If money were no object, this is the school I would build. — Imagine that one day, I open my banking app and see that I have one billion more dollars than I did the day before. After regaining consciousness, I call the bank. It’s a legitimate deposit, I’m told. I’m skeptical. Wouldn’t you be? Another caller interrupts our conversation. When I answer…

Knowing each other well comes before academics. — I’m an experienced high school English teacher, but last year was challenging for me in many ways. This year I’ve resolved to have a better experience, both for me and my students. …

Teacher orientation starts this week, which means the school year is upon us. — New teachers started summer orientation last week. These days, I only visit the school during new teacher orientation for a social lunch and two sessions on curriculum. The idea of a mandatory “social” lunch bothers me tremendously, and I don’t hang around for office hours anymore. Veteran teachers returned for…

Revisit my classroom management skills. Plan ahead and prepare to change it all. Continue to grow into my best self. — The summer vacation is coming to an end, and now it is time to plan for the school year to come. So many issues have sabotaged my attempts to plan, including a deep depression that has hit me (and many teachers, I suspect) like a freight train. I had such…

Teacher shortages at every level demand a new response to what has always been a problem, namely the lack of available substitute teachers. — I recently interviewed for a position with UP Education in Massachusetts. One of the roles is “Cluster Substitute Teacher,” otherwise known as a building sub. I applaud them for creating such a role and making it a full-time teaching position. That makes it attractive to teachers like me, who are…