Easy steps for a high school teacher going on maternity leave

The time before Spring Break, during the second semester, can be the hardest part of the year for teachers. Students aren’t following classroom expectations or guidelines. The horrible head of testing is showing its face. Many teachers are debating staying in teaching or staying at their school. This blog is dedicated to helping teachers make choices to survive that time.

This blog is intended to describe my Fall 202 teaching during a pandemic. I will not sugarcoat my experience because it is my truth. I hope to answer questions my teacher friends and non-teacher friends have about my experience.

Teachers don't expect gifts, but if you are planning on buying one spend the time to give an excellent one.

2020 was the worst first week of school I have ever experienced, and on Friday night I was contemplating leaving in December.

COVID-19 is making this school year prep unique, but I have accepted the classroom won’t be the same in the 2020-2021 school year, and I am planning on being flexible and hope this blog helps other teachers in their own planning process.

Every summer I plan classroom decorations, organization, and curriculum changes. I use my TUL notebook as my starter for next year's disc planner.

I decided to post this because I wanted to tell other teachers it is acceptable to be upset. We all had to overcome obstacles to finish out the school year in a way that could never be predicted.

In 2017, my husband bought me a Franklin planner, and I don’t see myself going back.

As a social studies teacher, it may seem unusual to have a classroom library. However, I am a firm believer promoting reading is every teacher’s job.

Are you a 4th grade or 7th grade Texas history teacher? These books are a must-have in your classroom library or personal reading. You can buy them at the Institute of Texan Culture and Texas A&M University Press.

One of the best forums I have found to connect with other teachers is Instagram. New teachers sometimes reach out to me through DMs. One asked me about the idea of anticipatory sets because she thought they were a warm-up (some people call them Do Nows). I realized one of the most important tools in a social studies teacher’s toolbox wasn’t being used.