How should a high school English teacher prepare for back to school this year? It’s a strange time. NOTE: I wrote this before the 2020-2021 school year when the situation…
Posts Taggednew teachers
Beating the Winter Blues as a Teacher
Sure, the winter blues might be a cliche, but as a teacher, I need help. I live in Illinois and last weekend, we had over ten inches of snow. I…
Creating a Rubric
Creating a rubric for an activity, presentation, or paper? It’s daunting. A dozen years into teaching, and I often stare at the screen, fearful of not getting it right. Today,…
Designing a Teacher Wardrobe on a Budget
Designing a teacher wardrobe on a budget—a teacher budget? You can create stylish teacher outfits. You have a teaching job, and a teacher’s paycheck. Can you dress professionally? What teacher…
Classroom Management for Secondary Teachers
Today I’m talking about classroom management tips for secondary teachers. Older students demand a different approach to classroom management in the classroom. You can have successful secondary classroom management, though. …
What Teachers Need in Their Desks
What do teachers need in their desks? It can be a simple answer, but consider a few points too. Of all the plans and organization you make as you prepare…
How To Clean Your Classroom at the End of the School Year
Looking for how to clean your classroom before summer break? Finals are over, reports handed out. You promise to meet your coworkers for tea over summer break. You sigh and…
Handling Upset Parents as a Teacher
Handling upset parents as a teacher—because this will happen. So, it happens: a parent is upset with you. Sometimes it is about you. Sometimes it was the “straw” breaking everything…
First Year Language Arts Teacher Ultimate Guide
You’re a first year language arts teacher. You’re probably excited. Hopefully you have a few ideas—and more than a few plans. That’s a joke. I know you’re brimming with everything…
Tips for New Teachers: Collaborating
Looking for tips for new teachers? Look no further! I have an entire series devoted to new teachers. This post covers collaborating with other teachers. My first year teaching, I…