What to Bring to a Teacher Interview

When thinking about what to bring to a teacher interview, I will always suggest bringing a teaching portfolio. Though it might not be required, or won’t even possibly come up, in the chance it does, you’re ready! Plus, you can use your portfolio to share specific work and examples, which is always a plus when answering interview questions. 

Here are just a few suggestions of what you might want to include within your teacher portfolio:

  • Cover letter (minimum 5 copies)

Read More
Kayla Durkin
What to Wear for a Teacher Interview

When thinking about what to wear for a teacher interview, it’s important to dress for success. We want to wear something that we feel confident and comfortable in, but also something that is going to help us look presentable and fit to be a teacher. There are a few things that it’s important to make sure we don’t wear to a teacher interview as well, such as

Read More
Kayla Durkin
5 Teacher Tasks to Complete for a Stress Free Winter Break

You did it! You are officially just a few days away from Christmas break and that means you’re about halfway through the school year, which is absolutely crazy! Did you think you’d even make it this far? I’m sure some of you didn’t.

Today we are talking about what to do before you head off on break so that you can enjoy the time off, hang out with your family, do whatever you want to do, and just enjoy life. And hey, I am t

Read More
Kayla Durkin
7 Affordable Gift Ideas Students Will Actually Love

When you think about buying gifts for your students, your holiday spirit may take us straight to the toy aisle. But when each typical toy ranges from 5-10 dollars on the low end, big dreams sometimes don’t make it too far. Don’t let hefty price tags kill your holiday joy! There are ways to think outside the box and make sure every one of your students feels loved and special this holiday season. These 7 budget-friendly gift ideas can be twisted to work for any classroom, making sure your wallet and your students stay happy.

Read More
Kayla Durkin
10 Practical Teacher Tips for Surviving this Holiday Season

Ready or not, the holiday season is here!

December can be an overwhelming time for many teachers. From the end of year tasks that need to be finished up to finding time for holiday shopping and family gatherings, it’s a lot!

Let’s be proactive during these next few weeks so that you can stay on top of your to-do list and feel your best during these last few weeks of school!

Read More
Kayla Durkin
Teacher Batching Part 3: Five Simple Ways You Can Save Time Grading


Would you rather have someone do all of your lesson planning or all of your grading? How about taking your recess duties for the week or taking over your grading for the week? Or, would you rather have someone make a difficult phone call home or do a day's worth of grading for you?

Today, we are covering part three in our three-part series which has been all about how you can cut down on your planning and prep time and stick to your contracted hours by using a little hack I like to call, “Teacher Batching.”

Read More
Kayla Durkin
Teacher Batching Part 2: How to Define Your Goals and Use Your Time Efficiently

As classroom teachers, our plates are always full and it seems nearly impossible to get caught up in our ongoing to-do list. With limited time and growing responsibilities, no task ever seems to be quite finished, and tasks always seem to take much longer than they should.

As a first-year teacher, I was trying to do every single thing, every single day. Grading, planning, making copies... it was all happening on a daily basis and I really was just surviving day by day.

I got to school nearly an hour before the day began, always stayed at least an hour late, took school home nightly, and came in on the weekends. But it really wasn’t a big deal, because we get summers off. Haha, just kidding. It really wasn’t a big deal though because I was wholeheartedly invested in doing whatever I possibly could for my students.

Read More
Shayla Cone
Teacher Batching: 5 Ways to Optimize Prep Time and Stick to Contracted Hours

Today I am hoping to make all of your teacher dreams come true by sharing simple tips you can use that will help you optimize your prep time and stick to your contracted hours. As a teacher, we want to do all the things and we all know that just because we aren’t physically at school, doesn’t mean we aren’t thinking of school. From lesson plans to grading, to thinking about our students, our minds are always on teaching, especially as a first or second-year teacher. These 5 tips will teach you a simple way to organize your life and how to be better with time management so you can live your best life, both in the classroom and outside of school.

Read More
Kayla Durkin
Fall Middle School Math Activities

🍂 •  H A P P Y • F A L L • Y A ‘ L L • 🍂

The weather is getting cooler, the leaves are starting to change colors, and the days are getting shorter. Most teachers and students have went back to school, watching football on the weekend is back in full swing, and fall activities are beginning.

As we kick off the fall season, that also means fall testing and fall break is coming. To help make things a bit easier

Read More
7 Tips to Help with Student Led Conferences and Parent Teacher Conference

Conferences can be stressful, but they don’t have to be! I’ve got 7 tips to help you be successful at your conference, no matter the situation.

Somehow I blinked and suddenly it’s October and conference season is upon us! For some schools, conferences already happened, for others, it’s still a ways away. One year, our school decided to have conferences in September, and honestly, I loved it! It was such a great way to continue building relationships with families since we had just seen the

Read More
What to Keep in Your Student Teacher Bag

I am so happy that you are here! If you don’t already know it, this is truly one of the most exciting times in your life educational life!! During this season, you are more than likely filled with anticipation and excitement about what is next to come for you!

You’ve heard it before, and you’ll hear it again, but becoming a teacher is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling things a person can do. However, it’s okay to be nervous, worried, anxious, or scared as well. I mean, come 'on. If being responsible or 25 tiny humans doesn’t scare you even just a little bit, then you must be a superhero!

Read More
Kayla Durkin
How to Have a Lasting First Impression While Student Teaching

Whether you’re getting ready to student teach or you’re already going through your student teaching experience, this student teacher advice will surely help you make a lasting first impression and so that you get that student teacher recommendation letter. Since I’m not sure where you are in your teaching experience, we are going to take a step back and begin with what happens as soon as you find our where your placement is.

Read More
Tips for Student Teaching

I am so happy that you are here! If you don’t already know it, this is truly one of the most exciting times in your life educational life!! During this season, you are more than likely filled with anticipation and excitement about what is next to come for you!

You’ve heard it before, and you’ll hear it again, but becoming a teacher is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling things a person can do. However, it’s okay to be nervous, worried, anxious, or scared as well. I mean, come 'on. If being responsible or 25 tiny humans doesn’t scare you even just a little bit, then you must be a superhero!

Read More
Kayla Durkin
Building Positive Relationships at Work

Hey everyone! Today blog post is one that was highly requested for first year teacher and one that is so crucial for a positive job experience. Whether you are student teaching, a first year teacher, or you’ve been teaching for a while, this is an aspect of the workplace that is a constant. Sometimes, we get super lucky and are surrounded by the most wonderful and easy-going coworkers, which can really make your days as a teacher that much better.

Read More
Recognizing Anxiety in Students

Unless you’re living under a rock, you’re probably very aware that there has been a lot going on in the world lately. Because of this, I thought it would be appropriate to talk about recognizing anxiety in students.

Recognizing signs of anxiety in students is a topic that is near and dear to my heart and I know it’s so important for all educators to hear.

Before we get started though, let’s take a few minutes and do some reflecting.

Reflecting on Signs of Anxiety

Over the next few minutes you’re going to be reading a series of questions. If you have paper and a pencil near by, feel free to grab it that you can write your responses down. It will be great to be able to look back on your answers when we are do

Read More
Teacher Truths: Being Fearless in 2021

To the teacher who is reading this,

I’m just going to cut to the chase before I chicken out.

Have I told you my “One Word” yet?

It’s FEARLESS.

If I’m being honest, I haven’t been very fearless lately.

As much as I smile and keep on keepin’ on, there are a lot of things that I fear.

Ready to hear a few?

Read More
Kayla Durkin
Three Tips for Back to School After Christmas Break

Three Tips for Back to School After Christmas Break

You’ve been off for almost two weeks and it’s time to go back to school after winter break! Your students miss you like crazy, they're excited to see you, see their friends, and kick off another new year.

Whether you’re going back to school virtually or in-person, I have three tips for you today that are going to help you kick off the second half of the school year in the right way.


1. Build

Read More
Kayla Durkin
Teacher Tip Tuesday : Teacher Interview Tips

Treat Every Day Like an Interview

What if I told you that as soon as you walk into your classroom today, your interview for your dream job starts; AND it's going to last all day.

You might already be anxiously thinking "I can't wait for this to be over" - but wait! Isn't every day we show up to our classrooms technically an interview? When you're a student teacher, everything you do is being evaluated not only by your peers but by the students as well. It is imperative that when you roll up to the school building in the morning, coffee in hand, that you shift your mindset to acknowledging that today is an interview for your dream job. Making good and lasting impressions are key to success, and this is your day to impress!

Read More