Blogs
Math Student Vital Actions: Guest Blog by Jennifer Hawkins
In this guest blogpost, Jen Hawkins talks about student vital actions focusing primarily in the math classroom, although these vital actions can be applied to any classroom.
Teaching is an Artistic Skill: A Guest Blog Post by Aly Marie Moniz
Aly Marie Moniz, Pilates instructor extraordinaire, explains why teaching is an artistic skill. Make sure to check out podcast episode 87 The Teacher As Pilates Instructor with Aly as well.
Meaningful Math Games
This blogpost is chock full of math games that were discussed in Episode 81: Meaningful Math Games with Ann Elise Record and Dr. Nicki Newton.
Top Gun Maverick: Reluctant Teacher
Melissa breaks down Lt. Pete Mitchell as a teacher in Top Gun Maverick. Pete, known as Maverick, has his students doing and practicing and he limits his lecture time. He scaffolds skills and works on building a team. He also assesses them along the way. This reluctant teacher crushes it.
The Teacher As Actor Part 6: Actors React
Actors react to their scene partners in different ways. As teachers we have so many ways to react when students are confused and struggling. Focus on empathy and a culture of taking responsibility for our learning.
The Teacher As Actor Part 5: Guest blog by Milton Justice
After their Zoom chat for the podcast, Melissa asked Milton Justice, Emmy and Oscar winner, acting teacher, author, and podcaster, to write a guest blog post and luckily Milton happily agreed. Enjoy!
The Teacher As Actor Part 4: Confidence and Respect
In the fourth blog post in the Teacher as Actor series, Melissa shares two videos about body language and exuding confidence.
Keeping Mentally Strong: Guest Blogpost by Michael Studer
Youth runner, Michael Studer, shares some inspiration and motivation in this guest blog post.
The Teacher As Actor Part Two: Listen, Process, React
In this second post about the teacher as actor, I share my thoughts on being in the moment as a teacher, just like actors must be in the moment.
Zooming in on Work/Life Balance
Students benefit from teachers who understand the importance of having a work/life balance. In this post, Melissa shares her journey in trying to work smarter, not harder.
“Past Mistakes”: A Guest Post by Michael Earnshaw
Michael Earnshaw, principal and cohost of the podcast Punk Rock Classrooms shares his thoughts on leadership and sharing your passions and your past.
The Teacher As Supportive Practitioner: Guest Post by Robyn Bratica
Robyn Bratica shares about social emotional learning.
The Teacher as Firefighter: Noticing the Signals and Venting
What does firefighting have to do with teaching?
The Teacher As Music Educator: Guest Post Holly Hudson
Holly shares about teaching music in an urban school and how COVID is effecting her students’ education.
The Teacher As Mathematician Guest Post by Ann Elise Record
Subtraction is the Achilles’ Heel of our Students: But it Doesn’t Need to Be
The Teacher As Paranormal Investigator: Reading the Energy in the Classroom
Checking in on student engagement in brick and mortar or online.
The Teacher As Change Agent: Project Based Learning and Design Thinking
Tapping into authenticity and student interest.
The Teacher As Extreme Cleaning Specialist
Practical ideas inspired by my conversation with Matt Paxton.
