You’ve probably heard the old saying: “Don’t smile until Christmas.” But what does that even mean? 🤔

When I first started teaching, I took this phrase way too seriously. I walked into my classroom looking super intense 😐, trying to act tough. That lasted… about two days. Then I tried the opposite...

Teaching is one of the hardest jobs in the world. And if you’re a first-year teacher, you might be going home every day feeling exhausted 😩, stressed 😔, or even ready to cry in your car 😢. Guess what? That is okay.

💛 It’s Normal to Feel Overwhelmed

When you start teaching, you jump into a brand-...

🧑‍🏫 Teaching is one of the most rewarding jobs, but let’s be honest—it can be tough when the class gets noisy or distracted. Every teacher has had those moments when students are talking, not paying attention, or doing their own thing. But today, I want to share a simple 5-second trick that can he...

When I first started teaching, I almost got fired. 😬
It wasn’t because of test scores or content.
It was because I couldn’t control my classroom.

And I’m not the only one. Over 55% of teachers don’t make it past their first five years. Many leave because classroom management feels overwhelming. I...

Even if you don’t teach history or government, you’ve probably faced this challenge: How do I make a tough topic click? 💡

In my class, I teach the three branches of government by telling a story about a boy named Steven 🧒 — and it works like magic!

Steven’s mom makes the rule: “No jumping on the...

Have you ever had a student look you right in the eye and say, “No”? 😳
It can be frustrating, but here’s the secret — you don’t have to raise your voice to get results.

After 20+ years of teaching, I’ve learned that calm and consistency always win. 🧠

Here’s what works:

💬 1. Stay Calm

When a st...

Ever feel like your classroom has too much noise or too many distractions? You’re not alone! 😅 Most classroom disruptions start from small things — like a student searching for a pencil, chatting during a transition, or moving around when they shouldn’t.

The good news? 🎉 You can stop most of thes...

Being a substitute teacher is tough! 😅 You walk into a classroom where students don’t know you, the lesson plans might be missing, and the day can feel unpredictable. But here’s the good news — there are simple things you can do to make sure schools want you back! 🙌

Here are my Top 5 Tips for sub...

Every teacher knows the panic of waking up sick 😷 or getting that last-minute call saying you can’t make it to school. You rush to throw together lesson plans and hope your classroom doesn’t look like a tornado hit it when you return. 🌪️

Here’s the truth — emergency lesson plans don’t have to lea...

Parent-teacher conferences can feel stressful 😬 — not because you don’t know your students, but because you never know what parents will ask!

Here’s the good news: after 21 years of teaching, I’ve learned that most parents ask the same 3 questions every single time. Once you’re ready for these, y...

Test days don’t have to feel stressful or loud 😩. In fact, with the right routine, they can be some of the easiest days of the year! 🙌

After 21 years of teaching, I’ve learned one big truth: structure = calm. When students know exactly what to do, there’s less talking, less confusion, and more fo...

Have you ever felt like your students care more about making noise than making grades? 😩 Don’t worry — you’re not alone!

After 21 years of teaching, I’ve learned one powerful secret: accountability changes everything 💡. When students clearly see how their actions affect their grades, their behavi...