Author: sanjay
Most people put vacation destinations and paint colors on their vision boards. Naomi Meredith put a STEM trailer on hers. And not just any trailer—one packed with engineering challenges, build‑it-yourself activities, and all the spark that made her Colorado STEM classroom on wheels legendary. While it took a few years and some hard work, Naomi was able to turn her vision-board dream into a fully functioning mobile STEM space that now rolls up to schools, events, and anywhere kids are ready to tinker. In this Q&A, Naomi shares the story behind her idea and the joy of teaching STEM wherever…
National Read Across America Week starts March 2, 2026, and it’s the perfect time to get students excited about reading. The trick? Keeping that momentum going with activities that feel fun, meaningful, and flexible. Our free printable reading activities and worksheets motivate students by helping them track their reading, explore stories across all 50 states, and take on creative reading challenges—all while celebrating a love of reading that starts with Read Across America Week. We Are Teachers FREE PRINTABLE Reading Activities Bundle Download our free printable reading bundle with book lists, bookmarks, and lots of other ways to celebrate student…
Teen slang: Are you too mid to understand it, or can you flex with the best of them? Teachers owe it to themselves to stay up on the latest teen lingo, no matter how inscrutable it seems (6-7, anyone?). It can help you connect with kids, even if you only pick a word or two to try out. One fun option is our free printable teen slang posters. TBH, kids might tell you they’re cringe, but teachers are known for being a little extra anyway! Feeling lost? You need our guide to 100+ Teen Slang Words and Phrases! FREE PRINTABLES…
When the world shut down in spring 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Texas teacher Emily Wilde assumed she’d see her students again in a couple of weeks. Instead, many simply disappeared from her life. The suddenness of it—the unfinished conversations, the things she never got to say—stayed with her long after remote learning ended. So that fall, just before Thanksgiving break, Emily grabbed a stack of paper and wrote a heartfelt letter to every single one of her 130 students. It was meant to be a onetime gesture. Six years later, it has become one of her most meaningful…
Illinois teacher Adam Peterson didn’t plan on becoming a TEDx speaker. But when a classroom kindness project went viral, it didn’t take him long to find the stage. Adam’s talk, “Be the Yellow,” was inspired by the memory of his colleague who radiated positivity. TEDx featured it on a stage in Illinois a few years ago, and now Adam is sharing the experience of TEDx with us in this Q&A. If you’ve ever thought about being a public speaker, TED-xer, or even just a presenter at a conference, you’ll want to check this out. You can also follow Adam on…
Artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly woven into everyday life. From the tools students use for homework to the technologies shaping future careers, AI is here to stay. With this in mind, it’s increasingly important for our students to understand what AI is and how it works. Start this vital conversation without needing to be an AI expert yourself with this fun game from Kids4Tech™. AI Odyssey: Exploring the Universe of Artificial Intelligence offers an exciting, story-driven approach: a space‑themed Google Slides journey that guides students through core concepts like how AI learns, how it helps humans, and the ethical questions…
Lunar New Year celebrations begin around the world on February 17, 2026. It is the beginning of the Year of the Horse. To celebrate, we created this fun Lunar New Year coloring page! To get your copy, just fill out the form on this page. Learn more about global Lunar New Year celebrations Allie Ogg for We Are Teachers Our coloring page is a great way to kick off a bigger unit on Lunar New Year. And you can check out some of our favorite books and activities for teaching about Lunar New Year here. What is Lunar New Year?…
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…