Posts in School
Why Brain Breaks Are Essential for Every Classroom: Boost Focus and Engagement

As teachers, we’ve all been there—students staring blankly at their work, the wall, out the window, squirming in their seats, or looking like they’ve mentally checked out. That’s when it’s time to call for a brain break! Brain breaks aren’t just trendy classroom treats; they’re a powerful tool backed by research to help students recharge, refocus, and perform their best. I promise, your students will love them, and you, for adding them into your daily curriculum.

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Ideas on How to Teach Media Literacy

There are no two ways about it. Media, in all its positive and negative forms, has permeated the human experience. It will only grow more invasive as time and technology progresses. It is important to add media literacy to our ever expanding lists of things we must teach in the English classroom. Media literacy should be a focus in all subject areas, but it seems like the English and history classes are the dumping grounds for improving most societal problems.

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Lessons in Poetry

A poem is a small but powerful thing. It is the history of the human heart. It has the power to reach inside of you, to ignite something in you, and to change you in ways you never imagined. There is a feeling of connection when we read a poem that articulates our deepest feelings. Poems can inspire us to write our own journeys, to find our own voices.

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Screaming into the Void: What to Do When You Feel Hopeless

t’s been a tough pill to swallow. With Donald Trump back in the White House, many of us are grappling with feelings of despair, anger, and confusion about what the future holds. It’s easy to feel like screaming into the void, letting the frustration and hopelessness take over. But the truth is, despair isn’t going to help us, nor will apathy. So, how do we channel this energy into something productive? How do we keep from going crazy and stay engaged in the fight for what matters?

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The Future of Education: Confronting the Reality of Funding Cuts

The recent education budget cuts, combined with the end of COVID relief funding, are creating immense challenges for schools across the nation. With my district facing a $25 million shortfall, the impact is deeply personal for both educators and students. In this post, I explore how these cuts affect our classrooms and offer actionable steps we can take to advocate for change, support one another, and adapt to new educational models.

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