FoMO and the Hurry Bug are by-products of technology, connectivity and a fast-paced life. FoMO or the Fear Of Missing Out is the pervasive apprehension that others might be having rewarding experiences from which one is absent. It is driven by our most basic desire to feel connected and have a sense of belonging. FoMO…
Tips for Reaching Out To Parents, by David Cutler
Our relationship with parents can have a significant affect on our stress. These tips remind us of the importance of building rapport with parents. Avoid Doing Battle – taking notes on parent phone calls is a good practice in case you need to recall the details of a conversation (or if one took place). If…
Assuming Positive Intent
Covey in, “The Speed of Trust” says that we judge ourselves according to our intentions but we judge other people according to their behaviour and make assumptions about their intentions. The assumptions that we make impact on whether we trust them. Assuming positive intent means consciously choosing to assume that our colleagues are operating to…
Successful Parent – Teacher Conferences
Successful parent – teacher conferences are important in establishing good relationships with parents. Well planned and conducted parent – teacher conferences establish a solid foundation for a partnership that is in the student’s best interests and prevent further problems developing. Preparation is vital for effective meetings with parents. Parent – Teacher Conferences are ‘Moments of…
Efficient Email
Email is meant to make our lives easier and improving communication by being fast, easy to use and ‘stockpiling’ messages for when WE are ready to read them. However we are all too aware of the downsides of email as well. Email creates a sense of urgency and immediacy. We assume that other people have…
Back to Basics Behaviour Management, By Brendan Zischke
We have all had that one class we dread going to. In my experience with difficult classes I have found that the way a class behaves seems to “snowball”. It either becomes better or worse, depending on how you behave. Obviously the earlier you correct behaviour the better however, the tips below are aimed to…
Making 2016 Your Best Year Yet… As a Teacher
Wherever possible we try to provide useful information for all staff who work in schools, not just the teaching staff. We acknowledge that staff in other roles within the school make a huge difference and are important to the success of schools. However some areas are particularly relevant to teaching staff. This week’s Happy School…
Rules of Engagement, By Dr Rich Allen
Just as there are rules of engagement on the battlefield, there are rules of engagement in the classroom. The fight to get – and keep – student’s attention is the key to effective learning. Here are four rules to keeping students engaged in the learning process. Rule #1: Let Them Think. Learning occurs best when…
Set Up to Win, by Marie Amaro
While we all know students work better in a secure, structured, safe and supportive environment, how do we set students up to win? How do we make the boundaries clear and support students to learn when they don’t stay within those boundaries? Building a strong foundation for learning by making expectations about behaviour and work…
Efficient OR Effective? (part 2) Based on article by David King of Vue Consulting
In Part One we identified that many people confuse the issues of efficiency and effectiveness. As a result, people often fail to identify the true causes of their productivity problems and fail to solve them. We simplified the difference to… • Efficient – Doing things right • Effective – Doing the right things It is…