Learn How to Thrive in Your First Year of Teaching with this Framework
Are you a new teacher on a rollercoaster ride of emotions? If that resonates with you, I completely understand! Balancing teaching and...
top of page
Search
Michelle McDonald
- Aug 8
4 Back to School Teacher Planning Tips That Get Overlooked
As we get into Back to School season, there are so many things to prep and plan. Maybe this is the year that you will make your lunches...
Michelle McDonald
- Jul 4
Why You Need to Attend the 2023 First Year Teacher Summit
I'm so excited to share that registration is open for the 2023 First Year Teacher Summit! This is the first virtual event of its kind...
Michelle McDonald
- Jun 20
Build a Healthy Rapport with your Colleagues as a First Year Teacher
If you are a new teacher or maybe a teacher working in a new building, having a good rapport with your colleagues might be new waters to...
Michelle McDonald
- Jun 6
An Easy and Low Prep End of Unit Assessment: One Pagers
Are you tired of assigning tests for your social studies units? I want to share an easy-to-implement end-of-unit project that gets...
Michelle McDonald
- Jun 1
Step Into Your First Teacher Interview With Confidence: 5 Tips
Preparing for your first interview can be nerve-wracking and it's one of the most commonly asked questions within the First Year Teacher...
Michelle McDonald
- May 24
Why Setting Healthy Boundaries are Essential in the Teaching Profession
I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase, “teachers do it for the outcome, not for the income.” I want to take a moment to dismantle this concept...
Michelle McDonald
- May 4
How Much is Your Teaching Prep Time Worth, Really?
Have you ever considered how much your prep time is really worth (in dollars)? One of my biggest teaching hurdles was figuring out how to...
Michelle McDonald
- Apr 11
The Teacher Productivity Hack You Need To Help You Beat Overwhelm
Do you have sticky notes covering your computer screen or all around your desk? Maybe you have a long to-do list that feels overwhelming...
Michelle McDonald
- Jan 4
5 Ways to Build Mental Strength as a First Year Teacher
Are you a first-year teacher drowning in work, feeling like you are being pulled in multiple directions, and struggling to find that...
Michelle McDonald
- Dec 27, 2022
Free 2023 Goal Setting Journal for First Year Teachers
As we start a new year, this is a great time to consider goal setting. Even if you are reading this and it’s the middle of June, there’s...
Michelle McDonald
- Dec 13, 2022
Helpful Tips for Facilitating an Effective Classroom Discussion
Small group discussions are a great concept, but they can quickly get out of hand if we simply release our students without guidance....
Michelle McDonald
- Nov 29, 2022
Free Easy and Inexpensive Gift Ideas for Students and Parents
Let’s talk about holiday gift-giving. First, there is absolutely no requirement to give your students a holiday gift before winter break....
Michelle McDonald
- Nov 15, 2022
3 Ways to Be Proactive Before Your Teacher Sick Days Run Out
I was recently listening to a teacher share how they ran out of sick days in October. Knowing that any future days off would mean taking...
Michelle McDonald
- Oct 4, 2022
5 Teacher Tips for Keeping Your Personal Life Organized & Efficient
As a teacher, we quickly realize that the work is never done. This means that we have to be intentional with our time because it's super...
Michelle McDonald
- Aug 16, 2022
Shopping for Teacher Outfits on a Tight Budget: Shopping with Sustainability in Mind
When I landed my first teaching job, most of my clothing involved jeans, oversized sweatshirts, and tennis shoes that I wore around the...
Michelle McDonald
- Jul 12, 2022
Teacher Communication Workshop: Gain Confidence & The Respect You Deserve
Do you struggle to communicate your needs to your admin, or spend hours trying to draft an email? This was me during my first year of...
Michelle McDonald
- Nov 9, 2021
5 Helpful Tips to Overcoming Teacher Overwhelm
How will I make it to the end of the year? This was a question I often asked myself when I felt completely overwhelmed, inadequate, and...
Michelle McDonald
- Sep 8, 2021
5 Tips for Fostering a Collaborative and Safe Social Studies Class
One of the most important steps we can take at the beginning of the year is time to build a positive classroom environment where all...
Michelle McDonald
- Aug 17, 2021
4 Must-Have Back to School Supplies for Every Classroom
Preparing for the school year can be daunting, especially if you are just beginning your teaching journey, or if you are switching grade...
bottom of page