Teacher Venti

Let’s focus our “Monday Mindset” on making an impact this week! What we do as educators matters and we do make a difference! What impact are you going to make? Share in the comments below!

It's Sunday, and yes, you probably have a ton of things to do. But, it's so important to STOP and give yourself a break. If you keep going, and going, and going, it's only a matter of time before you crash. Make your well-being a priority because you won't be doing anyone any good if you crash. You can't pour from an empty cup, so fill'er up today with a little R&R!

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You did it! You made it through the week, and you survived! It may not have been perfect, and you may have had a few fails, but that's OK! No one's flawless, we all make mistakes, and all too often, we think about something negatively a whole lot more than others-be kind to yourself!

We also tend to focus on our missteps rather than our successes. What was something you did this week that made you happy? Please share in the comments below. It's Friday, and it's time to celebrate your WOO-HOO moments, no matter how small!

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Inevitably, we will become discouraged, frustrated, angry, aggravated, overwhelmed, stressed- the list could go on and on. Often, we find ourselves in situations that cause us to feel a certain way which can send us spiraling into a series of self-defeating thoughts and behaviors- Why should I bother? I’m never going to survive this. Why would s/he say that? Etc. The bottom line is that the only person we can change is ourselves, including how we respond to things.

Avoid the defeatest, end-of-the-world thinking and remember this- it was one day, and there will be a new day tomorrow. This time next year, you most likely won’t be able to recall the reason you are currently upset. And, if this is bigger than you and you’re not sure how to tackle it, reach out for help. There are people out there that don’t want you to fail, don’t want you to struggle, and don’t want you to suffer alone. You just need to have the courage to ask! No question is too silly, and no problem is insignificant if it’s something causing you distress.

Sometimes it’s easier to ask someone, not in your work and personal circle. A person that doesn’t know the key players in your life can often provide a more clear, objective perspective. If you’re not sure who to talk to, you can talk to me! I’m just a message away! I’ve made it my mission to support teachers because rarely are we getting the help we need. I’ve been there, I get it, and I’ve got your back!

Take a few minutes to remember how you felt when you walked into the kitchen or dining room the morning after dinner or a party when you hadn't clean up before you went to bed. You're groggy, trying to wake up, and the reality of the massive mess you avoided last night smacks you in the face. Now imagine trying to clean it all up while 30 middle or high school students walk in the room ready for you to teach them. You frantically shove things in places as you haphazardly throw together something that resembles a lesson. Your entire day spirals out of control, and when the last bell rings, you wonder how you got sucked into the tornado straight out of the Wizard of Oz without anyone sounding the siren that a category 5 catastrophe was barreling your way. Well, you don't need the Wicked Witch's crystal ball to figure out who's responsible for the pandemonium-the answer is you!

Now take a moment to remember the opposite-a time when you sucked it up and cleaned up BEFORE you went to bed. This time, as you walk into the room yawning, you see everything cleaned and put in the correct spots. Gasp! You even prepared the coffee, set the timer, and at that moment, the heavenly coffee aroma has now wafted into your nose, as you feel soothed by the gurgle-drip melody singing in the air- ahhhhhhhhh.

Which do you prefer-scraping funky taco casserole leftovers shellacked to a pan panicked as hordes of teenagers swarm into the room OR waving your hand saying hello (cue Disney music and cute cartoon animals climbing in the windows), eager to start your day?

Inevitably, time flies. It might be easier for us to say, "I'll do it tomorrow," but if we do that, tomorrow becomes a disaster. Even when you are exhausted and want to walk out of the building to decompress, taking the time BEFORE you leave for the day will set you up for success tomorrow.

When we fail to plan, we plan to fail. Leave your classroom set-up for tomorrow, so tomorrow you can experience the magic of teaching in a Disney "movie!"

You’ve got this, teachers! Students arrive for some of you today; for others, you’ve already been teaching your kids but today begins the September stretch. Regardless, spread your magic today! Everyone’s nervous adjusting to changes in schedules and expectations. Take it one day at a time, and remember- your students are looking to you to help them make this shift back to in-person learning successfully. Thank you for your commitment to education!

Have you unplugged yet today? If not, do it NOW! It’s Labor Day, it’s beautiful outside, and you need to give yourself some time to unwind because, believe me, this week is going to be crazy. Take a break, relax, and recharge!

When we believe in our students, they believe in themselves. Pushing and encouraging them to reach their potential is so important because, unfortunately, many do not have much support in their lives. If we can be a consistent source of optimism, our students will feel welcomed and valued, wanting to show us they can succeed. If you believe, they will achieve!

Consistency shows you follow through with what you say and do. When we are consistent, we gain trust. When we acquire our students' confidence, they become more willing to do what we ask. They start to believe in us because we've demonstrated we believe in them with our consistent interactions and communications. Consistency creates continuity, comfort, and contentment.

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Expect the best; you’ll get the best. When you have high expectations and show you believe in your students, they will rise to the occasion, and you will see results. Make the decision TODAY to expect the best and work EVERY DAY to show your students what that is and how they can achieve it.

If you are excited, your students will be excited. If you don't care, neither will your students. Enthusiasm is contagious. Yes, there are times when we don't feel passionate about our content, but if students sense we don't enjoy our job or the lessons we're teaching, they will be disengaged and may become uncooperative. Sometimes we have to fake it till we make it, especially when trying to create student buy-in. You've got this!

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So many people can talk the talk, but not many can walk the walk. Why? We're humans, and we're not perfect! We make goals, yet too often, we have a hard time keeping ourselves accountable. Unfortunately, as teachers, we don't have much leeway when ensuring we follow through with what we communicate. Why? Because every one of our students is counting on us to stick to what we say, and the conundrum is (as I said earlier), we're humans, and we're not perfect. That being said, we need to remind ourselves EVERY DAY to do the best we can to be consistent in the way we run our classroom, interact with our students, and follow-through. Yes, this expectation of faultlessness is another example of the many, many weights teachers carry on their shoulders, and it's daunting. But, don't forget this -your students need you, you do make a difference, and you've got this!

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We go on social media to connect, learn, and grow. We become inspired to cook that delicious recipe, try that new yoga move, Marie Kondo our closet. But, unfortunately, a few minutes after we put down our phones, we forget what sparked our curiosity to grow as quickly as we came across it.

Make a goal today, and every day moving forward, to take one idea/concept/vision and commit to DO SOMETHING with that information to make you better than you were before you spent hours scrolling past post after post after post. Don’t just think about things, DO something. Your time is valuable- don’t waste it!

Take time to get to know your students and, most importantly- their names AND how to pronounce them correctly. Our names represent our identity, and our students need to know that their presence and identity in our classroom matter. To do this, make sure you take the time to ask each student how they prefer to be addressed and how to say their name. Some will say, "It doesn't matter, for example, if you ask a student if she goes by Sam, Samantha, Sammie, and she says, "It doesn't matter." Don't believe them because IT DOES! Saying it matters and showing you care will make tremendous strides in building a positive rapport with your students.

Most often misunderstandings occur with miscommunication. Make sure you communicate your expectations and directions clearly and consistently to your students from day one and REPEAT them EVERY DAY for the first few WEEKS of school to ensure EVERYONE is on the same page.

People learn using their senses, and most often, it’s through hearing, seeing, or moving information to process it. No one uses just one learning approach, but they tend to have a dominant style. Because of this, it is essential to incorporate strategies from ALL learning styles to maximize student comprehension and retention, which also includes when you are explaining expectations and directions.

Make sure you SAY, SHOW, and provide MODELS/SAMPLES to pass around. Then, and this is essential, REPEAT this process MULTIPLE TIMES, preferably over the course of a few days.

When you have high expectations and show you believe in your students, they will rise to the occasion, and you will see results. Make the decision TODAY to expect the best and work EVERY DAY to show your students what that is and how they can achieve it.

What are your students going to need to succeed in your class? Do they write a lot of notes? If so, will they use loose-leaf paper in a three-ring binder or a spiral notebook? Does it matter if they use pens or pencils? How many should they always have with them? Do they need graph paper to do math equations? A graphing calculator? Highlighters when reading text? Earbuds to listen to video clips on Chromebooks?

Create a list of materials to pass out to students. On the first day, go over the list and explain what they will be doing with the supplies. Show students examples of the items so they can see exactly what you want them to have. Finally, make sure you give students enough time to get the materials. The start of a new school year is stressful for everyone. Asking students to have all their supplies by Monday or Tuesday after the first week of school gives parents a chance to get everything over the weekend. If students don't have supplies by the day you request, make sure you look into why by talking with guidance counselors or administrators. Can they afford them? Do they need help getting them? You want to make sure everyone has what they need to excel in your classroom. You want them to start on the right foot, and you don't need misunderstandings about materials (thinking they don't have what you require because they don't care when it's really because they don't have the means to get them) to create unnecessary conflict.

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When you register for a conference, you see an itinerary. When you go to see a performance, they hand you a program. When students arrive at school on the first day, they receive a schedule listing their classes.

When people go somewhere new, they feel more at ease when they know what to expect, and that is why you need to communicate your expectations clearly and consistently to your students immediately. You want to determine routines students follow from the moment they enter your classroom to the second the bell rings to signal the end of class. Take time to think through the tasks students will do daily at the beginning, middle, and end of class. Then, EVERY DAY for the first few WEEKS of school, make sure you explain and model what you expect to ensure EVERYONE is on the same page.

With so many of us traveling to find summer relaxation, I want to compare preparing your classroom for a successful school year to getting to your vacation destination. To ensure a smooth ride, you need to think of it like planning for a road trip. Is your car prepared for the journey (have you changed the oil, checked the tires, topped off the fluids)? Have you packed everything you will need? Do you have all the directions? Do you know where to stop for food and gas? Is your EZPass account active, and is it in your car?

We do many things when we prepare for a trip without really thinking about them because they seem like no-brainers, for example, filling up the tank with gas. But the no-brainers for classroom management and routines aren't as apparent for new teachers! So, if you're unsure where to begin, start with the following areas- materials, attendance, procedures, and behavior. Brainstorm ideas of things you will do to tackle these four topics and go from there.

Need some more help and guidance? Click the link in my bio to download my FREE Classroom Management Workbook to break it all down into easy-to-follow, manageable steps!

So, what's your plan for managing in-person instruction this school year? How are you going to create, communicate, and enforce your expectations CONSISTENTLY? Start envisioning how you anticipate running your classroom- from the MOMENT students enter to the SECOND the bell rings to signal the end of class because the devil is in the details! When we fail to focus on the small, often tedious details, significant, problematic issues arise. Strategically plan for the MULTITUDE of tasks and scenarios you will be addressing daily, ESPECIALLY the ones that seem insignificant, such as students throwing away something in the trash can, sharpening their pencil, getting a tissue, etc. Keep that devil out of your classroom this year!

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FREE CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT WORKBOOK!https://lifeanded.ck.page/30994a484c

Create an Elite Classroom Management Plan in 3 Easy Steps My EASY-TO-FOLLOW blueprint uses strategically chosen categories and sub-categories that enable you to create the BEST classroom management plan for YOUR specific learning environment.

What's your plan for managing in-person instruction this school year? How are you going to create, communicate, and enforce your expectations CONSISTENTLY?

Start envisioning how you anticipate running your classroom- from the MOMENT students enter to the SECOND the bell rings to signal the end of class because the devil is in the details! When we fail to focus on the small, often tedious details, significant, problematic issues arise. Strategically plan for the MULTITUDE of tasks and scenarios you will be addressing daily, ESPECIALLY the ones that seem insignificant, such as students throwing away something in the trash can, sharpening their pencil, getting a tissue, etc. Keep that devil out of your classroom this year!

Oh, and guess what? My FREE workbook- Classroom Management Success: Getting to the ROOT of the Matter has launched! This FREE fillable PDF is an instant download that offers step-by-step guidance for you to accomplish today's teacher tip. Click the link in my bio to receive it via email!