This post is an adaptation of the final for a class I am taking through Rutgers University. In the realm of clinical psychology there are two prevailing types of psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Psychodynamic Therapy (PDT). When people
Sharpen Your Saw
It is summer and I have been spending a lot of time working on myself. Many people have years that run from January 1st to December 31st. As a teacher my year runs from September 1st to September 1st. Furthermore,
Gratitude and Thanksgiving
As someone who is interested in maintaining my own happiness while balancing a challenging job as a STEM teacher, Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum writer, father of two beautiful girls, and husband to an amazing wife (who is also a teacher
State Standards for Social Emotional Learning?
I just read a post from Education Week about 8 states writing standards for Social Emotional Learning (SEL) with another 11 being able to use the materials that are produced. I have mixed emotions about this. On one hand, institutions are
Transfer in Social Emotional Learning
I have been thinking a lot of about the idea of transfer in Social Emotional Learning (SEL). I first came across the idea of transfer as a part of education when I started by Master’s in Education at Hamline University.
Social Emotional Learning During Breaks
When I go on breaks, Spring Break, Winter Break, etc I genuinely miss my homeroom students. We share each other’s lives on a daily basis and we have true community. So over summer break I struggle with missing my students
Belief Systems and Social Emotional Learning
As a blogger, I read a lot of other blogs. I love Edutopia and there is a blog post there by Elena Aguilar that really challenged me to think about belief systems and their role in how teachers might approach
Presidential Debate Silver Linings
The Silver Lining of Presidential Debates If you’re like me you are ready to be done with the debates, town halls, commercials, and rhetoric but I would like to offer a silver lining. We can talk about how the candidates
Women’s History Month
March is Women’s History Month, and the Library of Congress has a fantastic series of primary source documents that can serve as a springboard for meaningful homeroom discussions. For the main website, go here. In my own homeroom, I’m excited
Mid-Year Check-in 2016
As February turns and we are in the middle of the long stretch between Winter Break and Spring Break it is a good time to take stock of where your homeroom community is. If your community is strong, great. I