A New Teacher’s Guide to Socratic Circles and Student-Led Discussions Have you ever finished teaching a lesson and wondered, Did my students really understand it, or were they just repeating what I said? That’s one reason I loved using…
Archives for June 2026
New Teacher Back-to-School Checklist: Everything to Do Before Students Arrive
Everything to Do Before Students Arrive A practical first-year teacher checklist to help you start the school year with confidence. Walking into your classroom before the first day of school is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. After more…
What Every Lateral-Entry Teacher Needs to Know Before School Starts
What I Wish Someone Had Told Me You don’t have to be the best teacher in your building this year. You only need to become a better teacher than you were yesterday. Progress beats perfection every single time. If you’re…
The Classroom Management Mistakes I See New Teachers Make Every Single Year
The Classroom Management Mistakes I See New Teachers Make Every Single Year If you are a first year teacher or a lateral entry teacher stepping into your own classroom for the first time, classroom management is probably the thing keeping…
How to Set Up Your Classroom for the First Time (Without Losing Your Mind)
How to Set Up Your Classroom for the First Time (Without Losing Your Mind) You walked in and stared at it. Four walls. A bunch of desks. Maybe some leftover stuff from the teacher before you. And absolutely no idea…
What Nobody Tells You Before Your First Day of Teaching
You did everything right. You studied. You student taught (or maybe you didn’t, if you came in through a lateral entry program). You bought the cute supplies. You pinned the classroom setups on Pinterest. You told yourself you were ready….
What Do Teachers Do in the Summer? 15 Raleigh Ideas in 2026
What Do Teachers Do in the Summer? “What do teachers do in the summer?” It’s a question educators hear every year, and one that usually earns a smile, a laugh, or an eye roll. While many people picture teachers spending…