The Benefit Mindset and the Power of “Get”

Most people know about the growth mindset and using the word "yet" as a way of maintaining self-confidence and hope, especially when one's growth process and path to success are long and riddled with setbacks. There's a world of difference and a wealth of optimism by changing your mindset with the word "yet": "I can't …

Outcasts and Underdogs: 8 More Young Adult Books that Teach Gratitude, Grit, and Growth Mindset (Edutopia featured article)

Superheroes and superstars already captivate kids, and many could teach a master class on these subjects. The fresh perspective teachers offer is how students themselves can and should be heroes. As advocates of a growth mindset, teach children that heroism does not require obsession with perfection or product. When educators also value process and progress, …

A Teacher’s Response to the Trump Election

After nearly a quarter century of educating three generations of public school children, the majority of my former eighth grade students are now of voting age. I therefore take the election of Donald Trump and what he represents very personally. Frankly, I had thought that I, as well as my colleagues across the country, had …

Teacher Appreciation: Moments that Touch my Heart

In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, I want to share some of the ways my husband, family, friends, and students have made me feel special and acknowledged over these past twenty-five years spent in the classroom. My Husband's Support Without fail, on the very first morning of every school year, my husband secretly tucks a …

Putting the Social in Social Media- Guest Post by Peg Grafwallner

I am a novice at social media. It’s not that I’m opposed to it—quite the contrary—social media, even for all of its perceived negatives, can open up an exciting world to our students and provide them with experiences that some of them only dream of. As educators, we are encouraged to use social media in …

How to Stop the Culture of Complaining in Schools: Guest Post by Owen M. Griffith

Wherever we look in our schools, we can find complaining: in classrooms, hallways, offices, and teachers’ lounges. Participating in such talk is easy because there is a lot “wrong” in our schools, but this kind of dialogue is destructive and often spreads quickly. Why do people complain so much in the first place? An honest …

Gratitude Can Change your Classroom and your Life: Guest Post by Owen M. Griffith

Teaching is a challenging endeavor. With all the demands on a teacher’s time and energy, it is easy to lose the enthusiasm that brought us into the classroom. In addition, teachers have recently had new requirements added to their load, including standardized testing and dealing with changing curriculums. However, there is good news. Recent research …

Seven Questions to Reignite your Teaching Passion and Purpose

Every teacher must find or rediscover their genuine excitement for educating and nurturing children. In fact, a teacher’s personal and professional sense of passion, pleasure, and purpose is just as vital for their students as it is for themselves. Everyone can readily agree that academic learning is a crucial goal of teaching, but educators, parents, and the public …

Orphans & Outsiders: 8 Young Adult Books that Teach Gratitude, Grit, and Growth Mindset (U.S. Dept. of Education featured article)

Have you ever noticed that the main characters in a great deal of young adult literature are orphans? It has to be more than a coincidence that the inspiring protagonists of some of the most beloved books from the young adult canon are either parentless or are suddenly isolated from the love and support of …