Hooray For Monday

In this week's Hooray For Monday, Aleta asks why really return to the classroom and shares information on the upcoming Inspired Teaching livestream event series, Conversations on Connection. Written version: https://inspiredteaching.org/why-we-go-back-to-school-hooray-for-monday/ Resources: ABCDE of Learner Needs Guidebook https://inspiredteaching.org/abcde-learner-needs-guidebook/ Professional De...

In this week's Hooray For Monday, Aleta introduces Inspired Teaching's The ABCDE of Learner Needs Guidebook -- a must-have tool for teachers, administrators, and parents to begin the new school year. Download the Guidebook: https://simplebooklet.com/theabcdeoflearnerneedsguidebook August Inspired Teaching Institute: Wednesday, August 9, 7pm EST: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/677015701187 Tuesday, A...

In this week's Hooray For Monday, marketing and communications specialist Michelle Welk speaks with Christa Barfield, founder and CEO of FarmerJawn Agriculture, about organic, regenerative farming and pursuing your curiosity despite fear. Transcript: https://inspiredteaching.org/do-it-afraid-hooray-for-monday/ Resources: Pennsylvania Horticultural Society: https://phsonline.org/ Rodale Institute:...

Inspired Teaching continues our exploration of curiosity with this conversation between Aleta and Marcus Lee, a former professional football player who now owns a yoga studio in Maryland. Written Version: https://inspiredteaching.org/what-makes-yogi-curious-hooray-for-monday/ Resources: Word-at-a-Time Stories: https://inspiredteaching.org/word-at-a-time-stories/ Automatic Writing: https://inspired...

This week, Jenna speaks with Dr. Cecilia Behn, a mathematician at Colorado School of Mines, about what makes her curious! Transcript: Resources: Society for Mathematical Biology: https://www.smb.org/ Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics: https://www.siam.org/ Sync: How order emerges from chaos in the universe, nature, and daily life: https://www.stevenstrogatz.com/books/sync-the-emerging...

Whether you are in the classroom this summer or experiencing the rest of a break, this week's Hooray For Monday encourages you to consider the importance of finding joy in teaching -- and in the moment. Written version: https://inspiredteaching.org/you-cant-joyful-yesterday-hooray-for-monday/ Resources: Word-at-a-Time Stories: https://inspiredteaching.org/word-at-a-time-stories/ July Inspired Teac...

Today we’re sharing the Rules of Inspired Teaching Improv. They outline an approach to teaching and learning that you can practice this summer. They also map beautifully to our 5 Core Elements (https://inspiredteaching.org/inspired-teaching-approach/)! Written Version: https://inspiredteaching.org/rules-of-inspired-teaching-improv/ Resources: Seven Bikes: https://inspiredteaching.org/seven-bikes/...

In recognition and celebration of Juneteenth, Jenna and Aleta discuss the importance of documenting history and making connections between the past and our present. Written Version: https://inspiredteaching.org/learning-history-from-those-who-lived-it/ Resources: Kelly Elaine Navies Summary video: https://youtu.be/QdFX3AaqppM Juneteenth Reflection: https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/what-junete...

A sense of belonging is a core need we all share. We long to be seen and heard. And we learn to be part of a community and to value others in it when we are taught to be open, to instead of afraid of, difference, and when we exercise curiosity instead of judgment. Written Version: https://inspiredteaching.org/proud-to-belong/ Resources: Activities to Connect with Families: https://inspiredteaching...

In this week's Hooray For Monday, we share the Inspired Teaching staff's summer reading recommendations, as well as thoughts from Jenna and Aleta on making the most of the summer months. Summer Resource Guide: https://simplebooklet.com/summerresources2023#page=1 Inspired Teaching Institute Mon. June 5, 3p ET: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-power-of-reflection-looking-for-wide-ranging-evidence-of...

In early May, Aleta hosted a LinkedIn Live interview with Dr. Tangy Millard, principal at West Potomac High School, about the importance of school connectedness. In that discussion, Dr. Millard shared her appreciation for the challenges all of us in education face right now which exist alongside a strong desire to get back to normal. But maybe normal isn’t where we should be setting our sights. Wr...

Aleta speaks with Jill Vialet, Co-founder, and Erin Ruegg, Director of Teaching & Learning, at Substantial Classrooms (https://substantialclassrooms.org) -- a nonprofit dedicated to improving the substitute teaching situation for everyone. Aleta, Jill, and Erin discuss the myths around subs, the role teachers can play in creating welcoming environments, and more. Written Version: https://inspiredt...

This week, Inspired Teaching Director of Teaching and Learning Jenna Fournel speaks with Sarah Elwell, Assistant Director of Professional Learning at the American Federation of Teachers. Sarah shares her insight into the necessity for professional development, its impact on her teaching career, and the importance of being open to every learning opportunity. Written version: https://inspiredteachin...

In celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week, Inspired Teaching shares insights from a newcomer to the. Bella Cavicchi is a former colleague at Inspired Teaching who moved to London and last year, became a teacher. Her story is a beautiful reminder of why we do this work. Written Version: https://inspiredteaching.org/reflections-from-a-first-year-inspired-teacher/ Resources: Random Walk: https://in...

Happy Teacher Appreciation Month to everyone in our Hooray For Monday community. Know that at Inspired Teaching we remain committed to providing teachers with quality learning experiences that honor their Intellect, Inquiry, Imagination, and Integrity. This is how we show our deep respect for all you do. Written Version: https://inspiredteaching.org/hooray-for-pd/ Resources Inspired Teaching Insti...

In this week's Hooray for Monday, we share insights into children's mental health for teachers, from a medical professional. Inspired Teaching's marketing & communications associate Michelle Welk speaks with Dr. Sarah Ash Combs, an attending physician in the ER department at Children's National Hospital in Washington DC. Written version: Safe and Happy and Healthy: https://inspiredteaching.org/saf...

Students feel connected both to their learning and to one another when they have the opportunity to discuss things that matter to them. AI matters to all of us. When we discuss, debate, and problem-solve together, we strengthen our connections to one another. And of course, we learn a great deal along the way. Written Version: https://inspiredteaching.org/can-ai-bring-us-together/ Resources: Don't...

A WITH approach to teaching is both supportive and grounded in clear expectations. When we use a with approach we’re shifting from “It’s my job to do things for students,” to “It’s my job to engage with students because I truly value what they bring to our community.” Written Version: https://inspiredteaching.org/to-not-for-with/ Resources: Creating a classroom that is student, not teacher, driven...

What would it take for every single child in every single school to feel in their bones that someone is on their side - that they can count on someone having their back no matter what? Written Version: https://inspiredteaching.org/you-are-not-alone/ . . . . . Resources: Interesting, Important, Useful: https://inspiredteaching.org/interesting-important-useful/ Poster Analysis: https://www.instigato...

For the past several weeks we’ve been talking about school connectedness after a report from the CDC found that just 61% of high school students feel connected to someone at school. Today we’ll take a peek inside a school where on a recent EmpowerK12 survey 98% of students said they feel a sense of belonging. Jenna Fournel, Director of Teaching & Learning, speaks with Monisha Karnani. Monisha is t...

Adults are almost always outnumbered in schools. So it's easy, particularly at the end of a long day, to feel that the students and their problematic behaviors are what get in the way of school connectedness. But what if they actually know things we don’t about how to solve the problems? See what happens this week if you ask your students for help. . . . . . Resources: Rethinking Classroom Jobs: h...

This week, as you think through your lessons, look for those spots where students can share their expertise - with you, with each other, with their families, with the broader community. Written Version: https://inspiredteaching.org/create-connection-by-sharing-student-expertise/ . . . . . . Resources Scribe's Record: https://www.instigatorofthought.org/scribesrecord Interesting, Important, Useful:...

Humans thrive on being seen and heard, and the reflection shared in this week's Hooray For Monday often pushes us to think of new ways to see and hear our students more. . . . . . . Written version: https://inspiredteaching.org/curiosity-and-school-connectedness/ Resources: Sunshine vs. Up All Night Reflection Sheet: https://mcusercontent.com/b82ba57eebd6ac2ac331f5104/files/5a3ad1f4-2f8e-dbbc-4968...

If we deepen our relationships with our students and let learner needs inform every approach we take to strengthening connections, we’ll improve the school experience and well-being of the children in our care, and ourselves as well. Written version: https://inspiredteaching.org/the-urgent-need-to-increase-school-connectedness/ Resources Emotion Continuum: https://www.instigatorofthought.org/emoti...

Whether you’re an adult flying a helicopter or a child learning the skills you’ll need to fly on your own one day, it’s good to keep your curiosity in shape. Our continued growth as learners is fueled by our capacity to figure things out. Written Version: https://inspiredteaching.org/when-the-helicopter-is-going-down/ Resources Exploring the power of curiosity and deeper learning: https://open.spo...