is an advocate for Autism Awareness, as her son Landon has Asperger’s Syndrome. She has served on her community and school system’s autism support team. Beth enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her Basset Hound, Lenny. She also likes to read, write, blog, and travel in the summer months. 

For Educators: Ways to Prepare for the Upcoming School Year

By Beth Hedrick

Let’s face it. Summer break, or any break if you have year-round school, is nothing short of pure bliss. It really is. We can wake up when we want, make a batch of cookies at 10 pm, hang with other teacher friends till the late night hours, and spend our days relaxing with friends and family.

Then reality sets back in, and the butterfly-stomach feeling comes about in the middle of July. You may realize about three weeks before school begins again that, well, you only have three more weeks of freedom. With the many emotions you may be feeling, and for however long you have been teaching, you may know what you need to do to make your school year a total success right when it begins. Here are my tips for you, and after 22 years of teaching, I can assure you they will help you have a much less stressful start to the new school year!

Cleaning and Purging
About a week after school was out, I made a list. This list included all of the things I wanted to do this summer in terms of organizing my life, so to speak. I know many teachers who do the major house cleaning and purging at the beginning of the break so they can enjoy their time off even more. This is what I do. However, if you choose to wait until a few weeks before those work days begin, that is fine as well. Either way, having a super clean house that is clutter-free will make your transition to your new school year easier!

Those Projects…
So, I decided I wanted to do some things around the house that I simply did not, and will not, have time to do during school. My list included painting a few rooms and deck staining. I also had a few more projects around the house I wanted to get done so I wouldn’t have to worry about “those things that needed to be finished” during the year. Accomplishing those projects that you have been putting off makes you feel good about yourself and about your home. Whether it is staining that deck or trimming those shrubs, it is nice to know that everything is in order once you are in the midst of teaching.

Lesson Planning
Okay. There have been breaks where I have not worked on any lesson plans and there have been breaks on which I did. Let me tell you, getting down to business for a few days and focusing on your plans before the school year begins is absolutely recommended by me! I scour the web for fresh ideas, create a cool lesson plan template, and get to work. I reconnect with my standards and make a to-do list, and I also look into teaching strategies that will better help my students acquire the material. I typically begin lesson planning around mid-July since our workdays begin at the beginning of August. Then, when those overwhelming work days hit, life won’t seem so hectic!

Getting used to a Routine
Becoming adjusted to a new routine can be challenging if you have been waking up, and going to bed, whenever you please. About two weeks before your new school year, try to adjust your body’s sleep schedule so that you will not be so overwhelmed when school begins. Many of my teacher friends keep their same schedule all summer long, but I do not, and if I don’t readjust my routine, I suffer when that alarm clock goes off for that first workday. Yes, I have learned the hard way, but I have definitely found that adjusting my sleep schedule beforehand really has its benefits!

Overall Preparations
There are other things I do before the school year begins in order to save my sanity. I make and go to those dentist and doctor routine visits, I go grocery shopping and spend a day making meals to freeze, and, of course, I get my own boys ready for school. Once I accomplish those tasks, for some reason, it makes me feel more focused and “ready” to tackle what lies before me.

Teaching is not an easy job, but it is very rewarding. I love my job, but I love it even more when I feel ready to focus on what I need to do at the beginning and throughout the school year. Getting a “jump start” allows me to focus on my own family because I have done much of the “busy work” and preparations beforehand. Preparing myself both mentally and physically for the upcoming tasks gives me the chance to focus on what is really important: my students.




Beth Hedrick has been educating students for 22 years. She teaches in a rural southwest Virginia community that values the education of every student. She is the mother of two boys, Aaron and Landon, and is married to Todd. 

She is an advocate for Autism Awareness, as her son Landon has Asperger’s Syndrome. She has served on her community and school system’s autism support team. Beth enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her Basset Hound, Lenny. She also likes to read, write, blog, and travel in the summer months.