Let’s face it. Teachers get little recognition for what they do. It’s true — in the grand scheme of things, while teachers’ daily hard work and contributions may be appreciated, they are often unacknowledged except for once-yearly Teacher Appreciation Week. When I was younger, I used to say that I wanted to be a teacher… Read More

Classroom capabilities are ever-changing and evolving. New technologies are constantly emerging — making our jobs as educators easier and often more fulfilling, and creating a rich learning environment for our students. From the super high-tech to the simplest of innovations, new products can create a world of difference in your classroom. Interested in making some… Read More

Being a teacher, like any vocation, comes with its own unique set of rewards and frustrations. Serving as a mentor to developing minds gives you powerful influence over the lives of many people, but the hours and effort it takes to be a successful teacher can never be understated. One of the foremost difficulties is,… Read More

Monday mornings often loom over us like a dark cloud of doom. In fact, they’re so ominous that we start our anxiety about them on Sundays. But are Mondays really that bad? Absolutely not! Finding reasons to love your Mondays can help you bounce out of bed ready to start your workweek. It’s all about… Read More

We know that many New Year’s resolutions center around the idea of balance: How can I have a more balanced life? How can I balance my personal and professional lives? How can I balance my screen time? Yep, that last one is not just an issue for kids. Guilty as charged! The statistics about screen… Read More

Many of us grew up loving Dr. Seuss books. To this day, you probably can recite at the very least a line or two of his rhymes by heart. Kids worship him, parents adore him, and teachers revere him. We teachers, in particular, have created Pinterest boards galore showcasing classroom projects, bulletin boards, and learning… Read More

Let’s admit it… misery likes company. In a more positive light, there is camaraderie and comfort found when we bond over common struggles (and successes). It speaks to the power of community and how we are not alone in our pursuits. Never has this been more true than in the field of teaching. Too often,… Read More

It may not be summertime, but we wanted to curate a reading list of stories featuring teachers who exemplify grit, resilience, and scrappiness, as they face the multi-faceted demands of teaching. These fiction and non-fiction recommendations are designed to inspire you and let you know that you’re not alone in helping our kids today do… Read More

Lesson plans. Parent emails. Grading papers. Staff meetings. Team collaboration. IEP meetings. Parent conferences. Holiday concerts. Teaching is a 24/7 job. It can take over your life if you aren’t careful, so you have to find a way to make it work for you. Your social events are important. Your family time should be protected…. Read More

Yes, your passion for learning and inspiring others led you to a career in education. But what about your other passions? Remember those? Those things that make you tick, or give you butterflies, or make your eyes sort of twinkle? Maybe it’s been a while since you’ve even thought about those things. Maybe you’ve thought… Read More

As a teacher, sometimes a full glass of water during the day seems like a luxury. Most educators find themselves limiting their water intake because, well, there’s often a limit to the amount of bathroom breaks one can take. But without water, you can’t stay properly hydrated, and proper hydration is paramount to a healthy… Read More

“Miss Bleser is strict!” I’m never quite sure how to respond when I hear that. The word carries such a negative connotation. Strict makes me think of a scowl that intimidates children. I picture a stifled classroom environment where students are afraid to make mistakes. But if you walk into my classroom, you’d sense a… Read More

We’ve all heard about the awesome benefits of meditation. But let’s be honest — meditation is an intimidating word. It feels huge. It feels lofty and unattainable. It feels like something better suited to some enlightened spiritual leader than a busy and stressed-as-all-get-out teacher. Am I right? Here’s the thing though: Meditation is attainable. It… Read More

Motivation can be a mosquito in the night. You can hear it buzzing in your ear, but when you reach out to crush it, all you catch is air. You understand the importance of getting things done. You probably talked to one — or all — of your students about it in class today. And… Read More