(via Pinterest)

My life mantra in a class for undergrads and grads. Love this work. #whyiteach #lifemantra https://www.instagram.com/p/ChtPBZ-ugC6/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Operating in the Gray

“Mr Simmons, it just won’t work!”, she exclaimed, banging her hands down again on her trebuchet. As I slowly moved over toward her and the others in her group, a grief overtook them. Not a grief born from frustration or stress, but of an impending death. A perceived, looming academic demise because they knew their grade hinged and whether or not this tiny piece of fabric and four strands of jet black paracord would lift them from the depths of their current repetitive failures and fire a tennis ball at 50 ft or seal their fate. Alas, 26 feet and failure...tik-tok. What to do? “Other groups had successfully climbed this Everest. Surely their slings should work...what if we “use” theirs?”

Teachers this is what happens in the minds of Ss when the number is priority and not the learning. My instructions were clear, my expectations crystal. Their goals were “black and white” and yet, still, I had a group rationalize, “operating in the gray”. Some might say, “Using their resources”, or “being clever”. Others might just call it cheating. After 18 years in the classroom I’ve seen and heard it all, every variant, every permutation, from every level & sub-pop. We will be having a conversation on Monday as a group and class. But my question is, Teachers, how do you balance the learning, the group, and the assessment, when some are only only concerned with the number - especially the GT or advanced academic Students?

Many of us confuse constantly thinking about something as preparation for it. For example, some teachers have high hopes for the coming school year while others are still exhausted from the last year-and-a-half, worried about variants, worried about back to in person, worried about “learning loss”, worried about back to “normal” or continuing with “new normal,” and never taking time for their own mental and emotional health. That worry does not make those teachers more prepared. During weekends and holidays, you need to turn your brain OFF of work. The same goes for personal problems. Sometimes you need to take a break from thinking about something so that you stop worrying. When your mind is clear, start preparing. - Make a best case scenario plan - Make a worst case scenario plan - Schedule what you can control into your calendar - Create flexible content or resources you can access if either plan turns out - Don’t place anything on your to-do list that is a maybe or that you can’t control (meaning don’t take on new tasks until you have direction) Worrying is an energy trap. If you’re a detailed-oriented over-thinker, then redirect your energy to creating an action plan and a back-up contingency plan. At least then you’ll have something to show for the hours you’d otherwise be upset and no further ahead. Remember: your wellbeing is more important than your worry. If you need more help with that, I specialize is educator self care and welcome you to join my online course. Learn more through the links in my bio! #teachingisfun #whyiteach #teachergoals #teacherinspiration #teachertruth #schoolteacher #teacherpd #educationpositive #educationiskey #teacherhumor #teacherlife🍎 #teacherfriends #highschoolteacher #educator #teachersofig #iteach #selfcarematters https://www.instagram.com/p/CQt43efsNsf/?utm_medium=tumblr

Psycho Pass Teacher

‪When you get to spend a rare FLEX time (club activity) period watching PsychoPass with some of your favorite students and discuss the essential components of good character development!

Today a student showed me their Christmas list which included binders-and I'm not talking 3 ring.

There’s something special about getting to see the #creativity and #passion come to life in my students. #privileged #humbled #whyiteach . . . . . . #instagood #smile #lovewhatyoudo #picoftheday #photooftheday #storyteller #creative #dreamer #instapic #instadaily #professor #highereducation https://www.instagram.com/p/B2g3im6FrYU/?igshid=3k2iobt38zf2

Guys, this is #whyiteach 😭 I’m so incredibly grateful for such thoughtful kids! Ahh my heart ♥️ https://www.instagram.com/p/B1PuMEslh01L5AkB445Z7GqQ8a9Kn_-cEefqaw0/?igshid=g3mq4d70z747

And now it’s back to school, too! As much as I’ve loved being back in school, I’m definitely just as glad it’ll be done soon. One of the things I was most worried about going back to school was figuring out how to manage it all. It was a small learning curve, but it’s been so great continuing my education. Never would I have thought I would have the opportunity to go back to school to earn a Master’s in a field I find great passion. I’m so thankful I’ve been able to work through the challenges, the learning opportunities, and experiences! So life currently isn’t the simplest. At least not as much I would love it to be or my Living Simply motto. But it’s my beautiful life with my family and our crazy schedule. But we always find time to spend together or at least ask how our days were in passing. #2019 is still off to a great start for us! ___________________________________ #linkinbio for more Living Simply ideas! . . . . . #inlivingbesideme #livingsimply #lifestyleblogger #lifestyleblog #momblogger #bloggingmom #blogginggals #blogginglife #livesimple #simplyliving #keepingitsimple #teacher #teaching #whyiteach #educator #student #gradstudent #gradstudentlife #educationalleadership #admin #principal #principalinthemaking https://www.instagram.com/p/BsrZSselA01/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=up6r68ia3cx3

Denise, a second grade teacher at MHS, shares why she loves working at Milton Hershey School.  

(via Pinterest)

Congrats @russt_russt and all my UTech Marketing Seminar graduates. It felt SO GOOD seeing you collect your degrees!!! #proudmama #teachersmatter #whyiteach (at Kingston, Jamaica) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpyTlPQg8Yc-Leerej_Umvi-70cXUaWoYqEwl40/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=s1ipb9vm5w81

Why 30% of teachers are walking away. What are they walking away from? BURNOUT! Teaching has always been a demanding career, but this year has been especially challenging. Additional pressures, workloads, and stress have been put on teachers' shoulders this year with no help from the upper administration. Not every teacher is burned out, though. How have some teachers been thriving through all of this? Is their system repeatable? Most teachers who thrive can't even place their finger on the reason behind their success. It's not obvious. They still care about students. They still do their work. But something about them is different. They think differently; they have a different story. Learn more about the false story of teacher burnout! Go to the "Overcome Distorted Thinking as a Teacher" value video in my bio or click here: https://wellness-potential-teacher.mykajabi.com/overcome-distorted-thinking . . . #teacherssupportingteachers #teacheradvice #iteach #wellnessforteachers #teacherselfcarechallenge #teacherworklifebalance #teachersupport #teachertips #teachertribe #tiredteacher #teacherthings #educationstories #teacherstories #whyiteach https://www.instagram.com/p/CQTFuY0sYK-/?utm_medium=tumblr

#Repost @mrscteachesme ・・・ Couldn’t agree any more @teacherthrive #WhyITeach. I believe in giving students a view of helping their community grow, and solving issues they are passionate about, is a wonderful way to introduce them to their career and the workforce. FUN FACT- before I went into my teaching & learning program I was fast track to law school for two years. I realized in my studies that the issues I wanted to tackle would be best approached hands on in a classroom. Teaching is my form of liberation and I hope to give students a platform to gain confidence, respect, and a worldly perspective of their community. Why do you teach? Let me know in the comments ⬇️⬇️. #whydoyouteach #teachersofinstagram #teachersfollowteachers #socialeducation #hiphoped

#whyiteach #shiningeyes (at Royal Theatre (Victoria, British Columbia))