Learn from a veteran, NBCT English teacher how to grade less, not more so that you don’t become a workaholic zombie.
I’m Ready to Get Started!
Most Recent Posts
Read my latest tips, tricks, and musings below.
Teaching Effective Presentation Skills in English Language Arts Classrooms
Presentation skills are a worry for most people. And, let’s face it…public speaking is a part of life (even if it’s just life in middle school or high school). In…
Teaching Effective Presentation Skills in English Language Arts ClassroomsRead More
Understanding Poetic Devices: Personification, Alliteration, and More
Poetic devices are a way of helping readers understand and interpret poems. By using poetic devices, writers are able to make their readers feel as if they are experiencing what…
Understanding Poetic Devices: Personification, Alliteration, and MoreRead More
20 Must-Read Classic Novels for High School Students
I think one of the interesting things about canonized literature is the way public opinion about classic novels changes over time. Certainly few people would have thought To Kill a…
20 Must-Read Classic Novels for High School StudentsRead More
10 Reasons to Try Round Table Discussions
Round table discussions can be a powerful tool for teachers and students alike. They allow all participants to share their perspective on a particular issue, discuss ideas, and refine their…
101 Writing Prompts for all Levels of ELA
Here are 101 writing prompts for all levels of ELA. You can use these writing prompts when your students’ writing starts to feel a little stale or when you’re needing…
Everything You Wanted to Know About Student Blogging
Student blogging is like a jolt of espresso to a classroom (or teacher) with a case of the blah’s. You know, the mid-semester, mid-winter, need-to-spice-things-up, please just get me to…
Everything You Wanted to Know About Student BloggingRead More
Teachers, Open Your Eyes to OpenAI’s ChatGPT
I am human. I feel the need to add this disclaimer considering the subject at hand: OpenAI’s ChatGPT. And what’s ChatGPT? The coming savior, providing the world with endless answers…
Back from Break: Re-Establishing Rules & Routine in Classrooms
Back from break? Not sure how to get back into the swing of things? Need to review routine in the classroom before diving into content? I’ve got you covered! I’ve…
Back from Break: Re-Establishing Rules & Routine in ClassroomsRead More
23 Poems to Teach in the Winter
On the hunt for poems to teach in the winter? There’s just something so very Walden Pond about looking at beautiful language inspired by nature during the winter season. If…
Analyzing a Song – So Simple Every Student Can Do It
English teachers, teaching your students how to analyze song lyrics needs to be a “go-to” strategy, a step toward deeper analysis of more complex texts. Whether you’re teaching poetry, persuasive…
Analyzing a Song – So Simple Every Student Can Do ItRead More
Revolutionize Your EXIT TICKETS With These Easy-Peasy Tips
Exit tickets, a.k.a. “exit slips” or “checks for understanding” are a great way for teachers to monitor student progress and for students to develop stronger metacognition about their skills and…
Revolutionize Your EXIT TICKETS With These Easy-Peasy TipsRead More
Improve Your Transition Words In An Essay Skills
Transition words in an essay are a great way of linking ideas together. If you’re writing an essay on why you should be allowed to eat cake at breakfast (and…
Effective Teaching Resources & Strategies For English Teachers
This isn’t your average English teacher blog! My passion is helping creative teacher-learners build culture and community in their classrooms by designing student-centered learning resources and innovative, inspiring content.
“I want you to feel empowered and inspired to do what you do best…just teach!”
Products That Set You Free To Teach
Embrace creativity and create thinkers.
Engaging learner-centered resources for grades 6 to 12.
Wouldn’t it be nice to have solutions rather than problems?
Someone to “have your back” in the trenches?
A go-to resource for high-quality, engaging lessons and teaching resources that you can depend on?
Browse Our Categories
Here you can find a wealth of information broken down into categorized chunks.