Author: sanjay

When I first started teaching, I let my students pick their team names for an activity we were doing in class. One team chose “Netflix and Chill” as a team name. I loved it. I got excited when they announced their team name and responded, “I love to Netflix and chill! My husband and I Netflix and chill every night!” The class erupted. They laughed immediately and collectively—the kind of laughter that I love. This time, I knew that I had obviously said something inappropriate. So, I did what you do to diffuse an awkward moment and started river dancing.…

How much time does it take to do your hair before you leave for school in the morning? How much time would you like it to take? If the answer is generally “less,” you might want to take a look into Bio Ionic. Not only does this brand offer all sorts of fast and efficient hair tools, but it also provides an educator discount. From flat irons to blow dryers and curling wands, Bio Ionic specializes in providing “healthy heat products,” or heated hair tools that leave your hair softer and shinier after styling. Whether you need to dry your…

Ramadan is a festive and holy time in Islam, meant for togetherness and community. There are nearly 2 billion Muslims worldwide, and 98% of them celebrate Ramadan. For some Muslim students, however, this time can sometimes be lonely or isolating, especially if they are a small minority. Fortunately, there are a few simple things teachers can do to support students during Ramadan. Here’s what you need to know, plus resources to help you along the way. What Teachers Should Know About Ramadan These frequently asked questions and answers about Ramadan offer information to help non-Muslim educators understand the basics of…

If you’ve been saving up to spoil yourself for the start of the spring semester, you could always go classic with jewelry. So why not check out Grown Brilliance for its sustainable sets and its teacher discount? Educators save 10% on Grown Brilliance Grown Brilliance is a jewelry brand that offers ethically produced and carbon-neutral diamonds. Whether you’re searching for the right engagement ring, choosing to treat yourself, or getting a gift for another teacher friend, you’ll be able to shop according to both your style and your values. To save 10% on your Grown Brilliance purchase, simply verify your…

Air pollution is often invisible to the naked eye, but this memorable experiment makes it impossible to ignore. In this free, ready‑to‑use lesson plan from Ward’s Science, your students create petroleum‑jelly–coated index card particulate traps. After hanging them in various locations, they return later to observe the dust, fibers, soot, pollen, and other airborne evidence they’ve collected. It’s a powerful way for students to see the impact of air quality firsthand and to compare results across the school environment. Best of all, this inquiry‑based activity requires minimal prep and fits beautifully into your earth science, AgSci, environmental science, biology, chemistry,…

April Fools’ Day is a great time to insert some silly, harmless fun into the school day. It’s also a great opportunity to build classroom community, spark laughter, and encourage critical thinking in a low-pressure way. Add this April Fools’ Day unsolvable word search worksheet into morning work or assign it for extra work or as a “can do” when students are finished with their work. Have students work in groups to see if they can solve it, and the first group to call “April Fools’!” wins a prize. (Bonus points if they figure it out through teamwork and observation!)…

Introduction Teachers shape students’ intellectual and emotional development, yet many remain under persistent financial strain. Student loan debt is common among educators and often extends well beyond the early years of teaching, influencing mental well-being, job satisfaction, and decisions about whether to stay in the profession. This pressure is rarely discussed alongside curriculum or instruction, but it affects everyday choices: taking on additional work, delaying home ownership, or leaving the classroom altogether. Recent national surveys of educators consistently report that the average U.S. teacher carries more than $40,000 in student loan debt, with many early-career teachers owing substantially more. Combined…

These prompts are drawn from 50 Days of SEL & Metacognitive Writing Prompts for Middle School, a resource that includes a full set of prompts across all six domains along with a student self-reflection rubric and implementation guide. You can also find Metacognitive Prompts. as well. Social Navigation Describe a time when you had to work with someone whose approach was very different from yours. What did you learn about collaboration? Think about a group you belong to. This could be a team, a class, a friend group. What unspoken rules exist in that group, and how did you learn…

April Fools’ Day is the perfect opportunity to share a few laughs with your students—ones they’ll remember for years to come. Of course, not all pranks are created equal. As teachers, we know the importance of using simple pranks that keep things lighthearted without crossing any lines or making students upset. While some pranks can bring joy and foster a stronger connection with your students, others might cause confusion, stress, or anguish. We don’t advocate pranking about grades, telling students you’ve been fired, lining them up outside the nurse’s office for “flu shots,” or other April Fools’ jokes that can…

National Read Across America Week starts on March 2, 2026. The week is a nationwide effort to celebrate reading and reinforce the importance of reading with a focus on young children. It’s within National Reading Month in March, so it’s a great time to reinforce reading across the school day. Check out these Read Across America activities and ideas to get your students excited about reading! We Are Teachers FREE PRINTABLE Read Across America Activity Bundle Grab our free Read Across America printable bundle with worksheets and activities, including a state-themed reading tracker, a book list, reading logs, bookmarks, challenges, and…