A week ago, I gave a professional development segment on humanizing online learning spaces at the start of the year and building strong relationships from the get-go.* One simple start to such an effort is to create a teacher intro video that introduces students to who you are as their teacher. Take a look at […]
An Interview w/ Troy Hicks for the Writing Matters Podcast
In November 2019, I had the privilege of speaking with teacher-author Troy Hicks for a bit. That talk is below. I hope it encourages you.
How to Deal with Bad Feelings About Teaching This Year: A Self-Examination Protocol for Understanding (and Starting to Do Something About) Negative Teacher Emotions
Educators around the US this summer find themselves at the start of an alien August. Never before has this turning of the calendar included such tumultuous inner circumstances: fear, anger, division, bitterness, confusion, anxiousness, apathy… and, of course, some good bits too as we glimpse excitement and determination and enthusiasm and reunion. But it’s the […]
People, Not Passwords: Why You Need a Catchphrase or Two to Define Your Challenges This Fall
A quick story: last week I was speaking with a former student named Dylan. At one point, he asked me a question. “So, Mr. Stuart, will you be teaching students or usernames this fall?” What he meant with his wry smile was clear — at the time, our district hadn’t released its finalized back-to-school plan […]
A Three-Question Checklist for Building Stronger Relationships through Moments of Genuine Connection
As I’ve shared before, relationships are not the point of a teacher’s work, but they are one of teaching’s most fundamental currencies and most gratifying rewards. With more American schools than ever before launching into all-online starts, many teachers are concerned with just how to build strong relationships with students from afar. The good news […]