Category: Love Teaching
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24. Administrators Are Not Always the Enemy
Please don’t get me wrong. I am not on a vendetta against administrators. I know and respect many good ones, and I am fully aware that they have more plates in the air than most teachers. They must serve faculty, students, parents, board members, and the community. They balance budgets, develop curriculum, coordinate professional development,…
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23. Burnout Isn’t Only from Exhaustion
Every year, passionate educators leave the classroom not because they are tired, but because they are heartbroken. True teacher burnout is rarely just a product of long hours or endless grading. It is born from organizational disappointment. Because teachers are mission-driven and student focused, they routinely conquer heavy workloads. But when a school fails to…
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22. Dear New Teacher,
You are exactly who our students need right now. Thank you for choosing this vital, fulfilling profession. It won’t always be easy, but I promise you will not regret choosing this path. And, please don’t let the mainstream media fool you into a negative mindset about the American education system. There is so much joy…
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21. What Exactly is Teacher Burnout?
If you are a teacher staring at your to-do list feeling completely drained, you are not alone. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), burnout is a real “occupational phenomenon” driven by chronic, unmanaged workplace stress. In fact, a 2023 study confirmed what many educators already know: K-12 teachers report significantly worse well-being than the…
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20. Those who can, do. Those who can do more, teach.
I have always pushed back against the old adage, “Those who can, do; those who can’t, teach,” because it profoundly misses the point. Teaching transcends mere content knowledge; it requires an acute awareness of others, a genuine investment in their success, and the capacity to inspire real learning and growth. This cynical outlook is a…
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19. Planning for Joy: How Backward Design Catches the Moments That Matter
There are so many different ways to map out a lesson, but one of my absolute favorites is backward design. This strategy is all about starting with the finish line in mind. Before I even think about planning activities, I like to ask myself a few core questions: What big ideas or skills do I…
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18. Self-Compassion
If you have explored my work, you already know that celebrating self-care is at the heart of everything I do. Sharing the gift of well-being has truly become my life’s mission. I am deeply passionate about helping our incredible teachers embrace wellness and self-kindness, empowering them to shine bright and thrive in their classrooms every…
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17. You Should Teach!
After thirty-seven years of teaching everything from chaotic statistic projects to skill and drill algebra, I whole-heartedly recommend the profession to anyone who asks. It is a noble career, offering a lifelong opportunity to master and polish your craft. This path ensures that you will always be a lifelong learner, as you ultimately learn just…
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16. Teacher, Wonderful Teacher
I am sure you will agree that some of the most wonderful people in this world are teachers. There is something truly remarkable about individuals who consciously shift their focus away from themselves to uplift others. Every single day, educators step into classrooms not just to pass on facts, but to build confidence, spark curiosity,…
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15. Cultivate Courage and Take Risks
While I frequently praise my students’ willingness to take academic risks, I also want to build a practical toolkit for those who remain hesitant. And, if I am honest, I want to build this toolkit for myself as well. As educators, we can’t expect our students to step into the unknown if we stay safely…
