Category Archives: Best Practices
Teaching the way it’s supposed to be…
Bite-Sized PD from teacher Mike Johnston…
Teacher Thom Gibson: Here’s a strategy for a class that goes off the rails
A new school year is nearly upon us, and many teachers, both new and returning, are considering ways they can get off on the right foot with their students. We all realize there will be a honeymoon period at the beginning of the year. But how long will it last? We all want to know how we can prevent a class from going out of control, or bring them back into line if they go off the rails. Here is an eight-minute video created by fellow educator Thom Gibson that offers a strategy. He was working with middle schoolers, but the technique might be useful with younger or older students. I’m so impressed, I’m going to call Thom a “guru” of classroom management. Check it out.
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Teachers, it’s Election Day! Be sure to vote!
Today is Election Day! Elections are the one thing that separates a democracy from a dictatorship. Elections give people the right to control who their leaders, remove them from office without the need for a revolution, and make decisions that affect society as a whole. Voting on election day is a great way to show our appreciation for these rights. Teachers know that elections are important for democracy. Without the election process, our democracy could not function.
As citizens, we should continuously strive to make our society better. We face many issues, and the only way we are able to fix them is to work for positive change. Voting is the best way to work for the changes we want to see occur. So, casting your ballot today will help to ensure a better future.
Voting is a privilege, but more than that, voting is a responsibility and a duty. To ensure the protection of our rights, we need to stay informed on the candidates and the issues, and then vote!
Every vote matters. Encourage others to vote too. Start with your friends, family members, co-workers, or colleagues, explaining to them the importance of voting and why every vote matters. If your students are of voting age, you can encourage them to cast their ballots. Teach them how to register, but, of course, we all know that we must be careful not to influence them in their choices of candidates or issues. No matter what age your students are, show them a good example. Let them know that you consider voting a civic responsibility, and that you will be voting today!
Finally, remember that living in a democracy does mean we always get our WAY, it means we always get our SAY. If the outcome of the elections is disappointing to you, accept the results for now, and know that you will have another opportunity to make the changes you would like to see in the next election.
Happy voting!
