Blog - Page 14 of 49 - Spencer Education

Dec 27 2021

Using the SLIME Method for Setting New Year’s Resolutions

By John Spencer Podcast, Teacher Life 4 Comments

Back in college, I started making New Year’s Resolutions. I would turn these resolutions into goals. Typically, I would start something entirely new and often I would finish my goal halfway through the year. Unfortunately, I didn’t always develop the habits needed for long-term change.…

Dec 22 2021

Miss B. Saves Christmas (A Story)

By John Spencer Podcast 8 Comments

On Monday, I wrote a silly tweet: I then started to think about how that tradition would have started and immediately began typing out a story. Initially, I thought I would share it privately with the early elementary teachers in my cohort and then I…

Dec 17 2021

Finding Renewal on Your Winter Break

By John Spencer Podcast, Teacher Life 4 Comments

I wrote this post fifteen years ago as a 400 word reminder to myself to choose renewal and rest rather than work during winter break. I realize that it goes beyond the personal level. Often, the systems and structures fail to support teachers' ability to…

Dec 13 2021

Antonio Sacre on the Power of Storytelling in Education

By John Spencer Creativity, Podcast 4 Comments

I had the honor of interviewing celebrated author Antonio Sacre on the power of storytelling in education. Check out the podcast below. Listen to the Podcast If you enjoy this blog but you’d like to listen to it on the go, just click on the…

Dec 06 2021

Ending the Semester with a Student Blogging Project

By John Spencer Creativity, Literacy, Podcast, Student Choice 10 Comments

December is exhausting for teachers. The days are shorter. The weather grows colder and (at least here in Oregon) wetter. Students are anxious — whether it’s a buzzing excitement for vacation or a sense of dread that some kids feel in homes that are unsafe…

Nov 22 2021

Man with a thought bubble above him and a flow chart behind him

How to Be Proactive About Classroom Management in PBL

By John Spencer Podcast, Project-Based Learning 4 Comments

I want to make something clear before we dive into this topic. I made huge mistakes in classroom management as a teacher. I let certain disruptive behaviors go unchecked because I was tired and I didn't want to put out another fire. I had moments…

Nov 15 2021

Dwayne Reed on the importance of STEM in education

Dwayne Reed on the Power of STEM Education

By John Spencer Creativity, Podcast 2 Comments

Last week, I had the honor of interviewing Dwayne Reed (aka Mr. Reed) about the importance of STEM education. In this interview, he shared big ideas about the purpose of STEM – including 3M Science at Home – but also specific practical strategies and first…

Oct 29 2021

Teachers Need a Genius Hour, Too

By John Spencer Creativity, Professional Development, Teacher Life 5 Comments

In my hardest year of teaching, we had a toxic school culture after a leadership change. I had panic attacks in the parking lot. Eight teachers quit by December. I had a stretch of nineteen days where I had no prep period. For me, community,…

Oct 21 2021

Ask the Teachers

By John Spencer Podcast, Teacher Life No Comments

Roy Kent gets it. There's a scene in the last episode of this season's Ted Lasso where the team's game plan doesn't seem to be working. The coaches huddle together in Ted's office and debate whether they should stick with the plan or try something…

Oct 11 2021

9 Teacher-Tested Ways to Build Student Ownership into Informational Reading

By John Spencer Creativity, Podcast One Comment

When we think of choice-based reading, we often imagine silent reading with novels. However, we can take a student-centered, choice-based approach to non-fiction as well. In this article, we explore nine different areas of student empowerment within informational text reading. Listen to the Podcast If…