15 Relatable Teacher Memes That Make Me Laugh, Cry, and Try

By: Jon Konen | Dec 11, 2018

illustration of hands holding up large letters spelling "MEME" against a blue background
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 ...
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Working with Paraprofessionals in Special Education: A Teacher’s Guide

By: Mary McLaughlin | Dec 5, 2018

young girl wearing a toy crown, arms crossed, sticking out her tongue in a defiant "bossy" pose
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 ...
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School Custodian Appreciation Ideas: The Toilet Paper Caper

By: Jon Konen | Nov 6, 2018

Messy school restroom with green stall doors and toilet paper on the floor
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 ...
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11 Ways Football Is Your Classroom: Lessons from the Sideline

By: Jon Konen | Sep 25, 2018

Four high school football captains walk to the 50-yard line with a young child in a team jersey before the coin toss
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. Featured Programs: Sponsored School(s) Liberty ...
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Teacher Cliques: How One Veteran Survived a New School

By: Mary McLaughlin | Sep 13, 2018

four teachers of different ages sitting together on outdoor school steps
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. Featured ...
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8 Things to Think About As You Start the School Year

By: Jon Konen | Sep 4, 2018

elementary student giving two thumbs up in a classroom with a decorated bulletin board behind him
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. Featured Programs: Sponsored ...
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7 Characteristics of a Successful School Community

By: Jon Konen | Aug 16, 2018

Illustrated neighborhood of homes and winding roads leading to a brick school where children arrive by bus and on foot
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. Featured Programs: Sponsored School(s) Liberty ...
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The Top 3 Ways to Ward Off Energy Vampires in Schools

By: Jon Konen | Jul 31, 2018

group in Halloween vampire, witch, and skeleton costumes posing dramatically
Energy vampires in schools are the colleagues who drain a team's motivation through chronic negativity, complaining, or resistance to collaboration. The fix starts before you hire one: screen for teaming red flags in interviews and references, then address the behavior directly if it shows up anyway, using "I" statements and, ...
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Why Are There So Many Special Needs Children Today?

By: Mary McLaughlin | Jul 16, 2018

Teacher standing with her classroom of kids
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 ...
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Why Is Public Education Important? A Principal’s Case

By: Jon Konen | Jul 2, 2018

Child holding a handwritten chalkboard sign reading 1st Day of Kindergarten while standing outside on grass
Why is public education important? Public school systems have a legal obligation to provide access to eligible students regardless of protected characteristics, and to provide a free appropriate public education to eligible students with disabilities. Free K-12 schooling also aims to build informed citizens and prepare students for work, training, ...
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