Category: Reflection

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May We Never Forget

Where were you on that fateful day
In September 2001?
Were you busy at work or learning at school
Or had your day just barely begun?

Did you watch it unfold
As it aired on TV?
Was your heart uncertain and scared?
Did you ask yourself, “How can this be?”

The world stood still and everyone watched;
We sat in disbelief and in shock.
How could there be such evil?
Our faith and trust they did rock.

Shaken and battered,
Afraid and unsure,
Forward we moved,
Knowing unity could cure.

People all over stepped in and stepped up.
Amidst all the sadness, the terror, and pain,
Selfless heroes helped others,
Not seeking any personal gain.

While some ran away to escape the debris,
Others ran in, one objective in mind:
To help who they could whatever the cost,
And do their best to save lives. 

As the dust settled down,
And we began to restore,
As a country we came together,
Unified and changed evermore.

As those who did witness
The events of that day,
We must never forget 
And must teach our children to do the same. 

Teach them to love, to be kind, and uplift,
Show them how to lead with kindness and grace.
Ensure that they know that hate never wins,
That love conquers all, and everyone has a place.

Teach them to care, to listen, and help.
To look out for others, to lend a hand when they’re called.
Above all else, let them never forget:
United we stand, divided we fall.

-Logan Nielsen, 2025

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As today marks 24 years since the tragic events of September 11, 2001 took place, may we all take a moment to reflect on that day and the people whose lives were forever changed because of those events. May we teach our students and our children about this day, just like our parents and teachers taught us about previous wars and history-making/changing events. Let us encourage all we come in contact with to be a little kinder, a little more gentle, and a little more helpful. May we spread kindness and love whenever we can, and may we never forget this day.

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Homework Isn’t Just Worksheets

We can all agree that there are pros and cons to giving kids homework, and that it really should only be given if it’s meaningful. Reading, for example, is homework I’m never mad about. Building reading skills is crucial for life long success, and the more kids do it, the better they will be at it. Sending home a coloring page, however, doesn’t seem as meaningful to me. Fun? Sure. But a good use of precious after-school time? Not so much. 

I saw a social media post the other day that got me thinking about things that aren’t assigned as homework, but maybe should be. Skills that are important for every day life, people skills, and problem solving skills. Grading them would be subjective, and participation and effort would matter more than the outcome, but what is learned/gained would set kids up for long term success beyond the walls of the classroom. 

How would something like this be assigned and evaluated? I suppose it depends on the skill being practiced. Perhaps teachers can create a “menu” of possible skills for students to choose from. Maybe some teachers would want to assign everyone in the class the same task to work on. Some might even want to create “task groups” where small groups of students are all given a certain task and can help each other and cheer each other on. Evaluation might look like parents signing a log, pictures, written reflection, or some other tangible or observable result of the student’s practice. 

What kinds of things would be assigned? I think this depends on your students’ needs and situations. Obviously, a high school teacher is going to assign some things that are geared more toward older kids, such as learning to balance a bank account, whereas a kindergarten teacher might assign something like learning to tie shoes. 

Here’s a few ideas to get you started:

  • Learning to balance a bank account
  • Learning to make a phone call and set an appointment or order food— not everything has to be done through an app
  • Going to the store to make a purchase— selecting your items, conversing with a cashier, and sticking to a budget are great skills
  • Cooking a simple meal (with adult supervision)
  • Spending time outside— fresh air does wonders for both the body and mind
  • Doing a puzzle or playing a board game with at least one other person— teamwork, cooperation, and good sportsmanship are essential
  • Sitting down to eat a meal as a family— a great chance to have good conversations
  • Helping with household chores— those skills are needed!
  • Helping people
  • Learning how to write a letter, address an envelope, and send it in the mail
  • Go to the library, get a library card, and check out some books
  • Free play— giving kids unstructured play time is SO important for their imaginations
  • If possible, learning how to maintain a yard
  • Learning how to give and receive compliments
  • When it’s an appropriate age, learning to ask someone out on a date, face-to-face
  • Finding a good sleep routine
  • Screen-free time— it’s good for so many reasons
  • Spending time at a retirement or assisted living facility— the older generation can teach us so much
  • Meditation 

Some might argue that parents should be incorporating these skills into their family’s routines and lives, but not all family situations allow for things like this, and unfortunately, not all parents are supportive and involved in their children’s lives. 

And yes, teachers already do so much, using their days to teach core subjects. But I don’t know of a single teacher that wouldn’t mind devoting at least a little bit of time to helping their students build skills that will set them up for life long success. 

Regardless of where you stand regarding these things being assigned as homework, I’m sure we can all agree that the rising generation needs support, guidance, and encouragement as they navigate life and learn essential skills. 

What else would you add to the list above?

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Dear Teacher: An Introductory Assignment

My last post was full of ice breaker and getting to know you ideas that involved the entire class. Today I wanted to share another idea for getting to know your students, but this one is done individually, and as a homework assignment.

Because I was an English teacher, this assignment worked particularly well for my class, but it can work just as well for any other content area. The assignment was called “Dear Teacher” and was a chance for students to write a letter to me. I gave them suggestions about what they could tell me, but also left it open for them to choose the content of their letter. 

Some of the suggested topics included:

  • Favorite food
  • Favorite subject
  • Favorite music, movie, book, actor/actress, show
  • Family— how many siblings, things they like to do, etc.
  • Friends— who their friends are, what they like to do together, etc.
  • Favorite vacations they’ve been on
  • Things they did over the summer
  • What they’re looking forward to about this new school year
  • Goals they may have
  • Their feelings about reading & writing (or whatever your content area may be)
  • Anything else they felt like telling me

I also required the assignment to be hand written (this gave me a glimpse into their grammar and spelling skills since they weren’t using a computer with spell/grammar check), and required the length to be about 1- 1.5 pages long. I wanted it long enough for them to tell me about themselves, but not so long that I was reading these letters for the rest of my days!

This assignment was always so fun to get back from students. I loved learning about them! Beyond the “getting to know you” objective of the assignment, these letters also gave me insight into their writing style, grammar/spelling skills, handwriting, and personalities. Another thing I really liked about this assignment was that, because I had assured them I wasn’t going to be sharing their letters with other students, it allowed students to be completely honest and open. I had students open up and tell me about difficulties at home, friend struggles, learning struggles, and so on. It let them know right off the bat that I was a safe person who had their best interests in mind. 

The “Dear Teacher” letter was always just a participation grade, which was a great way to start off the year. It was a low-stakes, no pressure assignment to ease them into graded writing that would come later. 

So while this assignment was really quite simple, it accomplished much more than surface level formalities. 

What kind of assignments do you give your students to start the year?

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A Letter to Students

Dear Students,

I’ve been in your shoes before, so I get it. The back-to-school nerves are real. The thoughts are swirling around in your mind like a tornado: what is my teacher like? Will any of my friends be in my class? Where will I sit in the classroom? Is my teacher going to like me? What if I don’t understand the stuff I’m learning? It’s a lot, and it can feel so overwhelming! But you know what? I know that you can do it! I know you can be successful and brave and tough. I know this because you’ve done it before— you did it last school year, and that turned out ok, so I know you can do it again. 

You’re amazing and capable of incredible things! If you don’t mind, I’d like to give you a few suggestions for setting yourself up for success. 

First, be patient. With yourself, your teacher, and your classmates. Everyone learns at their own pace, and that’s ok! I know you’d want people to be patient with you, so it’s nice to offer that same patience to everyone else.

Second, keep trying! We don’t always succeed the first time we try something new. Keep pushing, keep trying, and don’t give up! Ask for help if you need it, and don’t be afraid to try new things. You will learn so much as you keep trying!

Third, be kind. Our world could use more kindness, so do your part to make that happen. Even if someone is unkind to you, do your best to be nice to them. Say hi, offer to help, give a compliment, smile, or hold the door open. Being kind doesn’t cost anything, and it doesn’t hurt you to be kind. In fact, I bet you’ll feel happier if you are kind, and the people who you are nice to will feel happier, too! Everyone wins! Don’t worry so much about being the cool kid, the best dressed kid, or the fastest reader in your class. Be the kind kid. Be the kid that cares. 

Fourth, don’t forget to have fun! Life is too short to spend it being grumpy. Laugh with your friends, be silly sometimes, and do the things that make you happy. Take time to do something fun every day.

Lastly, try to stay positive. When things get difficult, do your best to look for the good things that are happening around you. If you do this, it will help you see that life isn’t all that bad afterall! At the end of each day, think about all the good things that happened to you— it will help you notice the happy parts of the day and will boost your mood. 

I know that not every day is going to be fantastic, but I do know that you will make it through. You’ve got lots of people cheering you on, and lots of people who will help you along the way. Believe in yourself, and do your best. You’ve got this!!

Sincerely, 

Someone who believes in you

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Teens Really Are Pretty Cool

I was mindlessly scrolling social media when I came across a reel that had the caption, “What I won’t forget about being your teacher.” The caption grabbed my attention, and I was partly expecting to hear a story about students who caused such havoc that the teacher would never forget them. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find the opposite. The teacher in the reel recounted two different stories where students stepped up and stepped in. So there I was, sitting at my table eating my lunch, suddenly crying about these kids I’ve never even met! Teaching is like that— you become part of a community of people with shared experiences, and your heart is reminded of the things you also experienced as a teacher. It’s really quite beautiful. 

In the first story shared, the teacher shared of a time when he allowed students to pick their own seats for the last term. As the kids settled into their new seats, he noticed that there was one boy left at a table by himself. He wasn’t sure how he was going to handle this without embarrassing the student or creating a scene. Thankfully, his worry was calmed by another student who saw the need, and quietly went to sit with the lonely student. Together, they spent the last term of chemistry class at that table, just the two of them. Crisis averted, and no one was left alone. 

In the second story, he shared a story about when he was chaperoning a high school dance. He looked down the hall to see a girl, sitting on the floor, completely alone, and looking quite distressed. Again, worried about how to approach this, he contemplated what to do. However, once again, another student saved the day. Another girl, by her own choice, came to the rescue, approached the girl on the floor, and spent the next little while talking with her. 

In addition to being deeply touched by these two stories that he shared, I was reminded that, so often, teenagers get a really bad rap. And while there are some kids who are the reason that bad rap exists, there are a ton others who prove the bad rap to be incorrect. Teenagers really are cool kids, and have so much to give. 

I was reminded of a time during my years teaching when I asked students to pull out a piece of paper and a pencil. Students hurriedly rifled through their backpacks and binders to find what they needed. One student, typically disheveled and unprepared, sat there, looking a bit panicked. Without hesitation, the girl next to him quietly and kindly set a piece of paper and pencil on his desk, turned back around, and sat patiently while she waited for my instructions.

Another time, I asked students to get into small groups to complete an assignment. I watched as they quickly formed their groups, with the groupings being exactly as I had thought they would be. Unfortunately, there were a couple of students left out, clearly feeling out of place and not sure what to do. Thankfully, there was a group of boys who saw a need and acted. They invited the un-grouped kids to join their group, and everyone was included. 

One experience that comes to mind is a personal one. My family moved to a new state as I was entering my junior in high school, and I often found myself feeling very alone. This was amplified when I was somehow put into a U.S. Government class full of seniors, non of whom I knew. I was so grateful for the students who sat near me who took it upon themselves to make sure I was included, seen, and heard. I don’t remember their names, but I do remember their kindnesses toward me. 

Time after time, I saw things like this happening in my classroom. Time after time, I was reminded that teenagers really aren’t all they are made out to be. Sure, sometimes they are a bit aloof and unkind, but that’s because they are teenagers. They are still learning how to be people. But underneath it all, they are kind, thoughtful, and observant. The future is in good hands with this generation of kids!

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A Letter to Sports Parents

Dear Sports Parents,

I promise you that the crazy, chaotic schedules are worth it. The nights you spend in your car, shuttling kids from one practice or game to another, they aren’t a waste of time. The time you spend away from your house, eating dinner on the run, is time well spent. It might not seem like it in the moment, but it is. Your kids may not seem grateful for the sacrifices you are making on their behalf, but one day they will understand. 

That loss that your son’s soccer game had the other night was tough, for sure. But it provided your son with experience, opportunity, and growth. It gave him a chance to practice being a good sport, learning from mistakes, and thinking about how he can improve. 

When your daughter made the drill team, but her best friends didn’t, it was a bittersweet moment for you both. It gave you a chance to talk about being proud of your accomplishments, but not rubbing it in people’s faces. It gave her an opportunity to practice empathy and kindness. 

When your daughter’s basketball team took state, you celebrated. You celebrated the long days/nights of practices, the time spent in the bleachers cheering her and her team on, and the growth you’ve seen in her as she’s played. You celebrated her win because you know it’s important to her, and you know how hard she’s worked for it. You celebrated that she was able to see her hard work pay off.

When your son didn’t make the football team, you cried with him after he found out. You told him how proud you were of him for giving it his best shot. You didn’t tell him that things were going to be okay and that he could always try next year. Instead, you let him feel what he felt, and allowed him to grieve what he didn’t get. You supported him and loved him and encouraged him. When he is ready to try again, he’ll let you know. Until then, you keep loving him and cheering him on in whatever he does. 

When all five of your kids wanted to sign up for sports, and they all overlapped, making your schedule a million times more hectic, you did it anyway. You’ll figure out the transportation and time issue later. For now, you’re giving them all a chance to try something out, take a risk, and learn from their experiences. You’re showing them that you believe in them.

You do all of this because you know the amazing benefits that come from kids being on a sports team. Sure, there are the physical benefits of movement, exercise, and strength. But on a less tangible note, the life skills they learn are innumerable. They learn things on the field, in the studio, or in the pool that can’t be taught as effectively in a classroom. Studies have shown that kids who participate in some kind of sports-related activity actually end up doing better academically. Sports give kids the opportunity to learn how to work as a team and how to be a good teammate. Kids learn about sportsmanship. They learn to support and cheer on their peers. They learn that winning isn’t everything. They become more confident. They learn what they are capable of, and how to push themselves beyond what they thought was possible. Sports allow kids to take risks and try new things. Friendships are formed, lessons learned, and new skills are gained. 

So yes, being a parent of a kid (or kids) in sports can be exhausting. It’s time consuming. It can be financially straining at times. But it’s so worth it. The effort you put forth in supporting them is never wasted, and will have lasting effects. So the next time you find yourself scarfing down a protein bar as you drive your son to practice, then race across town to pick your daughter up from her game, remember what you’re doing is important, and is totally worth the sacrifice.

Sincerely,

A fellow sports parent and former teacher

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Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills- Do Both Matter?

Schools are an excellent place for teaching important (some crucial), measurable skills like reading, math, science, other technical skills, and so on. These kinds of skills are called hard skills, and are pretty easy to track progress in— there are clear, definitive answers and methods to how these skills are learned and carried out. Other learned skills, however, don’t have answers and methods that are quite so cut and dry. These are referred to as soft skills— behavioral traits like leadership, time management, communication skills, critical thinking, and problem solving, among others. 

Should schools be responsible for teaching both kinds of skills? I think they already partially are. I believe that when you teach hard skills, the soft skills sometimes just naturally work their way into the teaching and learning. For example, if you are teaching a science concept, and students are put into groups to do an experiment, they will naturally be forced to use problem solving, team work, communication, and other soft skills. 

Soft skills are equally as important (if not more so in some situations) as hard skills are. In fact, many employers today tend to favor soft skill knowledge over hard skill knowledge. In a digital world where people are spending less time interacting face to face, employers today need people who can take responsibility, lead a team, communicate, and effectively solve problems. 

If employers are favoring soft skills over hard skills, then how do we as teachers ensure that we are providing opportunities for our students to learn these important soft skills that will aid them as they grow, progress, and eventually enter the adult world? Like was mentioned before, a lot of it stems from things that are already happening in our classrooms. So many of the activities and projects we ask students to take part in naturally lend themselves to teaching these crucial soft skills. Group work encourages communication and leadership. Reports and presentations give students a chance to practice leadership and communication skills. Word problems and other kinds of problems allow students to use critical thinking skills. Larger projects provide excellent lessons and chances to learn time management and organization skills. 

Soft skills can even be learned outside of the classroom, in places like home, church, or while doing a sport. Sports provide many valuable opportunities for soft skill attainment, and can teach those skills in ways unlike anything else. Parents can encourage their children to learn and practice soft skills within the walls of their homes by providing children with opportunities to lead family meetings, do chores, work as a team with siblings, or manage and balance their activities and time. Church groups can also provide great opportunities for kids to learn communication skills, leadership skills, and empathy.

While some children are seemingly born with natural soft skills, others need to be taught. As adults, we ought to do our best to encourage and teach the youth of today these soft skills that will greatly aid them in the coming years. Our future selves will thank us later.