As a teacher at the start of this school year, you likely feel anxious and out of your comfort zone. Maybe way out of your comfort zone! Most, if not all, classrooms are different right now due to COVID-19, whether it’s distance learning, hybrid learning, or social distancing in the classroom. You’ve already had to… Read More
It might be safe to say that now the rest of the world knows what many teachers have known for a long time – teachers have one of the hardest and time consuming jobs out there. Teaching requires planning, and a lot of it. With time outside of the classroom now blurred more than ever,… Read More
Did you know that keyboards are one of the dirtiest accessories in your environment? According to a quick experiment conducted in 2008, it’s dirtier than the average toilet seat! And if you think toilet seats are gross, you wouldn’t want to know how many germs your keyboard holds. (Clue: it’s more than 7,000 microorganisms) So,… Read More
Editor’s note: We teamed up with our friends at VIVAYA, a one-of-a-kind live-streaming yoga and wellness platform, to bring new tips to help you meet the demands of the upcoming school year. Try these techniques out for yourself and share with your fellow teachers and students! And don’t forget to check out VIVAYA for yourself… Read More
As a former teacher, my New Year didn’t start on January 1st. Rather, it would begin at the start of the school year come August or September. And even though I’m not in the classroom anymore, I still find myself buying a new pack of pencils or scented markers each fall to mark the occasion. … Read More
Even the littlest acts of kindness can go a long way. When COVID started to shut down schools, educators did what they always do — they stepped it up to help their students and their community better cope with their new norm and they tried to bring some heart to the center of COVID. From… Read More
We voraciously work to stomp out bullying at school. We do not accept harsh words, criticism, or taunting in our classrooms. We have a zero-tolerance policy for cruelty and harmful behavior. But guys, the truth is, we allow all of it into our own internal dialogue. That’s right. The negative self-talk, the self-criticism…we’re bullying ourselves…. Read More
Sneezes, sniffles, and coughs, OH MY! The classroom can be a scary place during cold and flu season — but it doesn’t have to be. The truth is, your immune system is as strong as you make it. And, armed with the right information and the willingness to focus on boosting your body’s infection-fighting abilities,… Read More
A day in the life of a teacher can be pretty darn jam-packed. So it’s important to make the most of the moments you do have by fostering some inner peace and tapping into the Zen. Check out these eight meditation apps perfect to guide you through some relaxation and rejuvenate your soul for the… Read More
Teaching is the way you have chosen to change the world — and kudos to you for teaching your heart out! But being so deeply invested also means being vulnerable. And that can take a serious emotional toll. Here’s the deal: The emotional labor of teaching is real. And when we don’t talk about it… Read More
You went into your teaching career like gangbusters — excited, energetic, oozing creativity, eyes all atwinkle. But the weight of daily stress can begin to deflate those feelings of satisfaction and ambition and dull your passion. And, if left unchecked, can lead to burnout. Burnout is one of the most common reasons that teachers leave… Read More
Light itself is invisible until it reflects from something and hits our eyes. In the same way, the elements of our life are invisible until we take the time to actually see them through our mind’s eye. Self-reflection is taking the time to see the successes and failures, the opportunities and challenges, and the mental… Read More
With all you do, it’s easy to find yourself working around the clock just to stay ahead. Working too much can not only be damaging to your health but can also be damaging to your family. Creating a barrier at the end of work time — at least for a few hours — can help… Read More
When demands at work and home have you feeling like you’re about to crack, stop, breathe, and take a cue from nature. Channel your inner palm tree. Here’s the thing about palm trees: Even in the fiercest of storms, a palm tree will stay rooted in the ground. Devastating winds will destroy everything in their… Read More
When you’re at work, lunch feels like it cannot come soon enough — unless of course you’re a teacher with that crazy 10:30 am lunch block. Somehow leftover taco meat just doesn’t have the same appeal that early in the day. So what do you pack when your scheduled lunch is more like a brunch?… Read More