As a teacher, I’ve spent countless hours preparing my students for the next big step in their education journey. But lately, there’s been a growing concern gnawing at the back of my mind. Despite their seemingly impressive GPAs, many of the students I’ve taught simply aren’t ready for the demands of college. I’m not alone …| Teaching Expertise
It was a typical Monday morning in my calculus class. I was halfway through a lesson on derivatives when I noticed one of my students staring blankly at the board. “What’s a denominator again?” they asked. I froze for a moment. How could I expect them to understand derivatives—one of the most complex topics in …| Teaching Expertise
When I first brought Elf on the Shelf into my classroom, I thought it would be a fun way to keep the holiday spirit alive for my students. The idea of hiding the elf each day, seeing the kids’ excitement, and creating a sense of wonder seemed like the perfect way to kick off the …| Teaching Expertise
I still remember my home economics class—learning how to sew on a button, balance a budget, and even cook a simple meal. Those lessons weren’t just fun; they were life skills that I’ve carried into adulthood. Today, though, many of these subjects have disappeared from the classroom, and teachers are asking for them to come …| Teaching Expertise
“No! I put it up because my students love it and ask for it every year!” That’s what one teacher said, defending the choice to decorate the classroom for the holidays. But here’s the question: Do holiday decorations really belong in a classroom environment? Are they as harmless as they seem, or could they create …| Teaching Expertise
I still remember my first year of teaching. I had everything planned down to the last detail—lessons, activities, even seating arrangements. What I didn’t plan for, though, were the words that would come out of my mouth over and over again. Every morning, I would say, “Thank you for coming—have a great day!” And every …| Teaching Expertise
Dear Teaching Expertise, I’ve been teaching for 17 years, and I thought I had seen it all. But this year has thrown me completely off balance. No matter what I try—open-note exams, simplified quizzes, multiple chances—my students are still failing at a rate I’ve never experienced before. I’m beyond frustrated. Where did I go wrong? …| Teaching Expertise
The other day, I asked one of my ninth graders, “What month comes after June?” She stared at me blankly before shrugging and admitting she didn’t know. At first, I thought it was a joke. But it wasn’t. This simple question, something I thought was basic knowledge, stumped a teenager. And it wasn’t the first …| Teaching Expertise
I still remember the excitement I felt when I first stepped into the classroom. I had dreams of shaping young minds, igniting a passion for learning, and making a difference. But somewhere along the way, things began to shift. The extra work piled up, the respect dwindled, and the pressures of teaching became almost unbearable. …| Teaching Expertise
Everyone assumes the principal runs the school, but ask any teacher and they’ll tell you: it’s the school secretary who’s the true mastermind behind the scenes. You’re the one who keeps everything on track, from organizing schedules to handling the day-to-day chaos. Today, we want to acknowledge your vital role in our school’s success. You …| Teaching Expertise
