Worthwhile Links for Teachers

Taylor Mali, spoken word poet, empowers teachers one word at a time to keep doing what we do for this country.  We don't get the respect we deserve in this country! And yet we teach on.

The full article: New Approach to Discipline that Really Works This article is about so much more than discipline.  It is about a revolution from punishment to compassion.  We need to be aware of t the trauma that exists in the majority of our students' lives. From the article--these things made me nod vigorously: -" Their future is more important than their past." -" Many education experts say that kids wouldn’t have problems if their parents would just get involved. But the parents of most of the students at Lincoln HIgh are themselves are struggling with the effects of their own childhood trauma, and many are passing the trauma on to their children." -" One of the keys has been a staff that embraces two basic concepts: toxic stress prevents kids from learning, and moving from a punitive approach to a supportive, educational approach changes behavior." This chunk of the article may be one of the most important.  But, as an educator, espec

Some great things to say that are No-Nonsense and Nurturing at the same time: 1. I care way too much about you to allow you to act that way. 2. You are too important to this world to waste your time misbehaving. 3. I care about you, so I am not going to allow you to put your head down in this classroom. 4. I demand that you act in a way that will get you to college because I know you can 5. No time for foolishness, scholars!  We've got important work to do. BMC quick re-cap: 1. Have the attention of all students (wait for 100%) 2. Check for understanding 3. Cue students to start Have an extraordinary classroom! Tell them to be above ordinary.

so...what does this even mean?? Let's start from the beginning. What else? What can we do about it? Informed and resilient teachers who know their strengths and weaknesses are most effective for tapping into the mindsets of those you perceive as different or the same as yourself. Source: TFA, Atlanta Institute Diversity Competencies session

Firm but motivational is the way to go.   Be unrelenting, uncompromising, and consistent without a cruel tone of voice or unjust punishment.

Yasmin TFA Literacy Specialist