Pedagogy Pointers

Welcome to the “Teaching Basics” page or what I like to call my “Pedagogy Pointers,” a little peek into my personal playbook for navigating the wonderful world of teaching in Georgia! This isn’t your average list; think of it as a friendly compilation of guidelines, suggestions, mantras, and even a few survival tips I’ve picked up over my 17-years in the classroom. You’ll find everything from basic rules to words of advice for those “when the moment arrives” situations, along with a few mantras I like to repeat, and some bits just for fun. Consider it a random, ever-changing, and ever-growing living document of my life as someone who simply loves being a teacher. Enjoy the list – I hope it brings a smile or a helpful spark to your own teaching journey!

Note: these are not in any particular order and may seem like chaos.

“When life gives you lemons, toss them out and get some peaches.”

The List…

Be authentically yourself. Students respond to genuine personalities, not just perfect instructors.
Remember your “why.” On tough days, recall the reasons you chose to become a teacher.
Breathe.
Journal. It helps.
Remember to laugh! A sense of humor is a powerful tool in the classroom.
Prioritize self-care. Teaching is demanding; schedule time for rest, hobbies, and disconnecting from work.
Just call the parent.
Communicate proactively with parents. A quick positive call can build a strong partnership.
Invest in comfortable shoes. You’ll be on your feet more than you think.
Build a positive classroom culture from day one. Set clear expectations and celebrate small successes often.
Document, document, document. You will thank your past self later.
Save all of your files with the longest file name you can think of so that you can easily search for them later.
It’s okay to be wrong.
Don’t take things personally. Student behaviors often aren’t about you, even when they feel that way.
Over-plan, then be ready to adapt. It’s better to have too much material than too little, but flexibility is key.
Apologizing doesn’t make you weak.
Sometimes you just have to put on the ‘dog and pony’ show.
The piece of paper matters.
Imposter syndrome is real.
Find your “teacher tribe.” Connect with colleagues who can offer support, mentorship, and a laugh when you need it most.
When you get frustrated with someone or something, just pause and ask, “What is really going on?”
If you don’t love teaching, find another profession.
It’s okay to have days when you dislike your job. Everyone does, including teachers.
De-escalating begins with a question and an understanding that perhaps you just didn’t understand.
Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle. Everyone starts somewhere; focus on your own growth journey.
The adage, “Those who can’t do teach,” is the most offensive statement you can make to a teacher.
Value is not measured by quantity; it is measured by quality and worth. You get to define those parameters.
Set boundaries for work-life balance from day one. It’s harder to establish later.
Sometimes, it’s just better to wait in silence.
Some days, they don’t get a ‘clean slate.’
Create routines, and stick to them. Predictability helps both you and your students thrive.
Sometimes the best thing you can do is let them fail.
No, you do not need to save that broken ______________.
Stop being a pack rat.
Being honest doesn’t mean being disrespectful.
You’ve got to give respect to get it.
Learn to say no. You don’t have to volunteer for every committee or extra duty. Protect your time.
Students do not learn from teachers they can’t like, even a little.
Get to know one fact about a student a day that isn’t a basic fact, like how many siblings they have. Gather facts about students like the last pieces of the best plate of food you’ve ever had. Then, tell everyone about it.
Embrace feedback. View observations and suggestions as opportunities to learn and refine your craft.
Take a photo of your class the last week of school. Keep doing it and make an album. Label it, and when you have a bad day, look at it and remember all the good you’ve done and will do.
Celebrate small victories. A student mastering a concept, a positive interaction, a successful lesson – acknowledge them.
Have an ‘I love teaching’ drawer, box, or photo album, and look at it once a month just to enjoy the best part of your job.
Master transitions. Smooth transitions between activities can save valuable teaching time and prevent disruptions.
Have a ‘decompression window’ every day when everyone around you knows to just be silent.
Take the 15-minute break.
It’s okay to have a sign on your classroom door that says, ‘Please do not interrupt my teaching unless…’
Know your content standards inside and out. They are your map for instruction.
Adults do not get to speak to you like you are their student.
Share the workload! No matter what.
Prioritize and streamline; they go together.
Data-driven instruction is based on actual collected data that is for the group you are currently instructing. Not a gut guess. Not a ‘I have been doing this for years’ estimation. Raw data.
An assessment is only effective if a standard is being assessed from multiple angles.
It’s okay for students to have a bad day and need a break. Give it to them.
Understanding begins with listening.
Listening is processing what someone has said to you and then taking unified action.
Create classroom jobs! Do it! Rotate the jobs and reward them with simple things, like a pass to sit next to their friend the next week.
Feedback should be actionable and goal-oriented.
Decorate for functionality, not just aesthetics. Make your classroom a usable, inspiring learning space.
Pay attention to patterns; they mean something good or bad. Like if Bobby goes to the restroom every day at the same time for eight minutes, something is up.
Trust that feeling. Your gut knows.
Build a positive rapport with custodial staff and office personnel. They are your allies and often hold vital information.
Save one copy of everything you ever make or create.
You never really know. That’s okay.
The best response sometimes is, “I don’t know, but I will find out.”
Get a Google Voice number. It will make everything easier.
Know your student population. Understand it, and use that to foster your community.
Don’t reinvent the wheel every time. It’s okay to borrow and adapt resources from others.
Learn the school culture. Every school has its unique rhythms, unspoken rules, and traditions. Observe and ask
Send out a weekly email. Make it brief: update on when you will update grades, upcoming tests, and materials you are covering.
Get to know your students on the first day. The first day of school, do not go over the syllabus. Wait. Just play a game and get to know them, and let them get to know you.
I don’t like to call roll. I hate hearing ‘HERE’ or ‘PRESENT.’ Instead, ask a daily fun question, like ‘Who would win in a fight: 100 gorillas or 100 men?’ or ‘What is your favorite sauce flavor on wings?’ or ‘What is your Starbucks order?’
Reflect consistently. After a lesson, ask yourself what worked, what didn’t, and why.
Be clear: I am not your friend, but I am friendly toward you.
Be clearer: I do not grade ‘you’; I grade ‘your work.’
Stay curious about teaching methods and research. Education is an evolving field.
My only classroom rule is: ‘Do not be rude.’
Excuses are opportunities for lies. Do not accept them; only accept an apology and a plan they create to get out of the hole they have dug.
Keep your classroom organized. A chaotic space can lead to a chaotic mind for both you and your students.
CLEAN YOUR DESK EVERY DAY BEFORE YOU LEAVE. No matter what!
Create a substitute teacher folder that is incredibly detailed. It will save you headaches. Then, summarize it all on a post-it note and place it on top.
Serious times call for serious people, but it doesn’t mean you also should not also smile, laugh, and be human.

MORE TO COME SOON!