Almost 13 years ago when I started my professional speaking business, I heard a great speaker name Rick Segel Link to Rick’s Website talk about the 4% rule. Since that very day, it is something that I have always tried to live by. The 4% rule is simply this… If you are giving your best effort, your 100%, […]
Read more "Illegitimi non carborundum – The 4%"This is the time of year in education when some teachers, colleagues, maybe some of your friends are getting fired. You might be getting fired. I hope not, but someone reading this potentially could be. Total transparency. I have been fired more than once in my life in education. The first time was around this […]
Read more "Getting Fired Can Be The Best Thing For You"The month of March in most public schools in the region I teach in (New England) can be an incredibly difficult time to teach. Unlike many parts of the United States, we don’t have an official “Spring Break.” We have one week off in for February Vacation and one week off for April Vacation. Link […]
Read more "Mastering the Misery That is March: One Day at a Time"I feel so lucky to teach in a school district where I work with some of the best people, professionals and friends I could possibly imagine. However, establishing that relationship doesn’t just happen, it takes a lot of work. It takes a great deal of putting yourself out there to colleagues and making yourself somewhat […]
Read more "Finding the Power of Positive Colleagues in the Midst of Anxiety and Depression"One habit that I now use as a best practice is standing just outside my classroom door, every class, every day, as my students are walking out the door. A simple pleasant “Have a great day.” “Thanks for coming.” “Have an awesome weekend.” “Be safe this weekend.” This is what I like to call teacher […]
Read more "Door Standing – The One Week Challenge"Students from our Ornithology class birding outside of the classroom. 2/27/17 Scituate, MA With the coming of the beautiful weather and turning the corner to spring, I hope you will consider getting your students outside for a change of venue and enhanced learning experience. There is plenty of supportive evidence that is out […]
Read more "Get students outside, somehow!"A few years ago I started using the Remind App with all of my classes. Needless to say it has been a game changer in my teaching career. As most of us know, texting is the easiest, fastest and most effective way to communicate in 2017, particularly with middle and high school students. Other than […]
Read more "Remind is Amazing!"