3 Simple Ways Administration Can Inspire Teacher Motivation

I frequently speak with educators regarding their experiences at their schools.  I pay attention to the correlation between their moral and other factors outside of their control.


Outside factors considered (thanks to School Digger):

• School performance (statewide performance, test scores)
• Student body (diversity, free/reduced lunch %)
• Classroom set-up (student/teacher ratio, staff size)

I can usually tell what stance their school administration takes in the teacher/administration relationship department based on a 5-minute conversation.

Unfortunately, as schools perform poorly, the pressure from above crashes down on teachers and slowly depletes their drive, passion, and purpose.  

Here are 3 simple ways school administration can keep the ship moving forward towards progress.

1. Autonomy

Give teachers the freedom to exercise creativity in the classroom.  

The negative effects of micromanaging can be detrimental to the structure of a classroom/school.  Don't micromanage a teacher's classroom.  Instead, offer constructive feedback on the things that'll have the greatest impact on the overall classroom environment.

Let teachers shine through their personal strengths and interests.

2.  Mastery

Enable teachers to do work that matters and that will help better their mastery.

Don't be too rigid.  Allow your staff to experiment with a new model or system they've recently discovered.  By doing things the same way they've always been done, how much are you expecting to change/improve?  

If your staff is taking the time outside of school to improve their craft, then you should be open to allowing them to experiment in the classroom.

Who knows, it might be just the thing your school is searching for.  

3.  Purpose

Purpose is often lost when stress and pressure blind us from a school's vision.

Frequently remind staff of the reason you're together and the challenges that you'll overcome together.  This may seem obvious, but it seems as if many educators feel as if their school leadership doesn't do a great job at communicating the purpose.

4 Unique (and Free) Online Tools for Teachers

Teachers are always searching for new resources and tools to make their super busy day, a little less, well, cluttered.  I've compiled a list of 4 resources that may not be so common in the education field, but can save a lot of time.

I would like to note that most of these resources primarily work with Google e-mail/calendar accounts.

1.  Google Alerts


I'm still surprised at the number of teachers I meet who have never heard of Google Alerts.  This resource can save a tremendous amount of time and effort.

All you have to do is input relevant terms and Google will e-mail a list of links that match your search criteria.  This is especially helpful if you're scholars are learning about a specific person or topic.

This is also a great way to stay up-to-date with current national or local news that may be of interest to your scholars.  You can schedule the frequency of the updates so you're not flooding your inbox daily.

2.  You Can Book Me


Fact: We live in a busy world.  Parent/teacher meetings or conferences are often a time consuming and challenging to schedule.  What if there was a much easier way to schedule these meetings?  Well, you're in luck!

Automated booking services (there are a lot) like You Can Book Me are popular in the sales world but are rarely mentioned in the world of education.

Think of this as having "office hours" for your parents.  You choose the times you're available to meet and once the parent/guardian signs up for a time, you'll both receive an update and it'll be ready on your calendar.

* I realize not every family has access to technology, so this isn't 100% effective, but more than not, this works.

3.  Sidekick


You've sent home several notes with a scholar you're concerned about with no response.  You've called but can't seem to get someone on the phone.  Now what?

Well, you could send an e-mail, but how do you even know if the parent or guardian checks their e-mail?

Well, now you can.

Sidekick (also popular in the world of sales) is a tool that will allow you know if a parent/guardian opens your e-mail.  In addition, you'll know how many times they've opened the e-mail with the times documented.

This isn't a tool I would openly mention to any parent.  Yes, it is slightly creepy, but knowing the message was received to the intended recipient is extremely valuable.  There's also a Google Chrome extension that's very helpful.

You get 200 free message updates per month, which should be plenty for most teachers.

4.  Unroll Me


If you're like me, your e-mail is jam packed by the end of the school day.  There's a mixture of parent messages, newsletters, and advertisements.

Unroll me is a great way to bundle all of your less urgent e-mails into one daily e-mail digest.  It's very user-friendly and is a great way to make sure the most important e-mails are waiting for you in your inbox each day.

I bundle Teachers Pay Teachers updates, education blogs, and company advertisements into one simple daily e-mail.

* Tip:  Make sure you go in once every week or so to update your new subscriptions.  

Bonus:  You can unsubscribe from all of the items you'd rather not receive.



Did I leave out any resources that you love?  Feel free to share your favorite resources below.

Parent Brush-Offs: How to Handle “I Don’t Have Time For This”

If you're an educator, then I'm sure you've encountered your fair share of parent brush-offs.

Dealing with parent's who are avoiding communication is a challenging obstacle to overcome.  The reason for the brush-off may vary from confronting a scholar's inappropriate behavior to discussing a plan of action for academic improvement.

It is at this moment persistence must prevail.  This triangle of communication (scholar/parent/school) is the make or break for scholar achievement.

Here are 2 common parent brush-off's and how to handle them while emphasizing urgency and accountability.  

"I don't have time to talk right now."

As teachers, we get it.  Parents are very busy professionals and there's a good chance our call is interrupting something "important."

Once the parent/guardian realizes that the call may be of serious concern, you'll hear "I don't have time to talk right now."  Boom!

In my first few years in the classroom, I would respond with "Sorry for interrupting!  I'll call later."  This response frequently failed because there wasn't a clear "next step."  What does "call later" even mean?

Instead, try this:

Parent:  "I don't have time to talk right now."

Teacher:  (silence - don't say a word!)

Parent:  "Hello?  Are you there?"

Teacher:  "Of course.  I thought you were checking your calendar for a better time for us to discuss [scholars name] [issue].

Once parents hear that response, you'll walk away with a date and time to discuss concerns.

"Can you just send me some practice/information."

As educators, we strive to provide students with the tools they need to be successful.  We don't just send worksheet after worksheet so the parent can keep their child busy at home.

Send home strategies the parent can utilize and follow up to hold them accountable.

Parent:  "I can't talk right now.  Can you send home more [concept/skill] practice?"

Teacher:  "Sure!  I will call you tomorrow evening to get your feedback on what I've sent home with [student name] tonight."

If the parent agrees to the follow-up, then they are on board!  In the follow-up, ask the parent what they noticed and how they helped.  You may realize that the parent is also having trouble with the concept, which should lead to an in-person meeting.

Some parents equate tons of homework with success and that's usually not the case.  Without truly taking the time to discuss the student struggles, the parent is avoiding the issue at hand.

11 Habits to Become a More Effective Teacher

What makes an educator "effective" in the classroom?  What are they doing that other teachers aren't?

I wanted to explore this topic and break down key habits that lead to success in the classroom.

Prepare ahead of time.

An effective teacher prepares for each lesson, each and every day.  They research the learning objective and prepare the materials needed to carry out the lesson.

Master teachers don't "wing it."  They have a plan for everything, including scholar misunderstandings.

Make sure your lesson goals and objectives are bite-sized and measurable.

Effective teachers take the standards and break them down into measurable actions. By making student expectations measurable, a teacher can pinpoint the weak areas and focus on filling in the missing pieces.

An effective teacher masters their process down to an exact science.

Know the curriculum.

Being a great teacher is half of the equation. Knowing the curriculum inside out is the other half.

Efficient teachers work through the standards to help them understand the "blockers" scholars might face when striving for mastery. After that, they explore the best ways they can help scholars address these issues.

Constantly build personal relationships.

Efficient teachers understand the importance of building relationships with colleagues, parents, and scholars. The best teachers are constantly making new connections and staying in touch with their support system.

Instead of asking, "What's in it for me?" they ask, "How can I help?"

Think from the student's point of view.

Intelligent educators understand that to effectively connect, they shouldn't just think about the end result. They ask themselves how they can help the scholars succeed. They become an ally for their scholars.

Listen.

This one may seem obvious.

Effective teachers seek to understand their scholars and families as much as possible and they do this by actively listening.

Want to see a great teacher in action? Just sit-in on a parent-teacher conferences at your school. If the teacher is doing 80%+ of the talking, then they aren't listening enough.  

Get eight hours of sleep every night.

Here's a no-brainer.

Effective teachers know the importance of rest. They know how demanding the school day can be and prepare for that by getting enough sleep.

If a teacher is exhausted, their scholars will notice. The lack of enthusiasm will come through in their lessons and presentations.

Believe in what you're teaching.

It's a lot easier to be enthusiastic about, and teach a lesson when you genuinely believe in what you're teaching. Once you believe you're lesson will better the lives of your scholars, your passion will shine through.

Be purpose-driven.

The majority of teachers aren't teaching for the money. What's your purpose?  

Purpose can be the greatest motivator in the classroom. Knowing you're positively changing the lives of scholars each and every day is powerful.

Eat well.

I've posted a blog explaining the importance of teacher nutrition and its impact on energy levels. Make sure you're giving your body the fuel it needs to be the most efficient teacher possible.

Click Here for more on the Productivity Diet

Never stop learning.

Personally, I believe this is the number one habit of highly effective educators.  

They are always looking for the next best thing to help their scholars, they are lost in books during summer break, they are participating in online professional development (Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.), they NEVER STOP LEARNING.

Effective teachers never settle.

Did I leave out any habits of effective teachers? Please feel free to comment below.

Boost Your Teaching Power! (The Productivity Diet)

Good nutrition is a key component to performing optimally in the classroom.

This blog topic may seem obvious for some, but it's actually following through on a consistent basis that counts.  Why?

School days are often long and unpredictable.  These days require laser-focus, attention to detail, and a lot of energy.  Unexpected notes, calls, and e-mails fill in the little bit of "planning" time provided throughout the day.  By the end of the day, you may find yourself drained.

Finding a nutritious snack randomly laying around your school may be like searching for Waldo in your daily newspaper.  Eating for sustainable energy is actually quite simple.

Are you serious about boosting your teacher power in the classroom?  Great!  The infographic below is a good place to start.

Feel free to share this blog post with fellow teachers!

This infographic is published with permission from Blog.HubSpot.com.

The Do's and Don'ts of Following Up with Parents

Communication with parents is a key part of any teacher's job.  Communication is non-stop in the busy day of an educator.  Phone calls, notes, e-mails are always in-transit and it's often difficult to stay afloat.

While all means of communication can be beneficial, they are often missing the most important element.

How should teachers prove that they have the best interest of a scholar in mind?  It's simple:  just follow up.

Maybe teachers don't follow up with parents as much as they should simply because they don't have the "time" or see the value it holds.  But even sending a quick personal e-mail, note or call home following a conversation/meeting can accomplish a lot.

Immediate follow up accomplishes three key things:

1. Awareness that you care about their scholar.
2. Communication is a top priority.
3. Parents and scholars are held accountable.

A quick e-mail or note summarizing the parent/teacher meeting should contain the important points covered, key next steps for the parent/scholar, and a specific follow-up date.  It also doesn't hurt if you're creative and personal in your message.

Dos

1. Follow up the same day.
2. Be creative and personal. (add a picture or quote)
3. Be authentic. (show that you're human and not a robot on autopilot)

Don'ts

1. Forget to follow up.
2. Be impersonal.
3. Be unprofessional.

If you only take one thing away from this blog post, make it this:  Following up is central to student success.

The Truth About RTI

What does response to intervention mean?

“Response to Intervention (RTI) is a multi-tier approach to the early identification and support of students with learning and behavior needs.”(Gorski).  RTI is an acronym that a lot of parents fear hearing because there is a common misconception that it means their child has a learning disability.  Don't worry, that's not necessarily true. In fact, RTI is a system to ensure students who need instructional support, get that support.

The Model

“Though there is no single, thoroughly researched and widely practiced “model” of the RTI process, it is generally defined as a three-tier (or three-step) model of school supports that uses research-based academic and/or behavioral interventions.”(Gorski).

The RTI model is a bit idealistic and the majority of schools with an at-risk population will see around 50%-70% in the tier 1 stage.  This can be overwhelming for teachers as the documentation can become extremely time-consuming.  Schools with high at-risk populations must designate additional support to help teachers with the RTI monitoring.

Each tier should receive roughly the same amount of time for independent and small group instruction. But what does it mean when a teacher says, we're moving your child to "Tier 2," please sign this paperwork? Below are some general characteristics of students at each tier in the RTI model.

Tier 1:

• Scholars benefit from the school-wide adopted curriculum.
• Scholars must be challenged to meet their potential.  

Tier 2:  

• Scholars who fall below the expected levels of accomplishment (called benchmarks)
• At-risk for academic failure.
• Benefit from small group instruction (5-7 students) with a strategic approach to remediation.

Tier 3:

• Scholars who are considered to be at high risk for failure
• Candidates for identification could have special education needs.
• Scholars benefit from individual or small group instruction (3 to 5 students).
• Tier 3 is considered special education in some schools; however, in many RTI models, the students are not identified as special education students at this point.

How does response to intervention promote student learning?

Education in America has come a long ways and will always be a work in progress.  We’ve been down the road of the “one-size fits all” model that fails time and again.  The RTI model holds teachers and schools accountable to ensure that all students are receiving instruction that is rigorous and challenging for their developmental level. There is no doubt that teachers are promoting student learning by differentiating their instruction based on the RTI model and progress monitoring.

What does response to intervention look like in the classroom?

You should see a variety of instructional methods taking place that differentiate the instruction to meet the needs of all learners.  If you’re an administrator or a visiting parent to your scholar’s classroom, focus on “The Key Three” below and take mental notes.

The Key Three (based on the Universal Design for Learning):

1. How is the material being presented to the students?
2. How are the students allowed to express what they’ve learned?
3. What’s the student engagement like?  How does the teacher keep interest, encourage effort, and promote self-reflection?

So, the next time you hear your child's teacher mention RTI and differentiated instruction, remember, that's a good thing. It means they're giving your child the support they need to be successful.

Gorski, Deb. "What is RTI?." What is Response to Intervention (RTI)? | RTI Action Network. n.p., n.d. Web. 26 May 2015.

How to Help Your Scholar Avoid Summer Learning Loss

Most parents and teachers would agree students should enjoy summer break and relax a little following a daunting school year.  But this often leaves many parents, educators, and schools with one question:  What about summer learning loss?

Summer learning loss can be avoided with a little effort in planning a simple summer learning schedule and the research shows that a little is enough.

Research and Summer Learning Loss

Summer learning loss is the loss in academic skills and knowledge over the course of summer break.  Research shows that the learning loss depends on several factors, which include grade level, subject matter, and family income.

While all students experience some form of learning loss, some students are more vulnerable than others.  “Children who are the most susceptible are those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, ethnic minorities and students with exceptionalities (Graham, 2011; Guryan & Kim, 2010; & Kim, 2006). Further, it is predominantly literacy-related skills that are affected the most (Graham,2011).”

Planning a Summer Learning Schedule

Students spend roughly 180 days a year on a very structured schedule at school.  Structure is necessary for students as they become more fluent with transitions and expectations.  Structure is often missing over summer vacation.

A simple scheduled to help students avoid summer learning loss.  I propose that the summer schedule be created with the student.  Students are more inclined to take ownership of their summer goals and schedule if they’re part of the planning.  

Creating a plan will enable the student to expand their goal setting and self-reflection skills.  Designating a journal to document goal progress will also help.

Learning = Fun

Summer learning can be as enjoyable or as unpleasant as the parent/educator makes it.  Learning should be engaging.  Summer is a fabulous time to include other activities that involve learning and critical thinking while having fun.  

Lego's, model car kits, and puzzles are excellent toys for developing critical thinking skills.  Family game night?  Monopoly, chess, and card games all support learners observe patterns, plan ahead, and learn from experience.  

There’s no shortage of online websites and mobile apps to support student learning.  Take some time to scout out a few digital resources your scholar may be interested in and structure them into another learning block.

(Check out Graphite for a nice collection of suggestions, reviews, and ratings for online educational tools!)

Don’t forget that trips to a pool, park, museum, and library are learning experiences that will also have a lasting impression on their desire to learn more.  

So it is clear that although students do deserve a mental break, summer learning loss can be avoided by creating a learning plan, designating the time, and fostering the love of learning.

For more specific ideas, questions, and suggestions, please feel free to send in a message.