Every school talks about high expectations. Only a small few actually live it. The truth is, for the most part, it’s a sham. Expectations for student behavior in this day and age are knee-high to a five year old. And getting lower by the … Read more
I may ruffle some feathers with this week’s article. But it’s a critical topic, and thus worth taking the heat. Last week, I detailed how to not quit teaching. If you haven’t yet read the article, I recommend doing so before continuing. In that … Read more
There is a secret to effective teaching very few teachers are aware of. It’s so secret, in fact, that I’ve never heard anyone speak of it. As far as I know, it’s never been written about. It’s never been touted by instructional coaches or … Read more
Good teachers are observant. In fact, their students swear they have eyes in the back of their head. But the truth is, they just make it a priority. They see the value in keen observation because it allows them to . . . Witness … Read more
I’ve occasionally been asked what one piece of advice I’d give to all teachers. It’s a daunting question. Truth be told, I’d want to mention a dozen or so core areas that work together to create a productive, well-behaved classroom. (In other words, become … Read more
Teachers who struggle with classroom management—and teaching in general—tend to be overly invested in the job. They view the profession as who they are rather than what they do. They live and die with every success or failure. They’ve bought into the lie—hook, line, … Read more
There is a secret a small cadre of teachers share that can drastically improve your class. It works in all situations and grade levels. It’s simple and straightforward. It causes a giant leap in progress—from behavior and listening to work habits and attentiveness. It’s … Read more
Stress is a killer. And not just physically. It can also ruin your teaching career. It can destroy your peace and happiness. It can affect your relationship with students. It can severely limit your ability to manage your classroom. The good news is that … Read more