Teacher Talk

The causes of behavior problems in the classroom are usually multiple and overlapping. Learning differences, mental health, academic frustration, peer conflict, the classroom environment itself, and circumstances at home can all interact in one student. No teacher can address every factor, but clear routines and explicitly taught expectations help. I have ...

Working conditions, including workload, autonomy, administrative support, and pay, are among the factors research links to teacher turnover. About 8% of public-school teachers left teaching between the 2020-21 and 2021-22 school years, according to NCES. Early-career teachers show relatively high turnover, particularly movement between schools. The fixes schools already know: ...

These 15 relatable teacher memes come from a K-6 principal's own staff room and hallway bulletin boards in Montana, not a random internet roundup. Each one is tied to a real classroom or leadership story, from growth mindset to burnout to why kindness gets taught every day. They're built to ...

Working with paraprofessionals in special education starts with clear, written role expectations, not assumptions. Set expectations early, communicate directly rather than through gossip, and remember that the classroom's final call is yours. A veteran special education teacher shares what she learned managing a team of aides across three different roles ...

The best school custodian appreciation ideas cost almost nothing: student thank-you notes, a staff assembly, a social media shoutout, or an administrator pitching in on safe routine tasks the custodial team approves. National Custodian Day falls on October 2, but recognition only sticks when students and staff also stop making ...

What teachers can learn from football coaches comes down to habits, not slogans: assess before you plan, build a staff you can lean on, coach instead of dictate, and treat mistakes as data. A veteran principal walks through eleven parallels between Friday night football and Monday morning teaching. If you love ...

Teacher cliques are real, and being frozen out by one is not something you can fix by being nice enough. The line that matters is whether the exclusion is social or professional: if you're losing information you need to do your job, document it and take it to an administrator. My ...

The best back-to-school tips for teachers cover more than classroom setup: professional development tied to your career goals, a self-care routine you'll actually keep, and time spent learning who your students are before they walk in. Plan your first day, set a theme, and arrange your room with purpose. As you ...

What makes a successful school community isn't test scores alone. It's the hidden curriculum. Seven characteristics I associate with strong school communities: a positive culture, real business partnerships, an active PTA, steady volunteers, influence beyond your own district, creative funding, and the habit of telling your own story. What makes some ...

Why are there so many special needs children today? It's rarely one cause. Diagnostic criteria for autism and related conditions have broadened significantly, screening starts earlier, families have better access to services and insurance coverage, and public health issues like the opioid epidemic have left more children with lasting developmental ...