Tag: teaching
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More Than a Lesson: The True Impact of Teaching
Today, as I was accepting invitations to the annual professional development opportunities offered to educators at the start of each school year, I remembered a quote I heard at one of these “PD days” a few years back — and it got me thinking: “If I am not an improved version of myself by the…
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Coloring Inside the Lines… and Knowing When to Go Beyond Them
“Color inside the lines.” It’s one of the earliest rules we give children when they’re learning how to draw. And in many ways, it reflects a larger idea in how we’ve traditionally approached learning: follow directions, stay within the structure, do what’s expected. There’s a place for that. Boundaries are important. They help students develop…
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Start with the Right Question: A Reflection on School Discipline and Parental Support
It’s never easy getting called into school because of your child’s behavior. As a parent, it can feel frustrating, embarrassing, or even unfair. But in those moments, the most powerful and productive question a parent can ask is: “What can I do to help correct my child’s behavior or misconduct?” Unfortunately, that’s not always where…
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Our Shared Path, Our Individual Journey
There’s a quiet truth we all live with — one we may not often voice, but feel deeply in our moments of reflection: While we may share a path with others, our journeys are a uniquely individual experience. Life often brings us into community with others. We attend school together, grow up in the same…
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Why Inkblotz?
Yesterday, as I was reviewing notes and drafts for future blog posts, my daughter came up to me and asked, “Whatcha doin’, Dad?” I answered simply, “Reviewing posts for my blog.” She paused for a moment, then asked, “You have a blog? What’s it called?” “Inkblotz,” I replied. She wrinkled her brow. “Why Inkblotz? What…
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To Teach (and Learn) Is to Be in a Constant State of Reconnaissance
To teach—and to learn—is to be in a constant state of reconnaissance.It’s a phrase that’s been echoing in my mind lately. At first glance, it might sound a bit tactical, even militaristic. But in truth, it captures the quiet, intentional vigilance that defines the work of an educator. Teaching is not a static profession. It’s…
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Mistakes Are Moments. Growth Is the Goal.
Rethinking Discipline, Accountability, and Redemption in Our Schools In every classroom, hallway, and lunch line, students are learning much more than what’s printed in textbooks. They’re learning how to be human — how to navigate choices, face consequences, recover from missteps, and try again. And like all of us, they sometimes stumble. What matters most…
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We Don’t Want “Good Students”
At first, it might seem like the same thing — but there’s a big difference between being agood student and being a good learner. “Good students” know how to play the game of school. They follow directions, wait patiently, stay within the lines, and do what’s expected. But in a world that’s changing faster than ever —…
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Connection Before Correction
Respect from students doesn’t always come in the form of “please,” “thank you,” or “excuse me.” Sometimes, a student greeting you with “hey” instead of “Mr.” or “Mrs.” isn’t disrespect — it’s just their way of connecting. Get to know your students. Learn their quirks. Let go of the ego. Allow yourself to be human.…
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Behavior Is Not Static
Behavior is not fixed. It’s fluid, dynamic, and shaped by a continuous exchange between individuals and their environment. At its core, behavior is interaction — a response to internal drives or external stimuli. Hunger, attention, fear, joy, the need for safety or belonging — all of these spark behavioral responses, often unconsciously. In our classrooms,…
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The Power and Purpose of School Discipline
In today’s world, some may question why schools emphasize discipline. Why require students to wear their full uniform each day? Why insist on punctuality, preparedness, and adherence to classroom expectations? Why limit distractions like phones, and why hold students to high standards of behavior and academic effort? The answer is simple, yet deeply important: we…
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Language of Learning
Here is a little thought for us all to ponder… We are ALL instructors of language – we MUST teach our students the LANGUAGE OF LEARNING, be it in Math, Science, History, English and even in P.E. We MUST teach our kids to be effective communicators in any subject; their success, and ours depends on…
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Rules of Engagement
In schools, they are known by many names: rules, expectations, guidelines, directions, pathways to learning, the code, the blueprint, standards, norms, recipe for success, to name just a few. They can serve a far greater purpose than simple managing behavior. In my classroom, I considered those the norms for our interactions, as they were m,…