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Election Day: A Chance to Educate Ourselves and Choose

Franklin D. Roosevelt once said, ”Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education.” What a powerful statement! We, as the American people, have the incredible opportunity to vote for our leaders. With that privilege comes the responsibility to educate ourselves on the candidates and issues being voted upon. Voting is so much more than checking off some boxes on a ballot; educated decisions play a huge role in the outcomes of elections. 

It happened to be an election year the year I turned 18, and I was ecstatic to finally have the chance to cast my vote. I had gone to the polls with my parents in previous years, and had seen and felt the impact of this incredible privilege. But to get to do it myself? Amazing. Me, and 18 year old woman, getting to have my opinion heard on political leaders was something I knew I couldn’t take for granted.

My husband isn’t a natural born citizen; he was born in Brazil and was adopted by American parents. He didn’t become a citizen of the United States until he was almost 20. When we got married, he had yet to vote in an official election. When the 2016 election was nearing, we sat down together and researched each candidate. We read through pamphlets and brochures, scoured websites, talked to people who were informed on issues, and so on. We felt educated and ready to make a decision, so when the day to vote came, we confidently went to the polls together and cast our votes. 

There are an abundance of resources that provide information for voters in today’s digital world. A simple internet search will give you multiple websites to review for candidates and issues. Voters must use good research skills to make sure they are reading fact based information, rather than emotionally charged and biased information. 

In a classroom setting, teachers of any content area can educate students on how to effectively search for and understand the information that is available to them. Reading through candidates’ websites would provide an excellent opportunity to discuss how to determine if a website is heavily biased one way or the other. Election seasons also provide an opportunity to discuss just how much of a privilege it is to have the right to vote. We are so lucky to have such an incredible privilege. 

Whatever your political stance, please exercise your right to vote by heading to the polls today! Educate yourself and go into the polls ready to cast your vote with confidence. Vote with an attitude of gratitude for those that came before us to make it possible for democracy to work in this great nation of ours!  

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Trick-or-Treat: How One Utah School is Only Treats!

If you’ve been an elementary school teacher, you know the level of excitement at the school on Halloween is about ten levels higher than it normally is. The costumes, the promise of a class party at the end of the day, Halloween themed activities, and the knowledge that trick or treating is only a few hours away. Teachers can either lean into this form of chaos and embrace it, or dread it entirely. One school in Utah chooses to embrace it by going all out. I’m talking a school wide theme, with every staff member dressed in theme, and the halls decorated to the max. It’s not just Halloween there; it’s HALLOWEEN! But the best part of all of this? The theme is kept a secret until Halloween morning. The teachers work all year (literally… they start planning in January!) to come up with the ideas and plans for the big day. It is an epic surprise for students and parents alike, and it never disappoints! Past themes have included Coco, Star Wars, and Peter Pan. This year’s theme was Toy Story, and they included every single detail you could imagine, from an oversized working claw to broken and “repurposed” toys at Sid’s house to the cow cart at Al’s Toy Barn. It was incredible! 

I had the chance to walk through the school to admire the detail and excitement of it all, so I took a few pictures for you to enjoy! 

As you can see, the amount of work that went into this is astounding. In fact, the staff doesn’t even begin setting up until the night before, which means they usually end up working late into the night— usually until about midnight— to get everything ready to go. It’s a true labor of love. If you were to ask any of the staff why they do this every single year, every teacher or support staff would say that they do it for the kids. And let me tell you, every person who walks through those doors on Halloween can feel that love and excitement, and I am certain that it’s creating lasting memories for students, teachers, and parents alike.

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Teacher to Admin: Mike’s Story

The administrative team in a school makes a big impact on the teachers and students in the building. Every administrator is different, and every administrator leads in a unique way. The role of a principal or assistant principal is to support, lead, and teach their students and teachers, among other things that would fall under these three categories. In order for an administrator to fully understand what their teachers need, I believe it is crucial that they have spent some time actually teaching in and managing their own classroom. It’s one of those “you don’t understand it until you’ve actually done it” kind of things. I had the chance to talk to Mike, a teacher-turned-administrator, and was able to get his insight on the shift from a classroom teacher to a vice principal. Let’s see what he had to say!

What grade(s) and subject(s) did you teach while you were in the classroom?

6-12

Social Studies – Utah History, U.S. History, Geography, World History, Government, History of Pop Culture, History of Food, Positive Psychology

Financial Literacy

Interior Design

Drama

I was also a school counselor for a year.

What is something you miss about being in the classroom on a daily basis?

The thing that I miss most about being in the classroom is the deeper, more individualized connection I was able to develop with students. I was able to see them on a regular basis, get to know them, understand what strengths they had and what needs they had.

What influenced your decision to leave the classroom and become an administrator?

I went into teaching to advocate and support students. I went into administration to advocate and support teachers. I realized if I could support teachers in a building, I could actually have a broader impact on the larger school population. I also had some situations where I felt like I wasn’t being supported by administrators and wanted to be part of the change. Furthermore, I’ve always been one who wants to learn systems from every angle. Experiencing the public school system from a teaching perspective is much different than experiencing it from an administrative perspective.

What is your favorite thing about being an admin?

My favorite thing about being an admin is problem solving. Every single day is different, and every day requires me to access different parts of my brain, my experiences, to come up with solutions to very unique problems. I step into the building with no idea what will happen that day, and that is exciting to me.

I also love watching them navigate “firsts”  on a regular basis. First locker, first break up, first death of a loved one, first failing grade, first passing grade, first solo in a concert, first place in a race, etc. Being able to help them navigate through these firsts is so rewarding.

What would you tell someone who is considering becoming an admin, but isn’t quite sure they want to make the switch?

I would tell them to make sure to cherish the time they have in the classroom. It’s one of those “you don’t know what you have until it’s gone” situations. Classroom teaching is difficult, but there’s just something about it that you don’t quite get to experience once you leave it. You still get to interact with students as an administrator but it’s just different. I would also encourage them to ask if they can shadow an administrator for a week. I think it’s easy for a teacher to view administration as something that it’s actually not. I was completely blindsided by the amount and scope of work that I had to deal with as an administrator, and that’s partially because I have worked for some great administrators that made the job seem easy, even though it wasn’t.

What do you love most about the students you work with?

I am inspired on a daily basis by my student’s resiliency. The fact that students get up every morning, get on the bus, come to school (something many of them don’t love), and face many unknowns and challenges every single day is inspiring. Students have very little control over what is happening in the world around them, yet they still show up. Every. Single. Day. I have seen students experience some of the most horrific things one could imagine, and yet, there they are in 1st period, learning about the pythagorean theorem. I also see this resiliency watching them navigate “firsts”  on a regular basis. First locker, first break up, first death of a loved one, first failing grade, first passing grade, first solo in a concert, first place in a race, etc. Being able to help them navigate through these firsts is so rewarding.

What great insight; thanks, Mike! From his answers, you can tell what an excellent administrator Mike is. Administrators like Mike, who lead with kindness, understanding, and love, are the kind we need in schools today. Students face so many hard things in their lives, and school should be a place they can come and feel safe and taken care of by the teachers and administration at their schools. The next time you see the administrator of your own school or of your children’s school, take a minute and thank them for their hard work!

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Fast Finishers: A Blessing and A Curse

Fast finishers. Every classroom has them, and every teacher should have something for them to do when they do finish quickly. Let’s dive into some of the whys behind fast finishers and discover some ideas teachers can use to keep these students from getting bored, causing disruptions, or wasting time. 

For some students, finishing quickly happens because the material comes easily to them, and they are able to get through the work faster than their peers. Other students finish early because they may have lost motivation to care about their work or are bored with it, so they rush through it, not moving slowly enough to check if their responses are correct. Other students may find the material to be difficult, and rather than asking for help, they answer questions quickly in hopes of not getting frustrated or embarrassed. 

Whatever the reason, teachers need to have a plan in place for these students. For the students who finish quickly because they truly do know the material, it might be a good idea to have them help a student who is struggling with the assignment. This is a great option for students who are advanced. It can give them a chance to feel important and will give them a special role in the classroom. On the flip side, for the struggling student, having a peer help them has the potential to help them understand the material better, as the advanced student may have a unique way of “teaching” that may make more sense to the struggling learner. 

Other ideas for fast finishers who understand the material include silent reading time, word searches or crosswords, drawing or coloring, or, for secondary students, maybe a little time to work on an assignment for another class. I always found it helpful to have a place in my classroom that contained extra “fun” worksheets or activities for my fast finishers to do.

For the students who are finishing early because they simply don’t care if they do the assignment correctly, have them go back through their work and check their answers. Sit next to them, if possible, to help keep them on track. 

Students who turn work in early because they truly are struggling might need a little extra coaching. If possible, sit next to this student and help them through a couple of questions. Allow them to use their notes. Pair them up with a student who does know the material and have that student help their peer. 

Any teacher knows that fast finishers are a blessing and a curse to a classroom. If some students get bored because they are done with their work, they turn to bugging classmates who are still working, causing other disruptions, or wasting their time. Rather than having to deal with disruptive behaviors, it’s best that a teacher have some activities ready and on hand for those students who need a little bit of a time filler. Being prepared with these kinds of activities will be a big help when you’re faced with a fast finisher. You won’t regret being prepared!

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Deciding to Homeschool: Marianne’s Story

Teaching full time can be a demanding job. Rewarding for sure, but definitely demanding. So what happens when the demands are too much and a teacher’s health is taking a toll? For one teacher, Marianne, it meant taking a step back and stepping out of the role of classroom teacher and into the role of homeschool teacher for her own children. I had a chance to ask Marianne a few questions about her experiences in both public and home school. Here’s what she had to say!

When you were teaching in the public school system, what grade(s) did you teach?

I taught a mild/moderate special ed class with kids from kindergarten to 6th grade on my caseload. 

What is something you miss about teaching in a public school?

Hmm …. I miss many of my students. There were a lot of really special kiddos that I got to work very closely with. It was so fun and rewarding to see them struggle and work so hard with something and then having it click. That lightbulb moment is super amazing! 

I made a lot of good friends with many of the other teachers. I miss those friendships that helped me through those years teaching in public school. I looked up to, admired and valued many of their opinions and thoughts. 

What influenced your decision to leave teaching in a public school full time?

The stress, the hours, and not feeling supported by some administrators was taking a huge toll on my health. I needed to decrease my stress so that I could be healthy. 

What influenced your decision to teach your children at home rather than send them to a public school?

My oldest was getting ready to enter kindergarten when we were in the middle of the Covid 19 pandemic. My husband and I didn’t want her first introduction to school to be under such stressful and unknown circumstances. I have a sister who had mentioned homeschooling years before and so that thought was already there. We decided that we would try it for kindergarten and see how it went. Homeschooling ended up being a great fit for my daughter and our whole family. I loved getting to have that time with her and that I got to experience those amazing lightbulb moments with her. All the stress, hard work, and sacrifice was worth it for us. Every year we evaluate if homeschooling is still the right fit for our family and so far it’s been a yes every year. 

What are some of your favorite things about homeschooling? 

I have so many favorite things! I love the researching, the planning, the time spent with my kids, the crafts, the books, the lightbulb moments. It has truly been a positive experience for us. Now that isn’t to say it’s been easy or we haven’t had whining and complaining… we have oodles of that. Some days the school bus looks kind of tempting, but really when I look at the last 5 years I wouldn’t change the decision to homeschool. 

There has been a recent increase in the number of students being home taught. What do you think are the reasons for this increase?

I think there are a lot of reasons. Some reasons may be because of the increase of school violence and shootings. Some people don’t agree on topics and curriculums being used. Those reasons feel more fear based, but they are reasons. 

Some other reasons that there could be an increase could be just that homeschool is talked about much more and is becoming much more “normal.” I think that during the pandemic a lot of people realized that there were a lot more options available for their children’s education than they ever knew about. I think there are more resources, more coops, more groups, more options available and it is letting parents customize the education that fits best for their child. 

Some people have some misconceptions about homeschool. What would you tell someone who is feeling negatively toward homeschooling? 

I think I would ask the person if they genuinely want to know more about homeschooling to change those feelings. If so, find a homeschool family and ask them about it. I don’t know a single homeschool parent who isn’t willing to talk about to people. What things are specifically bothering you about homeschooling? Get answers to those questions. If you don’t really want to change those negative feelings, just leave homeschool families alone.

Lastly, what advice would you give to someone who is considering homeschooling their children?

Do it! It’s going to feel overwhelming, but there are so many people and resources out there to help if you want to. Also write down the reasons why you are homeschooling and refer back to those in the hard days that bound to come. 

Thanks, Marianne! What a neat experience for her and her family to get to share those learning moments together. How cool is it that she gets to do what she loves with those she loves the most? A rewarding experience, for sure!

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Get Your Wiggles Out

“Shake, Shake, Shake Your Sillies Out” is more than a silly song; it’s a brilliant classroom management tool. Students of all ages get restless if sitting for too long. Think of the last time you were sitting in a training meeting, staff meeting, or conference where you were asked to just sit and listen and/or look at a powerpoint. I’d bet it’s safe to guess that you got bored fairly quickly and wanted to get up and move around for a minute… and I’d bet you weren’t the only one feeling that way!

Imagine sitting in a classroom for hours on end, listening to teachers instruct, and never getting the chance to move around. I think if this were the case, we’d have a lot of students enjoying a little nap during the school day. Our minds tend to slow down unless they are engaged in some way. A visual presentation can be engaging, but some students just need a little bit of movement every now and then to keep their brains focused. Beyond recess, students need time in the classroom to take a break from learning for a few minutes.

There are many resources on YouTube that provide excellent brain breaks. GoNoodle is a favorite with many kids. It has catchy songs and easy movements to get kids up, moving, and refocused. DannyGo is another great one! He gets kids moving and jumping, which keeps them awake and engaged. 

Another great idea is to do any kind of breathing and grounding exercise with your students. Sometimes all it takes is a few minutes of mindful breathing to get students refocused and ready to learn again. Cosmic Yoga on YouTube is a great place to go to watch engaging, movement inducing, calm exercises for the classroom or home. 

And of course there’s always the oldies but goodies from “back then”… “The Hokey Pokey”, “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes”, “If You’re Happy and You Know It”, or playing freeze dance. Even simple stretches or silly dance moves can be effective. It doesn’t need to be fancy for it to work!

Movement is a great way to keep students alert and engaged with the lesson. It gets their blood pumping and their brains active, which leads to better focus and more energy to learn. And let’s be honest; students and teachers will benefit from a little bit of a break every now and then! 

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Halloween Printable (Free!)

Sometimes teachers (or parents) just need a little extra something fun for their students to do. I’ve created a Halloween word search that you are able to print out and use for your classroom or home. Use it for quiet independent work time, as a group competition to see who can finish the fastest, for your fast finishers who need a time filler, as a class party activity, or whatever else works for your classroom. Enjoy!

  • Please do not resell this printable. It is for classroom and home use only.
Halloween Word SearchDownload