What Motivates you?
When it comes to not finishing things, it’s often a combination of poor planning, lack of understanding, and an overall lack of motivation for the task at hand. You have to be motivated to complete what you’re planned, otherwise, no list is going to save you from distraction from a long term assignment. You might […]
How To Start Your College Application
The first time that a student comes to you and asks you to write a recommendation letter can feel a bit overwhelming. You know that writing a quality recommendation letter is important to the student, and you want to provide them with a good letter. As the requests for recommendation letters start pouring in, it […]
Helping Students Write about Their work
Writing artists statements and writing about their artwork is something that many students struggle with. They aren’t sure how to make it interesting or what the point is. In AP Studio Art, the college board requires students to write 100 characters for each piece, explaining their process. Many students write things like, drew a sketch, […]
Has Your Teaching Method Changed?
Many k-12 schools, as well as colleges and universities, are making the switch to online learning. With this switch, there is a lot of training and information about learning management systems, video conferencing, and how to flip your classroom. While all of these things are important, they’re just tools, and tools will only take you […]
Unpacking Due Dates: Why Students Fall Behind
As a teenager, I remember sitting in the basement working on homework. Me on one couch, my older brother on the other. I sometimes also had a chalkboard nearby so that I could “teach” myself as I studied for a test, while my brother was sure to have his assignment book in hand. The problem […]
3 Tips to Focus When You Hate the Work
I’m a procrastinator. Not for everything, but when I don’t love the task at hand, I just won’t do it. I used to think it was just me but it’s most people – and common sense tells us why. We spend our time doing things we like to do. Simple as that! It’s important to […]
Unpacking how Ideas Guide Process
When you student teach, you spend a lot of time observing other teachers, then you graduate, and it can be hard to find the time and opportunity to observe and learn. As teaching and learning are taking on many new formats this year, leaving teachers, parents, and students overwhelmed, one of my goals is to […]
Online Learning: Exploring Code-Switching and the Importance of Visual Cues
When students are learning online, it can be easy to forget that they’re likely moving from teacher to teacher and one zoom room to the next. This can be confusing and challenging for students, especially those that have trouble with code-switching. In-person, we’re able to see students switching classes, and interact more with colleagues providing […]
Why You Should Consider Online Learning
While I’ve been teaching online for years, it’s only recently that everyone working in education is trying their hand at online teaching and learning. Some are finding success, however, most are landing in frustration and overwhelm. When teaching online, you can’t just take what you did in person, and do the same thing, but on […]
Start with the End in Mind
Has this school year launched you into being a teacher and a parent? Are you trying to help you kids break down big projects and realizing that you’re not even sure how to do it yourself? A BIG reason that students fall behind in any educational setting, at home, online, hybrid, or in-person, is because […]