My article published in Smartblogs: Here’s an idea: Kindness Meters

My article published in Smartblogs: Here’s an idea: Kindness Meters

Greetings subscribers! As most of you know, I was selected to travel to Botswana on a Fulbright Distinguished Teacher Grant. I’m actually sitting at the airport waiting to get on my flight to Gaborone, Botswana and wanted to spread the word that my second article was just picked up by Smartblogs. Thank you to all of you- my subscribers. I appreciate your ongoing support.

My article published in Smartblogs: Priority for Schools in 2016: Character Education to Prevent Bullying

My article published in Smartblogs: Priority for Schools in 2016: Character Education to Prevent Bullying

Every year we come back from our winter break with fresh ideas and new perspectives for our schools and classrooms. Although one of the biggest issues facing schools, we still do not have a universal answer to bullying prevention — perhaps until now. As a teacher for 10 years, the sad truth is that it was inevitable that I would witness bullying.

3 Teaching Productivity Maximizing and Stress Minimizing Habits to Start Now: Make 2015 Your Best Teaching Year Ever

3 Teaching Productivity Maximizing and Stress Minimizing Habits to Start Now: Make 2015 Your Best Teaching Year Ever

Last year, I started developing some beneficial habits at school and I noticed my to-do list was actually getting done during my classroom prep time. The difference in my productivity was astonishing. I was less stressed and more energized. In turn, I found realized I’d achieved a significantly higher degree of engagement during instructional time with my students, creating a true win-win-win solution.

Start 2015 Off Right: Student Goal Setting Using Social Systems for Support

Start 2015 Off Right: Student Goal Setting Using Social Systems for Support

It’s a good idea to do a goal setting lesson or activity every year. Among the most favorable and effective methods for students usually consist of a graphic organizer. The students write out their immediate and long-term goals, including perceived barriers, and how they plan to overcome these challenges. Students especially enjoy writing in these graphic organizers because of the visual element.

Prevent This From Ever Happening in Your Classroom: A 6-minute read

Prevent This From Ever Happening in Your Classroom: A 6-minute read

The students in our classrooms are together 187 days a year for multiples hours each day. There will be disagreements, minor conflicts and passive aggression. Unfortunately, sometimes a particular class falls off the deep end and the hostility and negativity starts to overtake the content.