Blog
Harnessing the Power of AI Tools for Teachers
By: Teacher.org Staff | Apr 11, 2024
For most teachers, the initial reaction to artificial intelligence was horror. After all, if AI was able to write assignments in an instant, or pass standardized exams, the possibilities for students cheating skyrocketed.
But on reflection, AI has more to offer to teachers and students through legitimate educational uses than illicit ones.
The key challenge for teachers today is to identify those uses and ...
The Fears Teachers Have: Part 2) Have Well-Educated Adults Lost Their Ability To Have a Backbone?
By: Mary McLaughlin | Mar 22, 2019
This is Part 2 of a three-part series on Teacher Fears, and in it we will explore what’s really ruminating in the hearts and minds of the people in this profession. This exploration will consider the things that teachers are often hesitant to discuss or write about for fear of ...
The Fears Teachers Have: Part 1) Facing Down What Is Real, What Is Perceived and What Makes Teachers Fear For Their Jobs and Careers
By: Mary McLaughlin | Mar 20, 2019
This is Part 1 of a three-part series on Teacher Fears, and in it we will explore what’s really ruminating in the hearts and minds of the people in this profession. This exploration will consider the things that teachers are often hesitant to discuss or write about for fear of ...
4 Strategies to Reframe Student and Parent Comments to the Positive
By: Jon Konen | Mar 12, 2019
Have you ever wanted to change the words that someone says? As an educator, reframing words is a conversational skill that can be very tricky, but very effective in the success of a student. Many times we using reframing to change negative self-talk or unhealthy perceptions of others. The best ...
Igniting Magic: 5 Things I Learned When I Transformed My Classroom Into a Campground
By: Brooke Knowles | Feb 11, 2019
Can you just hear the crackle of the campfire and the crickets chirping? How about the sweet taste of marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers? The tent is set up in your favorite spot, right next to the tallest evergreen tree. You and the kids settle in to read a good book ...
Leadership: 7 Unintentional Lessons I Learned from Failure
By: Jon Konen | Feb 4, 2019
Failure is often misinterpreted.
We shy away from failure, especially if we are perfectionists. When in reality, it can be the greatest learning experience and an opportunity for personal growth.
Recently I applied for a superintendent position in my school district. The district is the second largest in Montana with roughly 10,500 ...
You Can’t Control All the Factors That Lead to Problem Behavior, But You CAN Manage It In The Classroom
By: Mary McLaughlin | Jan 24, 2019
I have three dogs—Homer, Scruffy, and Murphy (whose whole name is Murphy Hugh Jackman…long story).
Homer came to me because of a rainy day.
Typical for me on a rainy day, I picked up my lap top and sat down to mindlessly browse the web during Christmas vacation. A page popped up ...
Training and Retaining Great Talent in America’s Teaching Ranks
By: Mary McLaughlin | Jan 9, 2019
In the last week of the year. All across this great land of ours, American Teachers were enjoying the reprieve from day-to-day tasks involved with educating America’s youth.
Not many (okay, probably a lot really ARE…I’m probably the only slacker) were reading professional articles about enhancing classroom practice. Probably few were ...
The Construction Foreman Parent: 5 Strategies for Raising a Kind and Humble Child
By: Jon Konen | Jan 8, 2019
This picture is worth 1,000 words and it tells a story. A story of a child’s hard work with football…signing day! Our son recently signed a letter of intent to play football for University of Montana Western. There is a back story to this picture that I would like to ...
15 Memes That Make Me Laugh, Cry, and Try!
By: Jon Konen | Dec 11, 2018
Memes can be powerful reminders about the current state of education. It will interesting to compare them ten or twenty years from now. What we focus on now, may or may not be what we focus on then.
As educators they can have a impact on what we do daily, or ...
Accepting Personal Responsibility and Being a Good Teacher-Leader
By: Mary McLaughlin | Dec 5, 2018
I have, on more than one occasion, been told I am bossy. It is a term assigned to me which has really never bothered me.
I’ve also been called four-eyes, ugly, chicken legs, fatso, a b****, mean, stupid and loads of others.
Over time, one either begins to believe the words they ...