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...
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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...
Michelle McDonald
- Jul 20, 2021
Helpful Questions First Year Teachers Should Ask at the End of an Interview
The interview process to land a teaching position can be daunting and stressful for both new and seasoned educators. As a new teacher, it...
Michelle McDonald
- Mar 9, 2021
Infusing Technology into Social Studies to Stimulate the Brain
I was on a long road trip recently and had quite a bit of time for teacher PD. I have loved listening and learning from Zaretta Hammond,...
Michelle McDonald
- Mar 2, 2021
4 Tips for First-Year Teachers: Planning Ahead This Spring
It may be spring, but the end of year is a busy time and quickly approaching. I want to share with you 4 quick tips to help you plan...
Michelle McDonald
- Nov 23, 2020
How to Make Significant Reading Gains in Elementary
This might sound counterintuitive, but if we want to see real reading improvement, then we need to cut back on ELA and make more room for...
Michelle McDonald
- Oct 12, 2020
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....
Michelle McDonald
- Sep 17, 2020
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...
Michelle McDonald
- Sep 6, 2020
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...
Michelle McDonald
- Aug 18, 2020
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...
Michelle McDonald
- Jul 6, 2020
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...
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