school success Archives - Page 5 of 27 - Inspired Together Teachers

Tips for Successful Parent-Teacher Conferences

October 14, 2021 by Inspired Together Teachers Leave a Comment

It’s time for parent-teacher conferences. Are you ready?

Good conferences help both teachers and parents gain insight into a student’s academic and social progress, strengths and challenges. Think of it as an opportunity to grow in knowledge about the multifaceted dimensions of your students.

Here are some good reminders as you prepare for conferences:

1.Take conference preparation seriously. Plan what you want to say about each student. Highlight both strengths and opportunities for growth. Being prepared will go a long way towards assuring parents that you are professional and competent. Our free template below will help you to think about the kind of information you should be gathering.

2. Greet parents, and if you haven’t met previously, introduce yourself.

3. Start conferences with a positive comment about the student. It reassures parents that you know their child well.

4. Listen to parents’ comments and concerns. Conferences should be a two-way street, not a one-way presentation from the teacher.

5. Be ready to share data such as test scores, examples of daily work or portfolios. Explain how grades are derived and if applicable, remind parents how to use the grade portal.

6. When discussing a student’s behavior, try to be objective and specific. Consider the following:

What, specifically, does the behavior look like in your classroom?

How often does the behavior occur?

How does this behavior impact the learning of the student?

What interventions have you tried and how has the student reacted?

Are their additional resources could help the student to be more successful?

7. Never make conferences the first time you bring up serious concerns about a student. Imagine how you would feel if you thought things were going well with your son or daughter and show up at school only to find they are failing or presenting severe behavior challenges. If you have major concerns about a student, make parent contact before conferences.

8. Given parents specific examples of ways they can help their child at home. Encourage parents to ask their child about homework or projects.

9. Try to keep to the time schedule, however limited it may be. If you need more time, schedule another meeting.

10. Though it is not common, sometimes a conference becomes non-productive due to overly aggressive or abusive parents. If this happens, stop the conference. Explain that since the conference is not productive it will be rescheduled at a later date with an administrator, additional teacher or a guidance counselor present. Ask the parents to leave and promise to follow up to schedule another meeting.

Parent-teacher conferences are an opportunity to work together with parents to enhance student learning. You share the common goal of student success. Working together will allow you to be open to ways you can best bring about student growth.

We wish you well as you embark on your conferences,

Paula and Michele

How to Finish Strong When You’re Running on Fumes

May 23, 2021 by Inspired Together Teachers Leave a Comment

If you are feeling like it has been a very long year, you are not alone. You’ve worked hard and are feeling drained. We’ve heard all of the expressions from teachers lately- hanging on by a thread, trying to keep my head above water, holding on to the side of a cliff….

The good news is the end of the school year is in sight!

We know that the students still matter to you and that you want to finish strong. How can you finish the school year strong when you’re running on fumes?

Here are a few suggestions:

Give yourself a little end of the school year treat. Pick up a specialty coffee on your way to work. Indulge in the first ice cream cone of the season. Buy a book you’ve been dying to read.

While you’re at it, give yourself something to look forward to when the school year is over. Make a lunch date with a friend. Plan a massage or a manicure. Make a list of things you will look forward to doing this summer.

Immerse yourself in water. Water can be very restorative and has the ability to diminish stress so take a long shower, or relax with a bath. If you have access to a pool, dive in.

Drop in and thank a coworker for something special they did this year. It will make you both feel good!

Have your students write letters to next year’s students. Telling others what they have learned this year will reinforce their knowledge. Sharing the fun activities or favorite lessons will also help students connect school with pleasure- and let’s face it, wouldn’t we love students who liked school more?

Younger students like to write and illustrate small books about what they have learned this year. Their books can be a special keepsake for parents.

While students are writing, write a personal letter to each student. Thank them for positive things they have done, their cooperation in the classroom, or for something that they have shared. Students will treasure these personal notes of appreciation and writing them will remind you of all the good things that have come out of this school year.

Another idea is to allow students to help you clean and organize your room. The students have been disinfecting all year, they already know the importance of a clean space. They are also the ones that have used your room. Cleaning and organizing together will instill a sense of responsibility. Students tend to not mind the task- they see it as “getting out of work!”

Do some fun activities. Revisit students’s favorite activities of the year. Head outside to do sidewalk chalk math or silent reading under a tree.

Get some more ideas here:

Take Your Teaching and Learning Outside.

5 Things Teachers Should Do Before the School Year Ends

Actively Engage Students as the School Year Ends

How to Stay Motivated for the Last Days of School

Celebrate Your Teaching Wins

Check out this resource from TpT:

End of the Year Classroom Library Activity

We hope that you enjoy the end of the school year and finish strong!

Our best,

Build Relationships by Knowing Students Well

February 14, 2021 by Inspired Together Teachers Leave a Comment

We recently asked teachers in our Teacher Warriors Facebook group to give us their best advice about teaching. In one way or another, almost every teacher talked about the importance of building relationships with students.

We were not surprised. Building relationships with students is the key to building a successful environment for learning.

Many teachers and students have either recently returned to their physical classrooms, have returned to a full classroom instead of a hybrid model, or will soon be returning to a physical classroom. Although teachers have been teaching virtually or with a limited number of students in the classroom, the classroom dynamic is about to change. In many ways, it is like starting the school year over again.

Since our classrooms are changing yet again, we thought it was a good time to talk about building relationships. In order to build relationships, it is helpful to know students well. You will not know everything about every student, but understanding some of the different facets of student’s lives and personalities will go along way towards building good relationships with them.

How can you get to know students well? Here are some ideas:

Ask Students about their interests.

What does a student like to do? What are their hobbies? Given free reign, how would they choose to spend their time? Knowing a student’s interests helps us to connect to them.

Look for students’ skills and talents.

We all have skills and talents. Perhaps a student is good at drawing or soccer. Perhaps they are especially empathetic, kind or thoughtful. Maybe they express themselves well or show leadership. Understanding a student’s skills and talents means we can offer opportunities to build on those skills and help develop them. Helping a student to uncover and grow their innate talents is one of the most powerful things a teacher can do.

Observe students for signs of introversion or extroversion.

Does the student gain energy from being in a group or seem to need to spend quiet time alone? Do they make quick and decisive decisions or prefer time to think and process? Are they easily bored and restless or able to entertain themselves for hours? Once you understand a students natural preferences, it is easier to help the student find the situations that give him or her the time and space they need to function well.

Ask for and watch for learning preferences.

How does the student learn best? We all have different combinations of learning preferences, but often, particular preferences rise to the top. Does the student prefer to learn by touching and doing things? Are they particularly engaged when watching something or reading? Are they acute listeners, learning through songs or discussions? Do they learn best alone or in a group? Knowing how a student learns helps us to put learning in a context that is most helpful.

Help students to grow in emotional intelligence.

Emotional intelligence refers to a person’s ability to understand and control their own emotions. More than intellect or academic training, emotional intelligence has been connected to career and life success. How does the student control frustration, anxiety or anger? Does the student show self-confidence, adaptability or innovation? Are they generally optimistic? Do they feel empathy and have appropriate communication skills? These are all skills that can be taught, and doing so often improves personal success, both in the classroom and in life.

Understand how a student is motivated.

Motivation is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. Some people are motivated by others. Some people are motivated by following rules and procedures. Competition is motivating to some, while others dislike competition. Some people are motivated by prizes or rewards, others are motivated by autonomy, creating and following their personal rules. Some people are motivated by authority, others rebel and become less motivated. Understanding how a child is motivated helps us to understand how to best work with a child.

It pays to look at our students through various lenses, to understand who they really are, and to use that insight to forge successful relationships. Our best chance at helping our students to learn starts with building positive relationships with them.

How do you go about understanding a knowing a child well? We would love to hear your insight.

Our best,

3 Things You Can Do to Take Back Your Life

December 6, 2020 by Inspired Together Teachers Leave a Comment

Has school taken over your entire life? If you are struggling with overwork and exhaustion and are feeling like you are never good enough and will never get it all done, this is for you. It might be time to take back your life.

You work hard because you care. It’s what makes you a good teacher. You love your students and do everything possible to help them succeed.

Teachers often go above and beyond what is expected. Many teachers are spending an unsustainable amount of time attempting to be all things to all students and in the case of virtual schooling, to all parents. They are teachers, counselors, and social workers, trying to reach all students and support all families.

And let’s face it, it never seems like enough. When was the last time you ended a school day with no lesson plans to create and no papers to grade?

You’ve probably tried to stop working in the evenings and to leave schoolwork behind on the weekends. If you have somehow managed to do that, you’ve probably felt guilty.

If you want to stay mentally and physically strong so you can be your best for the students, the guilt trip has got to go.

Here are three things you can do to take back your life:

Set boundaries.

You can refuse to be on call for students and parents 24/7. Yes, you want to be responsive and helpful, but it can’t come at a cost of total lack of a personal life.

Create a personal policy for returning parent phone calls and email. Set a pleasant automatic response that says when you will return messages. If parents or students are constantly texting you, reconsider giving out your phone number.

Don’t be afraid to set boundaries for what you can and can not do. It is NOT part of your job to call a student every morning and wake him up for school. It is NOT part of your job to be awakened by a parent’s text at midnight- or to respond to it.

If your school does not have a school policy that guides parental expectations for contacting teachers, ask for one. Good administrators respect and support a teacher’s right to have a personal life that is work free.

Check your level of perfectionism.

Perfectionists, you probably know who you are. You have high standards and want to do everything perfectly.

The problem is that for teachers, perfection is not possible. Differentiation is great, but you can’t always be all things to all people. There will always be a better lesson plan or a more perfect activity, but the search is often elusive and exhausting. A teacher’s work is never done, and the to-do list always exists. That can be unsettling for a perfectionist who likes to have everything done and crossed off the list.

If you are exhausted, resentful and angry about how much you are working, look at your own expectations. Some things deserve 100% of your attention and skill. Other things might be just fine with B+ effort, or maybe even C+ effort. Sometimes good enough is good enough. Give your best to the things that are really worth it.

We know a teacher who stayed up all night making handmade gingerbread cookies for her students. She spent hours and hours decorating each one to perfection. The kids devoured them in a minute. The teacher next door bought some cookies and juice and served them tea party style while students shared poems they had written. It was an event they will likely always remember.

Spend your time on things that matter, and remember that sometimes, done is better than perfect. And accept the fact that there are always things on the to-do list, but they don’t all have to be done today.

Stop comparing yourself to other teachers.

You all know the teacher with the incredible skill for technology, everything is in a spreadsheet and totally organized. Or maybe you know a teacher with an endless supply of engaging games to teach every content area. You know teachers whose classroom décor belongs in a magazine or whose bitmoji classroom design is both funny and inspiring.

Are you trying to keep up with Mrs. Jones? Are you exhausted yet?

We each have our own gifts. There is something that you do that is unique and different from other teachers. Perhaps you give students amazing feedback. Perhaps you have a gift for making all students feel special. You might be the one whose jokes keeps kids engaged or the one whose passion for your subject inspires them.

Don’t try to copy other teachers. You can learn from them and borrow their teaching ideas or tools but recognize that you can teach in your own way.

What comes naturally to you? What methods or techniques do you love? Sometimes the things we are best at come most easily to us. Working with your unique strengths will always be less tiring that trying to be someone you are not.

We want you to be here for the long haul. We need good, passionate, committed teachers. The danger of burn-out is real, as is the danger of losing good teachers to a less demanding profession. In order to continue to love your job, you need to find ways to rest, relax, and recharge. If things are feeling out of control, do what you can to take back your life.

Our best,

How to Maintain a Growth Mindset

November 22, 2020 by Inspired Together Teachers Leave a Comment

Have you adopted a growth mindset philosophy for your classroom? Teachers want to encourage students and help them grow. We want to help students understand that there are things we don’t know yet. We want to promote the importance of trying new and difficult things. We want students to understand that their talents aren’t fixed and that there is opportunity for learn and get better.

Under any circumstances, teaching can be challenging. A teacher’s role has always included modeling and demonstrating effective learning. We guide students by example, and that includes our own mindset.

How can we model growth mindset in the midst of a pandemic? Between frequently changing daily routines, working with quarantined students, and trying to engage students in Zoom calls, it is all we can do to get through the day. Teachers are exhausted.

And yet, teachers are showing up day after day.

According to Mindset author Carol Dweck, “the view you adopt for yourself profoundly affects the way you lead your life.”

What kind of mindset are you bringing into the classroom? Are you modeling a growth mindset?

Here are some ways you can maintain a growth mindset:

Recognize that you do have control.

It is true that there are many things going on in the world that you can’t control. You can’t control the pandemic, or the election. But you can control some things. Focus on the things you can control and work to make those things as good as you can.

For example, you can’t control whether or not a student shows up for school. You can make the classroom experience a positive one so that students will want to come. You can’t control whether or not a student will do classwork, but you can try to make those assignments meaningful, interesting and relevant so the student will be more likely to do them.

Focus on how far you have come and how far you will go.

We often teach students to say, “I can’t do it yet.” Do you allow yourself the same grace? Chances are there are many things that you are doing now that you weren’t doing when schools shut down at the beginning of the pandemic. You’ve learned and adapted. You’ve leveled up your technology game. You’ve prepared for on-line learning. You’ve rewritten lesson plans.

Be proud of what you have already achieved and be excited for how much you will continue to improve in the future.

Continue to model resilience and perseverance.

Resilience and perseverance are two hallmarks of a growth mindset. If you are still teaching, you have been resilient and you have persevered. We often tell students that they can do hard things. Remind yourself that you are doing hard things. You are also modeling for students how to do hard things.

Keep high standards and a nurturing atmosphere.

It’s tough out there. During a pandemic, it seems plausible to lower our standards. If we lower our standards, more students will achieve them. On the opposite end of the spectrum, if we set standards too high, without giving students the means of reaching them, students will fail.

Dweck offers a proven solution. Keep standards high, but teach students in a loving, caring manner. Growth mindset teachers are warm and accepting. They believe their students can and will learn. Teachers with a fixed mindset judge students and determine who is capable of learning. They are quick to give up on students who don’t demonstrate mastery.

Growth mindset in teaching also means that teachers must guide students. They can’t just assign work and then grade it. They need to explain and demonstrate. They not only explain how to do things, they also explain why the learning is useful or important.

Teachers with a growth mindset teach students how to reach the high standards. Rather than judging students for what they don’t know, they offer students a path to learning. According to Dweck, when teachers are judging them, students will sabotage teachers and themselves by not trying. When students understand that school is for them and will help them to grow their minds they don’t sabotage, they start caring.

Recognizing your own mindset and choosing to have a growth mindset will help you get through the toughest days of teaching. It can also help you to continue to grow and thrive., not only in school, but in your life.

*Dweck, C. (2006.) Mindset: The new psychology of success. New York: Ballantine.

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Here are some good reminders as you prepare for conferences:

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Here are three things you can do to take back your life:

Set boundaries.

Check your level of perfectionism.

Stop comparing yourself to other teachers.

Share this:

Here are some ways you can maintain a growth mindset:

Recognize that you do have control.

Focus on how far you have come and how far you will go.

Continue to model resilience and perseverance.

Keep high standards and a nurturing atmosphere.

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