After an initial workweek drenched in mixed emotions, I punched in my office for code Monday morning. My posture stretched skyward with optimism. My predecessor was gone. The current class of six-month trainees returned to their schools. I felt like a full-fledged, albeit green, part of the team. I buzzed with a bit of a … Continue reading Week Two. Less To Do. More Room To Grow
Category: School Life
My Favorite Teaching Mindset
What qualities make a good teacher? Answers rain in from many people. Kind. Compassionate. Patient. Diligent. Growth-oriented. When I consider the common characteristics of quality teachers, I find a single thread that ties them together. This thread, this mindset, keeps me flying high during the best of times, and sustains me through the worst. It … Continue reading My Favorite Teaching Mindset
Effective Classroom Rules
One powerful force of classroom management is class rules. What guidelines will direct student behavior? Several weeks ago, attended a classroom management presentation up north, in Jeonju. One speaker shared clear and actionable insights about classroom rules. I embraced some of her wisdom but elected to ignore other aspects. Regardless, I see great merit in … Continue reading Effective Classroom Rules
6 Tips And Mindsets For Effective Classroom Management
As a teacher, classroom management often takes a backseat to instruction and activities - as it should. The purpose of classes is for students to learn. However, I would argue that effective classroom management is not a second-fiddle, but rather a foundation for learning. Students in well-managed classes often report more positive feelings toward the … Continue reading 6 Tips And Mindsets For Effective Classroom Management
How To Create Flashcards to Learn Students’ Names
When motivating students, building rapport, or managing class, addressing students by name goes a long way. Though when one sees 16 different homerooms and 450 different students only once per week, learning names can feel daunting, if not impossible. But with some determination and a little computer grease, I created a flashcard system that has … Continue reading How To Create Flashcards to Learn Students’ Names
A Sample Lesson – Introductions
Some people ask me how I teach lessons in my class. How are they structured? So today, using PPT slides, I will show you the progression of a 50-minute class. I taught this lesson two weeks ago to first-graders. In my class, first-grade Unit 1 focuses on practical and informal English. As a result, the … Continue reading A Sample Lesson – Introductions
The Evolution of Lesson Planning
Earlier, I described the challenge and enjoyment of planning my own lessons. In short, planning sans textbook is a form of bounded freedom - creative autonomy coupled with practical constraints. Change is constant in creativity. As I gather more informal feedback in the classroom, I continue to refine and sharpen my creative landscape. Sometimes this entails creative … Continue reading The Evolution of Lesson Planning
