Teaching Tips |
We wish that we could claim credit for coming up with all of these
great ideas! They are culled from many teachers' years of experience. If
you have a useful idea you would like to share, please email us (link
below). |
General Advice for Teachers:
Carpooling and Bathroom Bags |
Carpool! Don't be afraid to ask around and
find out if one of your coworkers lives nearby and wouldn't mind
picking you up, or having you pick her or him up, in exchange
for gas money ($20 a week should work). Set an example for
environmental awareness and action! |
Keep a supply of frequently-used items in
your classroom. |
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Some teachers keep a hidden tampon/pad supply. You will save
many teenage girls from panicking if you do this. A trip to the
nurse can take up an entire class period, but a trip to your
desk will take twenty seconds. |
 One teacher we know,
from a low-income school, came up with the idea of a "bathroom
bag." She filled a tote bag with spray deodorant, mouthwash,
tampons, sanitary napkins, a roll of toilet paper, and other
personal hygiene items. This saved students embarrassment
because no one knew if a student needed a tampon or was simply
worried the bathroom was out of toilet paper. The bag hung near
the door and students who wanted to use it simply carried it
with them to the lavatory. Students were so thrilled to be able
to freshen up on bathroom trips that they never abused the
privilege. |
Handling Teacher Absences |
Create and maintain a useful folder or box for
substitute teachers. Principals know that a good indication you
are doing well is when the substitute covering your class has no
complaints. We have the necessary forms under "Substitute
Teaching Emergency Kit" and "Teacher Forms." |
Make sure that your
substitute lesson plans can be carried out by
anyone. Substitute teachers generally have a
B.A., but it may not be in Advanced Physics. A
Political Science major may not recall the
structure of a story. Assume that the substitute
does not know the content of your course, and
plan accordingly. |
Your Public Persona |
Be very careful with any personal information that is
publicly accessible. If you insist on having a Facebook or
MySpace profile, keep it private and do not have an embarrassing
(or even identifiable) "profile pic." Switch around your basic
info so that students will not find you in a search. Keep an
unlisted phone number, unless you are a connoisseur of prank calls and a
toilet-papered home. If at all possible, live outside your school
district (not necessarily in a different city, but away from your
students). |
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