Blog Updates

Since the pandemic, teachers everywhere have been incorporating more technology into their classroom practice. It makes sense - digital activities have a lot of benefits that the distance learning era brought to light. For example, digital assignments are easy to share with students whether they are present at school or not. They save paper and your time at the copier. Students (and teachers) won’t lose Google files as easily as they may lose a worksheet, and some digital activities are uniquely interactive and even self-correcting!  One type of digital activity that has a permanent place in my classroom routine is…

Setting up a classroom, whether it's your tenth classroom or the first classroom that is all your own, is overwhelming! It’s tough to know where to start, and many teachers feel the need to create a Pinterest-worthy classroom before the students even arrive for the first day of school - but that’s just not needed! Your focus should be on making your classroom functional and comfortable, for both your students and yourself! Here are some tips to get you headed in the right direction! 1. Think It Through! Setting up your classroom is actually not the first thing you should…

“Wait, how do I copy and paste again?” “I didn’t mean to do that!” “Can you show me how to…” Sound familiar? I love using technology to enhance my students’ time in my classroom, but I hate all of the tech support I need to do that stops me from helping students with actual content! Students have more access to technology than ever before - but that doesn’t mean they always know how to use it in the most efficient way. With increasing numbers of school districts moving to a 1:1 technology model, efficient computer use has never been more…

"I taught it but they still don't get it!" Sound familiar? You’re not alone! Millions of teachers every year run to their teacher BFFs to vent about the very same thing! With so much curriculum to fit in a year, it can feel so disheartening to come back the day after you’ve taught a great lesson only for your students to look at you with blank stares and no clue where to start. Here are my top tips for stopping this cycle! Find the real starting point for your students! Understanding 6th-grade math doesn’t start on the first day of…

I am a shopaholic. I admit it. It's true. Want to hear something even worse? My shopping addiction only gets worse when I feel stressed - so basically the entire school year! That fact, along with all the TikTok videos, back-to-school-themed store displays, and online sales (looking at you, Amazon Prime Day) means that I have spent way too much money on my classroom over the last few years. As a math teacher, I couldn't even total it up for you! I remember when I was a first-year teacher, feeling like I needed everything other teachers recommended or shared to feel…

A few years ago, I was cornered at the copier. Through a short but persuasive conversation with my principal, I was “voluntold” to lead our school’s 6th-grade student council. It was our very first year as a middle school, and we were starting everything from scratch. Over my years in the district, I’d gotten a reputation for going above and beyond, which apparently translated to “please add more to my plate!” To say I was overwhelmed was an understatement! I had never been on student council while I was in school, so I had no idea where to start or…