About: Amy Konen

Amy Konen is a Nationally Board Certified elementary teacher. As a 23-year veteran teacher in public schools, Amy has taught grades 1-5, literacy, and most recently, worked as a behavior support specialist and coach. She will return to the fifth grade classroom in 2017. She also continues her mentoring work for future National Board certification candidates throughout the state of Montana. Amy earned her Master’s degree in reading and literacy and in 2000, was the recipient of the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) for her work in elementary math. In 2014, BNSF (Burlington Northern Santa Fe) selected Amy as the Teacher of the Year for Great Falls, Montana. She started the first and only Sensory Room in Great Falls Public Schools to provide behavior and socio-emotional support for all students in her elementary school. Amy believes in the power of relationships to inspire students to grow, learn, have courage, and be kind.

Recent Posts by Amy Konen

Flexible Seating Classroom: Daily 5’s 4-Reason Fit

Illustrated teacher sitting on a rug reading a pop-up storybook to five children gathered in a circle
A flexible seating classroom swaps assigned desks for a mix of seating types: floor pillows, stools, standing desks, and rockers that students choose based on the work they're doing. Paired with Daily 5's gathering-space model, it may help reduce off-task behavior and support engagement, while giving students a real say in how they learn. [xyz_feat_school]…
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How to Regain Control of a Classroom: 10 Strategies That Work

Cartoon of two school administrators calmly telling a teacher, "It looks like you have everything under control," amid classroom chaos
To regain control of a classroom, stop escalating consequences and start changing conditions. Repeated behavior may reflect dysregulation, unmet needs, skill deficits, environmental factors, or other causes worth assessing first. Calming spaces, scheduled breaks, flexible seating, and alternative ways to show work can give students more control over their day. [xyz_feat_school] There you are in…
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How to Build Positive Relationships with Students: 10 Strategies

Group of elementary school kids sitting together with arms around each other's shoulders
Building positive relationships with students comes down to small, consistent actions: greet them daily, follow through on your word, stay consistent, and actually listen when they talk. This matters most for kids facing adversity, since a stable, trusted adult relationship is a well-supported protective factor that can help buffer stress and support engagement with learning.…
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Power Struggles With Students: 5 Ways to Stay Calm

Teacher with a hand on the shoulder of a girl standing with arms crossed as classmates talk nearby
Power struggles with students end fastest when you stop competing for the win. Drop your volume, slow your speech, use fewer words, and give the student a way to save face. Pushing harder can contribute to the next standoff starting at a higher level of escalation. [xyz_feat_school] We have all been there. You are teaching…
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