All posts by Dave Meyers

Going Into Hibernation

January 20, 2023News, Uncategorizedteachers, TeachersConnectComments OffDave Meyers

A copy of this note was sent to all members on January 16th.

Hello Everyone,

I’m writing with some news.

On January 27, 2023, TeachersConnect will go into hibernation for an as-yet-to-be-determined period of time. Let me break this down for you:

“Hibernation” means that The Community will not be accessible to aspiring and practicing teachers like you. When someone navigates to teachersconnect.online, instead of viewing the log in page, a message will appear that says that TeachersConnect is unavailable.
“As-yet-to-be-determined” means that we don’t know how long the site will be in hibernation. We’re looking for the right new home for The Community from among school districts or other organizations and companies that nurture aspiring and practicing teachers.

This was an extremely difficult decision. As you might imagine, running TeachersConnect is costly. It requires fantastic and highly-skilled human beings to build the technology and nurture the spirit and remarkable energy of the TeachersConnect community. Those costs were putting significant stress on the business. This week, after some thoughtful brainstorming and painful consideration, we made the decision to take the site down.

We wondered about keeping the community open without employing the humans who power it, but it’s really not an option. We hear consistently from you that one of the things you most appreciate about TeachersConnect is the safety–that you can be honest and vulnerable, sharing your victories and defeats without fear of judgment. Without the people who model and support the safety guidelines, TeachersConnect would not be TeachersConnect.

So what’s next:

At some point on or soon after January 27th, The Community will no longer be available.
We will publish 1-2 more TC Today emails with tips for making the most out of the community before the 27th.
We’ve already begun the work of looking for the right home for TeachersConnect, and we’ll continue that work in earnest over the next several months. Our goal is for the hibernation to be as brief as possible.

I’m very sorry to deliver this news. Together, you’ve made over 30,000 contributions to the TeachersConnect community! You’ve shared the keys to passing critical teacher tests, ignited new ideas for teachers and students, and given folks the motivation and impetus to return to school the next day during those moments when things felt overwhelming. You’ve brought joy and confidence to tens of thousands of educators. What a community; what an impact!

I admire you and appreciate you deeply for your work with students. We look forward to working with you again as we seek to get TeachersConnect back out to the world ASAP.

Take good care, and be in touch with me and with each other for feedback, questions, and ideas.

Dave

Community Manager: Brains and Brawn of TeachersConnect

October 4, 2021Newsamazing teachers, Community leaders, reach all learners, strategies, students, Support, teacher leaders, teachers, teaching, tipsComments OffDave Meyers

Laura Sanzone

If you’ve visited the TeachersConnect community lately, you’ve definitely benefitted from the contributions of Laura Sanzone, TeachersConnect Community Manager (CM). At the risk of “going overboard” with metaphors, the role of CM is to be triage specialist, caretaker, navigator, and pioneer. The CM uses brains and brawn to ensure that the conversations and people meet the needs of TeachersConnect members at every step of the new teacher journey: tests, licensure, the job search, and early-career classroom success.

After nine years of teaching 1^st and 3^rd grade in Maryland, Laura started teaching at Loyola University Maryland, where she taught a range of elementary methods courses and supervised teacher candidates during their teaching internships in Baltimore-area schools. Laura currently works in DC Public Schools as an Early Literacy Specialist. While she’s passionate about almost everything related to teaching, you’ll find it particularly easy to get her opinions on:

Equity issues in Education
Restorative practices as a model to grow a positive and inclusive classroom community
New teacher induction
Teacher wellness

We’ve known Laura for almost five years now, and we’re pretty sure we’re not the first educators to understand that she is an absolute powerhouse—thoughtful, analytic, committed, and unstoppable.

Welcome, Laura. We’re so glad you’ve chosen to share your approachability, energy, and straight up knowledge with the educators of TeachersConnect.

Community Leaders: Heart and Soul of TeachersConnect

September 23, 2021Newsamazing teachers, Community leaders, reach all learners, strategies, students, Support, teacher leaders, teachers, teaching, tipsComments OffDave Meyers

Get to Know Your TC Community Leaders!

Community Leaders are practicing full-time teachers who stand out as hubs of energy in the TeachersConnect (TC) community—and whose students are really freakin’ lucky to have such creative educators. Their job in TC is to ask questions, share strategies, encourage conversation, and make sure no question goes unanswered. Oh, how I wish this group was there for me for my first class of fifth graders. ?

Candace Williams

Primary grades reading specialist and certified teacher. Teacherpreneur. Influencer. Lover of all things beautiful from Detroit, Michigan. Over a decade in the classroom.

“I’m like a normal reading teacher, but much cooler. As an influencer on social media and co-talk show host on The Teachers’ Lounge Talk Show, my goal is to be an advocate for early literacy.”

Jennifer Bond

1st and 2nd grade teacher. Vlogger. Provider of “cat sanctuary.” Central Missouri. Over a decade in the classroom.

“I LOVE teaching my little pineapples and also love to connect with other teachers in person and on social media”

Melissa Clarke

Over 15 years experience teaching primary grades, talented YouTuber, Ontario, Canada.

“I’m excited to be a part of this online community and I look forward to learning a lot as well as share some of my knowledge and experiences.”

Ta’Stacia Covington

2^nd decade teaching primary grades, halfway through doctorate in Educational Leadership. North Carolina.

“I am very passionate about early education and the education of minority children.”

Wandiza Williams

Over a decade teaching upper elementary. National Board Certified in Literacy for grades 3 – 8, Bronx, NY.

“I am passionate about getting the right books in the hands of children, and turning them on to reading. In addition, I am committed to anti-racist, social justice teaching, and elevating the voices of marginalized people.”

You too can become a Community Leader!

These incredible educators became Community Leaders because of the power of their posts and the impact they make on other others in the TeachersConnect community. Join the TeachersConnect Community and be a thoughtful questioner, frequent commenter, and insightful poster, and you, too, could land the best teacher side gig out there.

Two Webinars for De-stressing You and Your Students as You Prep for the New School Year

June 30, 2020NewsCoronavirus, Covid-19, first-year teacher, learners, mindfulness, new school year, online learning, Planning, professional development, reach all learners, relax, relaxation, selfcare, strategies, students, Support, teachers, teaching, tips, yogaComments OffDave Meyers

Chill Ooouuut…

It was a tough spring and the new school year promises to continue to put teachers and learners to the test.

Breathe. Stretch. Treat yourself right. You got this…and we got YOU! Sign up today for two webinars designed to help you start the new school year with strategies for you and your students.

Webinar 1: From Chaos to Calm – Yoga and Mindfulness for You and Your Students

Using the best yoga and mindfulness tools, learn to navigate whatever the fall might look like! Kids’ yogi, recording artist, and mindfulness expert Bari Koral is beloved for her casual and fun approaches to creating peace and calm in the classroom. And for this session, she’ll be joined by Gab Lemon, a classroom teacher who’s been using the techniques with her students. She’ll share her view “from the trenches.”

Ready for something magical in your pocket, like a quick mindfulness technique to get you ready for the next class? Join us.

Want to learn a great yoga break kids love to use to burn off some energy and come right back to focus? Bari will share tools that you can incorporate instantly to help create a magical discipline in your in-person or virtual classroom. She will also share 5 techniques you can use to calm anxiety in minutes. You’ll leave with amazing new tools for your toolbox, and you’ll be ready to support your students (and yourself) when you get back to the “classroom.”

Please bring some colored markers or pencils for one of Bari’s favorite mindfulness games that can bring calm in literally seconds.

Bari Koral Gab Lemon

Join us and get a “Grab and Go” strategy to…chill.

Educators only, please: teachers, student teachers, paraprofessionals, building and district leaders.

Wednesday, July 15th, 7:00 – 8:00 EDT.

Continue reading Two Webinars for De-stressing You and Your Students as You Prep for the New School Year →

Want to Prevent Summer Melt? Put Some Passion Into It.

May 22, 2020News, Uncategorizedclassroom, Coronavirus, Covid-19, first-year teacher, middle school, online learning, Planning, professional development, strategies, Support, teacher, teachersComments OffDave Meyers

“Passion Projects and Genius Hour”

Join us for the final session of this spring’s open mic webinar series.

If any of these statements could have come from your lips, join us and get a “Grab and Go” strategy to uncover your students’ passions and develop their skills.

“I’ve got to keep the kids engaged right to the end.”

“Parents are asking me for ways to keep the learning going over the summer.”

“I’m afraid that #learnfromhome is still in our future. I need some fresh ways for kids to follow their own interests AND stick with the curriculum–so I can be the best version of me next year.”

Continue reading Want to Prevent Summer Melt? Put Some Passion Into It. →

“I want the learning to be social.”

May 4, 2020News, Uncategorizedclassroom, Coronavirus, Covid-19, first-year teacher, middle school, online learning, Planning, professional development, strategies, Support, teacher, teachersComments OffDave Meyers

Q: How do I design virtual assignments that get my kids working together?

A: Teachers have answers…and they’re “steppin’ to the mic” to share them. Join us for “Grab and Go” strategies for your classroom.

“Collaborative Work for Distance Learning”

Join us for Session 4 in our Open Mic webinar series.

Register now and add some collaboration, interaction, and FUN to boost your online teaching repertoire and increase student participation.

Continue reading “I want the learning to be social.” →

Reaching Every Learner During School Closures

April 30, 2020NewsCoronavirus, Covid-19, first-year teacher, learners, online learning, Planning, professional development, reach all learners, strategies, students, Support, teachers, teaching, tipsComments OffDave Meyers

“I MUST reach all my students.”

In the midst of a global pandemic teachers are desperate to reach students with limited access to technology and students with specific learning needs.

TeachersConnect brought together four powerful teacher experts to share how they’re currently doing it. Each teacher shared activities and techniques they’re using with their students every day–and then took questions from the audience to help them take the technique to their own classrooms. In the words of one attendee:

“You just made my teaching day…I can do this!”

See the highlight video below, or login at https://www.teachersconnect.online/ to view the entire webinar series for free.

Continue reading Reaching Every Learner During School Closures →

Coronavirus Rx for Ed Open Mic Sessions 3 and 4

April 19, 2020News, Uncategorizedclassroom, Coronavirus, Covid-19, first-year teacher, middle school, online learning, Planning, professional development, strategies, Support, teacher, teachersComments OffDave Meyers

There are two questions we keep hearing from teachers:

How do I reach every learner?
How do I plan lessons and activities that require students to work collaboratively?

Teachers have answers…and they’re “steppin’ to the mic” to share them. Join us for “Grab and Go” strategies for your classroom.

Session 3: “Reaching Every Learner”

English Language Learners
Students with IEPs and other special needs
Students with limited access to technology
Students experiencing depression, trauma, or a lack of motivation

Session 4: “Collaborative Projects for Distance Learning”

Register now if you’ve been wondering how to design assignments and activities that require students to work together–and from a distance.

Continue reading Coronavirus Rx for Ed Open Mic Sessions 3 and 4 →

Coronavirus Rx for Ed Session 2: Generating Engagement and Motivation when Learning is Online–and Sometimes Optional

April 2, 2020News, Uncategorizedclassroom, Coronavirus, Covid-19, first-year teacher, middle school, online learning, Planning, professional development, strategies, Support, teacher, teachersComments OffDave Meyers

You Might Be Asking:

How do you keep your students focused, motivated, and engaged when assignments are optional and “class” is online?

The Solution:

Collaborate. Share. Ask. Validate. From a safe distance:-)

Continue reading Coronavirus Rx for Ed Session 2: Generating Engagement and Motivation when Learning is Online–and Sometimes Optional →

Coronavirus Rx for Ed Session 1: A Live Webinar Series and Educator Community to Keep the Learning Going

March 25, 2020News, Uncategorizedclassroom, Coronavirus, Covid-19, first-year teacher, middle school, online learning, Planning, professional development, strategies, Support, teacher, teachersComments OffDave Meyers

Right now…

…you’re being pulled in all directions: be flexible, be creative, be resilient, support students and families (take care of yours), and be a masterful online teacher.

You Might Be Asking:

What’s an educator to do in this Coronavirus moment with a whole new set of demands?

The Solution:

Collaborate. Share. Ask. Validate. From a safe distance.

Continue reading Coronavirus Rx for Ed Session 1: A Live Webinar Series and Educator Community to Keep the Learning Going →

Laura Sanzone

Get to Know Your TC Community Leaders!

Candace Williams

Jennifer Bond

Melissa Clarke

Ta’Stacia Covington

Wandiza Williams

You too can become a Community Leader!

Chill Ooouuut…

Webinar 1: From Chaos to Calm – Yoga and Mindfulness for You and Your Students

Q: How do I design virtual assignments that get my kids working together?

A: Teachers have answers…and they’re “steppin’ to the mic” to share them. Join us for “Grab and Go” strategies for your classroom.

“I MUST reach all my students.”

There are two questions we keep hearing from teachers:

How do I reach every learner?

How do I plan lessons and activities that require students to work collaboratively?

Teachers have answers…and they’re “steppin’ to the mic” to share them. Join us for “Grab and Go” strategies for your classroom.

Session 3: “Reaching Every Learner”

Session 4: “Collaborative Projects for Distance Learning”

You Might Be Asking:

The Solution:

Right now…

You Might Be Asking:

The Solution: