Search results for: lesson design
181: The Reward of Developing People
Being a teacher is more than just teaching content lessons. It is the life-giving work of an educator to develop the people in front of them every day. One way to do that is to provide appropriate challenge and support so that overtime students begin to rely on themselves to overcome hardships. Tune in to…
Listen to EpisodeFire Your Mentor, Hire Your Idol
One of my biggest struggles in my early years of teaching was the lack of help and direction from experts in the field (veteran teachers, administrators, etc.). I attended all necessary training for new teachers, followed all protocol, and even asked questions whenever I could to whomever would listen. But, I still had major growing…
Read Full PostThe Inside Scoop on “Looping” with your Students
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…
Read Full PostOnline Modules
As an educator, I have been providing professional development to teachers for over a decade. I finally found a way to empower even more teachers without the obstacle of travel. The online modules below are hosted on Teachable, an online course platform. Click the images below to gain access to these instructional sessions. Getting the…
Read MoreAbout Gretchen
Hi, I’m Gretchen! Author, Speaker, Teacher Coach & Trainer Over the last two decades, Gretchen has passionately taught elementary students, mentored and coached educators, led professional development experiences for school building staff, written three books, and…
Read More5 Ways to Overcome Coverage Challenges During Learning Walks
Learning walks are a powerful tool for peer mentorship and coaching. It allows colleagues to observe each other in real time, taking note of the positive impact of instructional decisions. Watch live teaching with the same demographic of students under the same leadership style of an administrative team, teachers are able to easily envision what…
Read Full PostLive Coaching: Tips, Strategies & Advice
Live coaching is the act of providing in-the-moment cues to a teacher while they teach a lesson to students. These cues are discussed prior to using them so the teacher knows what it means and is able to adjust instructional decisions on the fly when the cue is provided. The goal of live coaching is…
Read Full Post5 Myths of Student Engagement
Student engagement is the art of keep students’ attention while simultaneously involving them in the process of their own learning. Teachers find student engagement to be an inviting challenge year after year as student interests and pop culture change. To be successful in engaging students during a lesson, a teacher has to know their content,…
Read Full Post348: Opening Worlds Through Words with Pam Allyn
In this inspiring episode, we dive into the heart of literacy and its life-changing impact with renowned literacy advocate, educator, and CEO Pam Allyn. Pam shares powerful insights into why reading is not just a fundamental skill, but a gateway to equity, empowerment, and lifelong success. Quotables ** All quotes are from the interviewee **…
Listen to EpisodeSummer Learning Playlist for Educators
Summer is the perfect time for teachers to relax and recharge. It’s also a great chance to explore fresh ideas—without the stress. The Summer Learning Playlist is a handpicked mix of short podcasts, quick videos, and easy-to-read articles. Each one offers new ideas for teaching and professional growth. You don’t need to take notes or…
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