I was at the dentist the other day when I shared that I taught math. Like clockwork, the dentist shared that he was in fact a ‘math person.’ This is a common occurrence although most respond that they are not ‘math people.’ When did everyone split themselves into two camps of math ability? I am really asking because I do not know, and I would like to rectify this as soon as possible. ...
Advice for a First Year Teacher
Dear First Year Teacher, As you prepare for your new year, I hope you can learn from my many, many mistakes as a first year teacher. My teacher friend, Eric, said it best, “Teaching is a multi-facted skill: planning, organization, execution, etc. Nobody is good at all or even most of it right away. Know that each year is going to refine your game a little bit more, and focus on small ...
Creating Positive Classroom Culture
Whenever I tell people that I teach at a middle school, people respond with “Middle school? I could never do that,” or “Middle schoolers are so awkward,” which is exactly why I LOVE it! Middle schoolers have the best sense of humor, are unintentionally funny, and they still think your jokes (well, sometimes) are funny. These students bring me so much JOY. Coming from someone who spent ...
Budget Friendly Classroom Decorations
Confession: my favorite part of being a teacher is decorating my classroom. It is too fun! You take this lifeless, white-walled, empty space and make it vibrant, inviting, and covered in knowledge. You might say this is a metaphor with what teachers do to students’ brains: teachers fill and transform the minds of their students. But, if you are like me, the August paycheck isn’t ...
Tips for Implementing Math Small Group Instruction
What do you do with the kids that “don’t get it”? I think this is a constant battle that we face as teachers. Sometimes it even keeps us up at night. Earlier I shared about my Math Intervention Schedule and wanted to share tips for implementing math small group instruction. If your classroom functions like mine, a typical class period might consist of a warm up, guided notes, a ...