Photo by Jakob on Unsplash Image by Lorenzo Cafaro from Pixabay “Are you grading for spelling on this?” a middle-school-aged student asked about his essay. Of course I was grading for spelling—on this essay and on other assignments. But...

It happens all too often. People ask me what I do, and I say, “I’m a high school and college English teacher!” I’m usually met with the same response: eye-rolls and comments about how “I hated writing when I was in school” or “I don’t like...

“When you said that, it made me feel happy,” a student shyly confided to me after I had spoken with her. I do not remember what I had said, but I do remember her comment. Words are important to me. They are a gift. We may hear “He has a...

Remember Connor*, the student who gave me a beautiful package of chocolate one morning? This chocolate was only one of the grace moments listed in my last post . But let me tell you about Connor and why his gift was significant. Connor...

The topic of motivation excites me a good deal more than procedures, rules, and other necessary-but-dry aspects of running a classroom. Here are three motivational strategies for any classroom: Make sure the students (and you) understand...

Last summer, I had the privilege of working at my father’s business just as he was starting to put significant effort into implementing an approach called “lean manufacturing.” As its name suggests, lean manufacturing attempts to increase...

“I must say I don’t really care for parent/teacher conferences. I showed the paper to Seth and said, 'Let’s just sign up to talk to Miss Birt,'" a mom shared with me. Since Seth is a high-school student, this mom wouldn’t be signing up for...

Years ago, a wise teacher offered me invaluable advice. When I bemoaned my failures in the classroom, my impatience, and my inability to portray God as the perfect authority, he clearly understood my lament. Then speaking out of his...

One day after a chapel speaker reflected on being thankful, my students said “thank you” for everything. “Thank you” when I handed out the worksheets. “Thank you” when I tied their shoes. “Thank you” for a compliment. That was very good,...

In the classroom I strive to maximize excellence and efficiency coupled with education. “Today I’m going to tell you about an excellent resource that will enlighten all your writing assignments and expand your vocabulary,” she beamed...

Photo by Gautam Arora on Unsplash “Effective instruction practices are an integral part of effective behavior management practices” (Sprick, 2006). Effective instruction influences student behavior and will prevent much misbehavior. When...

I wonder if others have noticed with me that grumbling about circumstances often only makes the situation worse. Plus, the negative focus depletes energy. Over the years I have wasted mountains of energy when I focused on unpleasant...

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash School prepares our students for life in the adult world. So why bother with oral reading beyond first or second grade? Most students can read faster silently than orally. Some students find oral reading...

In his classic memoir of school teaching, The Thread That Runs So True, Jesse Stuart tells this little story: “At the noon hour of my first day at Landsburgh High School, I noticed a last year’s sign beside the walk that read: KEEP OFF THE...

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash In our neck of the woods, “November” is our shorthand for “bleak days with unremitting gray skies and lots of rain.” Sometimes we say “No” because that’s even shorter. But it doesn’t change anything. What...

Crash! Oh, dear. Nelson’s box of 64 crayons just spilled again. Five children rush from their seats to help him pick up the crayons. This is in the middle of math class, so I would like for them to leave the clutter for a bit. These...

I had never seriously pondered the mandate in Ephesians to not be drunk with wine. Wine doesn’t even tempt me. But is it possible to become intoxicated with things other than wine? Is it possible that other pleasures could be just as...

I began teaching before everyday Americans had computers or email in their homes. I remember when students had to get books from the library or use encyclopedias to get information for reports, and when students handed in papers which were...

Recently as I recounted several math ideas I find beneficial in the classroom, I thought perhaps sharing them could inspire another teacher. After all, don’t we regularly beg, borrow, and steal ideas? I imagine that you too rarely swallow...

“Refreshments will be served.” Sometimes we hear this announced in regards to a meeting or event. Refreshments are not something I’m very good at. I don’t always think ahead, or I wonder, “What can I do quickly?” Serving refreshments can...