Classroom management is a fundamental characteristic of a well-run classroom because of its ability to exponentially make room for learning. It creates structure based on efficient, respectful systems and procedures that cut down on ‘time suckers’ like misbehaviors, misunderstandings and overall distractions. To successfully manage a classroom of students requires two essential teacher behaviors: 1)…

Many new teachers are entering the educational profession this year and it is such an exciting time for these folks. They most likely have dreamed of their future classroom and teacher persona for quite some time, but now it becomes a reality. Recently, a new teacher had a  question  about “Must Have” classroom supplies that…

Administrators are always trying to find innovative ways to increase teacher efficacy and student achievement in the classroom [see my last post on the departmentalizing model of instruction.] Looping tends to be another popular strategy to also address those two important levers. What is ‘Looping?’ There comes a time in a teacher’s career where they…

Hot Tip Tuesday Each week I bring to you helpful tips to become a more effective educator on the Always A Lesson fan page on Facebook. (Give it a quick like by clicking here!) I decided to start grouping my social media posts into a blog post in case you didn’t catch it in your feed. (Want…

It is no secret that educators want to make a positive change in and around their schools on a daily basis. That driving force puts student achievement and teacher efficacy front of mind as administrator’s plan and design academic structures for the upcoming school year. One method that seems to be gaining popularity in recent…

The Always A Lesson’s Empowering Educators Podcast has been around since June 14, 2015. It is currently in the Top 200 Education Podcasts in the K-12 category on iTunes, with over 100,000 downloads to listeners in 46 countries worldwide. If you need a weekly ‘pick-me-up’ to remind yourself of the amazing work you are doing…

The end of the school year is approaching and teachers still have so much to do. Once students have completed their end of year assessments and classes have celebrated with special parties, it’s time to say goodbye to a productive year of precious memories and head into summer. On the last day of school, students…

If you are looking for a safe place to learn the ins-and-outs of teaching, join our Elementary New Teacher group on Facebook. I recently put out a post in this group asking the question, “What is one lesson you learned this year that will make you better next year?” Teachers in years 1-3 responded with…

Teachers and students alike struggle to keep their motivation high during the end of the school year season. It only takes a few people to alter the energy in a classroom and that can help or hinder the mindset of all learners. Many teachers send out an S.O.S. in the spring to their colleagues, asking…