Mounting research indicates a sharp increase in mental health issues among students since the pandemic began. This includes soaring rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide. As teachers, we’re in position to help stem the tide. And there is a lot we can do. In … Read more
A short exercise break can relieve boredom, improve thinking, and reverse the negative health effects of sitting. To be most effective, however, it must be purposeful. It must be targeted in a way that increases your heart rate yet stimulates every muscle in the … Read more
Your students are wilting like gardenias in a downpour. They yawn and fidget. They daydream and sigh. They struggle to follow along amid a thousand and one distractions clawing for their attention. Television blaring in the other room. Siblings sitting just inches away. The … Read more
A student questioning a grade isn’t a problem. In fact, it should be encouraged. Inquiring why they received a particular grade shows initiative and the desire to do well. Following up with how they believe they deserve a higher grade is, in my book, … Read more
Whether you’re teaching in person, online, or a hybrid of the two, there is one thing you must do to begin 2021. It’s easy, requires zero preparation, and takes no more than ten minutes. But it’s absolutely essential. What is it? It’s to review … Read more
There is a strategy that elite performers use every day. It’s something that takes just a few minutes, yet can be the difference between success and failure. Oddly, it isn’t taught in school. In fact, it’s never mentioned as part of any curriculum, professional … Read more
Although the hard numbers aren’t in yet, surveys indicate that the pandemic is taking a toll on our students’ mental health. Fear and social isolation are causing a spike in anxiety, depression, and suicide ideation. You’ve likely seen signs yourself: Lethargy Apathy Indifference Distractability … Read more
You fire up your laptop to check your school email and the first thing you notice is the subject line: “Junior’s Grade” Noooooo! Complaints about grades are difficult to handle because it’s hard to know how to respond in a way that both you … Read more