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Oct 12

How to Batch Your Lesson Plans and Get Ahead

During my first year of teaching, I always felt like my head was barely above water. I was usually just one step ahead of the students. W...

How to Make Self-Care a Priority: Tips for New Teachers

Michelle McDonald

Sep 17

How to Make Self-Care a Priority: Tips for New Teachers

During my first year of teaching, I stayed late at school most days of the week. I hate to admit it, but sometimes I was at school as lat...

5 Back to School Technology Tips for Virtual Learning

Michelle McDonald

Sep 6

5 Back to School Technology Tips for Virtual Learning

If you find yourself overwhelmed by learning new technology, are in the process of revamping your lessons and entire daily schedule for d...

5 Reasons to use Google Voice for Parent Communication

Michelle McDonald

Aug 18

5 Reasons to use Google Voice for Parent Communication

If you are looking for an effective way to communicate with parents that doesn't involve tons of set up or parents signing up for one mor...

Michelle McDonald

Jul 6

New Teacher Back to School Checklists

Back to school is an especially busy time. From prepping bulletin boards, laminating activities, analyzing your scope and sequence, plus ...

Michelle McDonald

Jun 7

Anti-Racism Resources for Teachers

It's been a heartbreaking time in America. The death of George Floyd and the many other tragedies of BIPOC leaves me feeling angry, sadde...

10 Interactive Notebook Tips for Your Social Studies Class

Michelle McDonald

Jun 1

10 Interactive Notebook Tips for Your Social Studies Class

Do you want to try interactive notebooks in your social studies classroom but are worried about the cutting and gluing getting out hand o...

The First Holidays After Divorce: Tips for Teachers

Michelle McDonald

Dec 12, 2019

The First Holidays After Divorce: Tips for Teachers

For students that are experiencing a change in their family system, such as due to separation and divorce, the holidays can trigger anxiety

Staying the Course: When You Feel Like Giving Up

Michelle McDonald

Nov 5, 2019

Staying the Course: When You Feel Like Giving Up

"A woman is like a tea bag--you can't tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water." Eleanor Roosevelt said these famous words, ...

10 Parent Teacher Conference Tips for First Year Teachers

Michelle McDonald

Oct 25, 2019

10 Parent Teacher Conference Tips for First Year Teachers

My first year of teaching, I was definitely a little nervous when it came to parent-teacher conferences. Even though I had participated i...

6 Parent Communication Tips for New Teachers

Michelle McDonald

Oct 15, 2019

6 Parent Communication Tips for New Teachers

My first year of teaching, the very thought of communicating with parents gave me nightmares. As an introvert, this was something I just ...

Helpful Strategies: When Students Will Not Stop Talking

Michelle McDonald

Sep 10, 2019

Helpful Strategies: When Students Will Not Stop Talking

Do you have a class that will not.stop.talking? You've probably tried the "I'm just waiting" trick and literally waited, and waited, and w...

Adding Diverse Books to Your Classroom Library

Michelle McDonald

Jul 16, 2019

Adding Diverse Books to Your Classroom Library

If you took a look at the books in your classroom library, would they reflect students from all backgrounds? Do the books in your library...

3 Ways to Save Money on Classroom Set Up

Michelle McDonald

Jul 3, 2019

3 Ways to Save Money on Classroom Set Up

Whether you are setting up your very first classroom, or are looking for cost effective classroom ideas, this post is for you. Over the p...

Setting up Your First Classroom with Focus

Michelle McDonald

Jun 20, 2019

Setting up Your First Classroom with Focus

When I accepted my first teaching job, I couldn’t wait to get keys to my classroom. I had so many ideas spinning around in my head of wha...

What is Parental Alienation & How Does it Show up in Our Schools?

Michelle McDonald

Apr 29, 2019

What is Parental Alienation & How Does it Show up in Our Schools?

As educators, we are mandatory reporters, and that means that we must be competent in all forms of child abuse. Knowledge is so important...

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