Your Teacher Voice Is Strong. Use It.

Not everyone who talks about teacher voice really wants to hear it. Take a peek into many schools and this is what you might see.…

Yes, You Can Have a Great First Year of Teaching, Just Ask Chicago’s Asia-Ana Williams

Last year, rookie English teacher Asia-Ana Williams became the poster child for Opportunity Schools, a Chicago Public Schools (CPS) effort to match teacher talent with…

Teachers, If You Want a Say in What Happens at Your School, You Have to Speak Out

Welcome to a new school year! Amidst the busyness of planning and preparing, remember to take a step back and reflect on how you want…

Want to Help All Students Succeed? Here Are 6 Ways to Walk a Mile in Their Shoes

I recently learned that our building had something really cool happen this school year. A local shoe company donated shoes for students in our building.…

Pardon My Grumpy Appearance, Kids. This Year I’ll Show You More Mr. Nice Guy

I think we all know, or we had better, that the old advice of, “Don’t smile until Christmas,” is just bad. In most classrooms, thankfully,…

Here’s Why Awards Over Rewards Is a Better Approach to Student Motivation

Student motivation can be an elusive goal for teachers. We try to think of “out of the box” strategies to get our kids to feel…

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Classroom Teachers, I Bow Before You

Classroom teachers, I bow in deep, humble and honest reverence and respect before you. It’s been a year since I’ve been out of the K-12…

My School’s Dual Language Immersion Program Helps Immigrant Students Blossom Into Leaders

It’s the first week of the 2018-19 year in my second grade classroom at Munger Mountain Elementary School, and one girl sits apart from the…

Not to Be a Buzzkill, But Teachers Need a Reminder to Be Nice to Their Students

I couldn’t sleep the other night and found myself doing what any reasonable person would do: I turned to Twitter. There was the usual: President…