There are now statewide laws or orders in 14 states mandating that schools operate as phone-free environments. Many districts and school systems are following suit with their own no-phones policies. In 2024, Governor Glenn Youngkin signed an executive order issuing...
We don’t need more think pieces about teacher burnout—we need real action. If we want to keep teachers from quitting, we have to address the conditions that are pushing them out. The reality of what’s in our schools can’t be...
It’s no secret that violence seems to be on the rise in schools, especially at the elementary level. Teachers report more aggressive behavior than ever before, aimed at both other students and teachers themselves. This uptick in student violence has...
In 2013, I wrote a post for edutopia exploring the difference between students and learners. As ‘learning trends’ become the basis for full-on institutions of learning (see the Avenues: World School and North Star: Self-Directed Learning for Teens for two examples), these...
As much as teachers would like to have everything perfectly in-place prior to the arrival of students for the school year, let’s be honest: trial and error is all part of the game when it comes to classroom setup. But...
I’m subbing in a 4th-and-5th-grade classroom, and one student’s ODD is completely disregulating the entire room. His energy is contagious in the worst possible way. Boys are ricocheting off the walls like pinballs, girls are throwing sass and attitude at...
Looking ahead to a new school year is exciting—especially for students curious about their next teacher. This “Letter to My Future Teacher” activity helps students introduce themselves, share what matters to them, and set goals for the year ahead. There...
Everyone knows what it’s like to have big feelings that are hard to handle. Without coping strategies, it would be hard for many people to function. Teaching coping strategies for kids and teens enables them to manage their emotions, build...
Teachers make hundreds of decisions a day—but managing behavior and routines are always some of the most important and most challenging. And like anything in teaching, the more you plan ahead, the easier classroom management will be. Whether you are...
Teachers are known for spending their own money on their classrooms. Fortunately, websites like Amazon have made it easier to ask for classroom supplies and materials from families, friends, and others. Here’s how to get your Amazon Wish List ready...
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