So I’ve created a set of guidelines to follow. — Now that I’m a grandparent, I’ve become hyper aware of making sure our house doesn’t look like old people live here. I realize this represents a rather senseless vanity on my part, but still. I’m aging, but does that mean I have to lose all sense of personal style? I’ve…

Does my age dictate what I can wear? — When I received the schedule for the first three days of teacher training at the start of this school year, the note on the bottom read: “Dress casual all three days.” Casual. Okay. Where I live, it’s hot in the summer, and I live in shorts and t-shirts. As a…

It’s taken me a lifetime to understand that — Growing up, my brothers and I knew our parents’ love story by heart. Met in middle school, became high school sweethearts, and married after my dad returned from basic training in the National Guard. The fact that this straightforward story was drilled into our heads from conception probably caused all…

Some students will test every ounce of your patience — One of the biggest challenges a classroom teacher can face is a rowdy class. Handling disruptive classroom behavior can sap a teacher’s enthusiasm and love of the job. However, most experienced teachers have developed a toolkit of classroom management techniques that they can use to keep a lid on student…

I guess I’ll just embrace it — A thought hit me the other day as I smiled and waved at the cute toddler sitting in the shopping cart, waiting for his dad to check out at the grocery store. It’s happened. I’ve become that kind of old person. You know the kind? The kind that smiles and…

Start the second semester of the school year strong and enjoy the payoff. — Most of us are returning to the classroom this week after an extended holiday break. As I prepare for students to come back in a few days, I’m trying to keep in mind a couple of steps that I believe will make my semester go more smoothly. 1. Don’t assume all students have had a relaxing or joyful break. As educators, we…

“Fun” is my word of the year for 2023. — I’ve always taken pride in being a goal-oriented person. I can set and achieve goals like nobody’s business. Checking things off to-do lists is my specialty. But spending all my time focused on goals — for my career, my relationships, my home, my health — has left me feeling a…

Resting doesn’t come easy to me. — Like many people, I choose a “word of the year” each New Year to provide focus for my personal growth. I started this practice in 2015, and since then, I’ve covered most of the traditional topics. For 2022, I chose the word, “rest.” …

We already have enough lists about books, movies, and songs. — This time of year, “best of” lists appear on every news and social media site. Sure, I’d love to read all the books, watch all the movies, listen to all the new music, and do all the things, but in reality, who has that kind of time? So to celebrate…