TEACHERS Fall 2024Professional and Personal Learning for Educators by EducatorsNEED TEACHERSBACKTOSCHOOLEDITION
EKCKelly MillerFounder and Chief CuratorJeff Peyton & Melissa EdwardsVal YoungDream BoardingMerideth Myers, Ed.S.Financial FreedomVisual SupportsOur educatorsPlay LanguageMeg CloeteSketch-Noting21st Century SkillsCindy BrockwayThe ResetRestorative PracticesAmber SchmidtComprehension: Read AloudSybil Hall & Jen SullivanTERA ModelChristy El JerbyKenny PeavyRegenerative EducationLearning StyleJennifer WrightSybil Hall
From the Founder andChief Curator1At Teachers Need Teachers, we believe thatlearning is a journey that goes beyond theclassroom. Our mission is to help educators growprofessionally and personally, and this magazinedoes just that. Thirteen passionate educators have sharedresources you can use in your classroom or foryour own self-development. These are gifts,made to inspire and equip you as you continuemaking a difference.There’s so much to explore—take your time anddive into the articles, or simply browse theheadlines and images to see what catches youreye. You’re welcome to revisit the magazineoften, as new insights can spark fresh ideas everytime. And don’t forget to share it with yourcolleagues because this is a resource built for allof us.We hope this magazine gives you the tools,inspiration, and encouragement you need to startthe school year strong. You’ve got this, and we’rehere to support you every step of the way.Thank you for all you do. Let’s make this schoolyear one to remember!Welcome to the Teachers Need TeachersDigital Magazine. I’m so glad you’re here.Inside, you’ll find a rich collection ofarticles, videos, and resources, all carefullycurated to support both your teaching andyour personal growth. Whether it’s DreamBoarding, Financial Freedom, VisualSupports, or Sketch-Noting, there’ssomething here for every educator.We’ve also included thoughtful strategieson 21st-Century Skills, RestorativePractices, Read-Aloud Comprehension, andthe TERA Model, plus so much more. Eacharticle or video comes with a free resourceto help you take action and connect with theeducators who created it.Sybil HallBest Selling Author & Educator
2In the quest to create nurturing and effective learning environments, educators are turning toinnovative methods that address both academic and emotional challenges. The Play Projectintroduces a transformative approach through Play Language, offering a healing touch toclassrooms worldwide.Join us! Together, we can redefine the learning culture through kindness, creativity, and play. Let's create apositive and transformative learning experience in your classroom. +123-456-7890 reallygreatsite.com hello@reallygreatsite.comPlay, essential for humanwell-being, is endangered.Play deprivation threatenschildren's learning spaces,causing: Mental health problemsScreen addictionLearning antipathy Weak thinking skillsTeacher burnoutHEALSEMPOWERS• Rekindle learningenthusiasm, reduce screendependency• Improve mental healththrough play-centeredcommunication• Renew teacher passion andsatisfaction• Reach the whole child withempathy, creativity, resilience• Spark: inspiredcommunication• Use The Hinge, our hands-onutility for Play Language • Activate: any subject orlesson • Empower: adults andchildren• Elicit: individual self-expression• Strengthen: relationships TRANSFORMSTHE PLAY PROJECT: Kindness, Creativity, Communication PLAYLANGUAGE...Click here to grab your freebie
Embrace theHealing Power ofPlay Language3breakthrough experience, relieving burnout, andenhancing creativity. It allows educators to setthings in motion, leveraging the energy andenthusiasm of students to fuel learningmomentum.Play language also bridges the gap betweenhome and school, providing parents with non-threatening tools to encourage their child'slearning and reinforce their role as their child'sfirst teacher.Get Started in Play LanguageThe Play Project is recruiting educators to testdrive Play Language or participate in our one-hour “Thursday Night Lights” Zoom meeting.Join our FB Group here. By becoming a part of this mission, you will:- Collaborate with individuals open to exploringthe promise of play- -Explore the benefits of Play Language(‘Puppetools’) and its impact on classroomdynamics- Receive free access to our comprehensivecourse, equipping you with tools to fullyimplement Play Language in your instruction.BY: JEFF PEYTON & MELISSA EDWARDSThe Essence of Play LanguagePlay language acts as a form ofenergy capable of addressing awide range of social and educationalchallenges. It serves as a first-aid kit forissues such as negative behavior, lowmotivation, and distraction. By incorporatingplay-centered communication, educators cancaptivate and create a positive emotionalspace that enhances learning anddevelopment.Healing Through PlayThe power of play extends beyond mereengagement; it is a profound healing force.Play language fosters essential skills such asempathy, self-regulation, and activelistening. It transforms classrooms intoinclusive spaces where students feel safe toexplore and express themselves. Thisapproach not only mitigates stress andshyness but also encourages resilience andcreativity, laying the foundation for a positivelearning culture.The Impact on Teachers and FamiliesFor teachers, Play Language offers a
Click here to grab your freebieThis video shows the thinking process from astudent's perspective whilst sketch-noting. Itdemonstrates how with drawing and makingvisible connections we can deepen ourunderstanding and learning. I can often hearstudents saying "Ah, now I see!", or "Oh thisis just like _____!" By making thinking andlearning visible with icons and keywords, weare able to SEE. We must be able to SEE to beable to UNDERSTAND. 4Sketchnoting is a way to make thinking andlearning visual. By drawing what we know orlearn, we are 2X more likely to remember it!Sketchnoting can be used as a strategy forcreating visuals in your classroom, as well as atool for recording learning for your students.You don’t have to be an artist to createmeaningful, engaging, and memorable sketchnotes!Sketch-NotingBY: MEG CLOETEVISUAL NOTE TAKING
5did you know thatdrawing can lead todeeper understanding?
the 21st Century Learning Skillsin project based learningSix 21st Century Learning Skills:CollaborationCreativity & InnovationCritical Thinking Communication &PresentationSelf-management Resilience (or grit)The 21st Century Learning Skills are central to Project Based Learning because they teach studentsthe skills they need to thrive in the world we live in today. More than just having content knowledge, students now need to stand independently as problemsolvers, innovators and collaborators with strong communication skills and the ability to bounceback from failure.The 21st Century Learning Skills are central to ProjectBased Learning because they teach students the skillsthey need to thrive in the world we live in today. More than just having content knowledge, students nowneed to stand independently as problem solvers,innovators and collaborators with strong communicationskills and the ability to bounce back from failure.BY VAL YOUNG6
how do we teachthe 21st centurylearning skills?In PBL, students engage in a hands-on, collaborativeprocess to investigate and respond to complex questions,problems, or challenges. The 21st Century Learning Skillsequip them with the tools they need to solve the problem orcarry out the investigation. They are competencies that need to be explicitly taught sothat the students know what it looks like and what will beexpected of them. Students also need to understand theirown ability within that skill as well as what they can do to getbetter at it. Want to know more?Click here to grab your freebie176 tips to get startedDedicate a lesson to each skillSet a mini challenge for students to completeUse a skill rubricEmploy metacognitive talk about the task and the skillEncourage self and peer-evaluation Set targets with your studentsClick the link for a full teaching guide on the skill ofcollaboration. The pack includes done for you lesson plans, rubrics forevery grade K-12, examples of what collaboration looks likeat every grade level plus a student booklet with self-evaluation and target setting.
BY CINDY BROCKWAYVIRTUAL DREAM BOARDFOR TEACHERSDREAM BOARD FOR KIDS ZENFlowInteractive DreamBoard Experience8Harmonize goals with inner peace-affirmations, Bible verses, reflections,and nature connections to guide you. A collection of carefully curated,printable images designed to helpstudents visualize their dreams and goals.
With the Dream Board Essentials Pack, students can visualize the goals they wantto achieve, the skills they want to develop, and the person they aspire to be.Rediscover your passions,align your personal andprofessional goals, andfoster a deeper sense ofinner peace.Kids &Adultsversions includedClick here to grab your freebies9
10The start of this year has made me reflect on my first year of teaching. Like many brand-newteachers, classroom management was my biggest hurdle. I remember a day my principal came toobserve and the students were really out of hand (one of them came out of the bathroom holding achunk of the toilet seat) and I knew my feedback was not going to be great.I am not comfortable with not-great feedback. So I asked my dad, a psychologist, for his bestadvice. He lent me a book, Notching Up the Nurtured Heart Approach: The New Inner Wealth Initiative forTeachers by Howard Glasser and Melissa Lynn Block, which I am not affiliated with, but dorecommend. This book changed everything.Most schools have a clear behavior plan, especially for behavior that requires parent contact or willsend a student to the principal's office.But what about all those times students are just off-task? Talking out? Distracted? Poking theirneighbors? What about those little misbehaviors that are technically breaking a rule but don’t reallyconstitute a sign-in. BY MERIDETH MYERS, ED.S.My Favorite ClassroomManagement StrategyWelcome back to school!
When I see distractingbehavior, all I say is, “Name,reset” and I keep right onteaching. This saves you fromdramatic death stares orpausing the whole lesson to“wait for everyone to beready”. The class can flow on,the student’s misbehavior istopped, and they get theopportunity to refocus. Resets aren’t that punitive, soit rarely triggers a powerstruggle. On the occasion thatI’ve given a reset and a studentdoesn’t do it, I will float bytheir desk at the nextconvenient chance and saysomething to the effect of,“You can reset now or you canThe ones that cause you to getreally tired of stopping whatyou are doing to go over thereand get on to students?As explained by Glasser andBlock (2011), a reset is a low-energy, high-effect move thatwill quickly stop students'misbehavior and get themreengaged in the lesson.All it involves is them puttingtheir head down and countingto ten. Or to five in primarygrades. Or to twenty if youwant. Doesn’t matter. They puttheir head on their desk, countsilently, and then when theyget to the number, they pop back up and get back to work.reset at recess.” This hasworked every time. I don’t havesuggestions for what to donext because I have not yetmet a kid who didn’t see thebenefit in compliance at thispoint.Like every effective procedure,you have to teach them what todo and practice it.I hope you have an amazingschool year. Wherever you are,know that I am cheering youon. I present to you myfavorite answer: the reset.Click here to join the conversation11
RestorativePractices12Trauma-informed care is a human servicesapproach that recognizes and responds to thesigns, symptoms, and risks of trauma. It alsofocuses on how trauma can impact anindividual's life and what can be done to helpthat individual. One of the ways to have atrauma-informed care approach in the schoolsetting is the use of Restorative Practices.Restorative Practices is a social science thatstudies how to build social capital and achievesocial discipline through participatory learningand decision-making. BY AMBER SCHMIDT & PATHWAYS TO INCLUSIVE EDUCATIONWhat?Click here to grab your resource
13Social Discipline windowWhy?It’s about being an amazing human to all!How? Who?Join Amber Schmidt’s (consultant with Pathways to Inclusive Education)session on “Trauma Informed Care Through the Lens of Restorative Practices”at the virtual SENIA conference Nov 22-24, 2024. Sign up here.
Nurture your financial well-being, stress less, live more.14As educators, you give so much of yourself toyour students and your work, but it’s just asimportant to take care of your own well-being—starting with your finances. When money stressbuilds up, it affects your energy, focus, andoverall happiness. But there’s a way to breakfree from that burden.Nurturing your financial well-being isn’t justabout numbers or cutting back; it’s aboutcreating peace of mind and the freedom to livethe life you deserve. Imagine feeling confidentabout your financial future—knowing that youhave a plan in place to manage expenses, buildsavings, and invest in yourself. That sense ofsecurity allows you to stress less, focus more onwhat truly matters, and enjoy your life to thefullest.By taking small steps toward financial fitness,like creating a budget that works for yourlifestyle or tackling debt one manageable stepat a time, you’ll start to see the difference. You’llfeel lighter, more empowered, and ready toembrace both your personal and professionallife with renewed energy.You already know how to care for others—nowit’s time to care for yourself. Invest in yourfinancial well-being and see how it transformsnot only your bank account but also your peaceof mind. Stress less, live more, and rediscoverthe joy in teaching and in life!BY SYBIL HALL
15The Financial Freedom Essentials Bundle provides teachers with the vital tools needed to gaincontrol over their money. From budgeting to debt payoff strategies, this bundle is designed toempower educators to manage their finances with confidence and clarity, giving them peace ofmind while focusing on their passion for teaching.D E B T S N O W B A L L C A L C U L A T O RL I M I T I N GB E L I E F SW O R K B O O K5 0 / 3 0 / 2 0 W O R K B O O KF A M I L Y B U D G E T P L A N N E RW E A L T HA F F I R M A T I O N C A R D SClick here to grab your bundle
How might we planfor Read Aloud andShared Reading withthe reading rope inmind?16
Read-Aloud ComprehensionPlannerSIGN UP FOR THE LATEST ONINTERNATIONAL SCHOOL LITERACY andGRAB YOUR PLANNER!The world of literacy is changing fast, andEKC's newsletter offers ideas to implement,resources to lean on, and ways to empoweryour readers! Click here to grab your planner17
Leveraging the TERA Model to IncreasePsychological Safety and Engagement in Teams18critical thinking, emotional regulation, empathy,and making connections with others.The Amygdala: This part of the brain acts asa “guard dog,” constantly scanning forthreats and triggering our fight, flight,freeze, or fawn responses when it perceivesdanger. The amygdala doesn’t differentiatebetween a physical threat, like a tiger, andsocial threats, like feeling unheard in ameeting.For critical thinking and collaboration to occur,we need our prefrontal cortex engaged and ouramygdala at ease. How do we accomplish this?The TERA Quotient: A Framework forPsychological SafetyMichael Bungay Stanier in his book, The AdviceTrap, compiled a meta-analysis of theneuroscience of engagement and developed theTERA Quotient, which measures factors thatinfluence psychological safety. A higher TERAQuotient indicates a safer, more engaged brain.TERA stands for:Tribe: Are you with me or against me?Expectation: Do I know what is about tohappen, or not?Rank: Are you more or less important thanme?Autonomy: Do I have a say in what happens, ornot?BY: CHRISTY EL JERBYTeams need psychological safety and trust tocollaborate effectively. In "The FiveDysfunctions of a Team," Patrick Lencioniidentifies the absence of trust as the firstdysfunction that teams must address. SimonSinek emphasizes this by stating, “A team isnot a group of people that work together. Ateam is a group of people that trust eachother.”However, trust is built on a foundation ofpsychological safety. As Amy Edmondson,Harvard Business Professor, defines it:“Psychological safety is a belief that one willnot be punished or humiliated for speaking upwith ideas, questions, concerns, or mistakes.”Google’s research project, Aristotle,discovered that the most important predictorof a team’s effectiveness is psychologicalsafety. So, how can we increasepsychological safety within our teams?Understanding the Brain’s Role inPsychological SafetyTo foster psychological safety, it's essential tounderstand how our brain processes socialinteractions. Two key parts of the brain areinvolved: the prefrontal cortex and theamygdala.The Prefrontal Cortex: Often called the “wiseold owl” of the brain, is responsible for
19Strategies to Raise the TERA Quotient in MeetingsTo enhance psychological safety and trust, consider these strategies to elevate each aspectof the TERA Quotient during meetings:Tribe: Foster a sense of belonging by co-creating guiding documents such as missionstatements, vision, meeting norms, and working agreements. Additionally, startingmeetings with inclusions allow for team members to know what is important to eachmember on a personal and professional level. Including everyone in this processes helpsbuild connections, and reveals shared values.1.Expectation: Reduce uncertainty by providing detailed agendas in advance. ClearMeeting Norms and Working Agreements set the stage for expected behaviors, andprotocols ensure that the processes of collaboration and decision making are understood.2.Rank: Foster a more horizontal team structure by actively involving all members inproblem-solving, ideation, and decision-making processes. Zaretta Hammondemphasizes that “structured protocols can help ensure equitable participation,” whichreinforces a culture of trust in the team's collective problem-solving abilities. Providefeedback that is non-judgmental and avoids unsolicited advice, opting instead for acuriosity-driven coaching approach. Additionally, acknowledge and celebrate the uniqueskills each team member brings to the table.3.Autonomy: Empower team members by allowing them to have a voice in decisions thataffect them. This can be achieved by using decision-making frameworks that includeinput from all members, enhancing their sense of control and investment in the outcomes.4.By consciously raising the TERA Quotient, leaders can create an environment wherepsychological safety thrives, enabling trust to flourish and teams to work together moreeffectively.Click here for a free TERA-aligned agenda
Click here to join the conversation20Teaching & learningthat heals andrestores
The Core Principles of Regenerative EducationRegenerative education centers on three coreprinciples: connection to Self, connectionwith Others, and connection to Nature. Eachprinciple is key to creating a balanced andintegrated learning experience. 1. Connection to Self -Emotional Intelligence -Mindfulness and Reflection -Growth Mindset2 Connection to Others -Collaborative Learning -Social Responsibility -Cultural Awareness3. Connection to Nature -Plant-Based Education -Experiential Learning -Environmental Awareness -Systems ThinkingRegenerative education offers a pathway forpreparing students to thrive in a complex,interconnected world. By embracing holisticdevelopment, systems thinking, sustainability,and community engagement, we can createlearning environments that equip studentswith the knowledge and skills while inspiringthem to be proactive, compassionate GlobalCitizens. As we face unprecedentedchallenges and opportunities, regenerativeeducation gives us a framework for nurturinga more resilient and equitable future.Regenerative Education21BY KENNY PEAVYWhat is Regenerative Education?Regenerative education goes beyond thetypical focus on academic achievement toembrace student well-being, environmentalstewardship, and community engagement. Itdraws on regenerative design principlesemphasizing systems that restore, renew, andrevitalize their surroundings. The goal is tocreate learning environments where studentsgrow harmoniously with nature and society. As discussed in Education is Connection andRelationship, I imagine an ecosystem ofpractices emphasizing deeper understanding,connection, and relationship with oneself,others (community), and our surroundings(nature). While many schools and teachersalready incorporate these ideas, they’re oftenaught in isolation. Students need to see, feel,and experience these connections to internalizetheir value and truly learn.Teaching and Learning that Heals and RestoresIn a rapidly changing world where traditionaleducation models struggle to keep up withsocietal and environmental shifts, a newapproach is emerging: RegenerativeEducation. This vision for learning aligns withprinciples of sustainability, resilience, andholistic development. For educators andparents preparing students for a future filledwith challenges and opportunities,understanding regenerative education iscrucial.
225 Reasons forTeachers to 'Totally'Ace Their StudentsLearning Styles ThisSeptemberWe all know the drill: back-to-school season arrives, and withit, the usual lineup oficebreakers, “getting to knowyou” surveys, and theinevitable learning styleinventory. Yawn, right? Middleschool students tend to agree.But what if I told you there’s away to turn this all-too-familiarroutine into something thatgets kids excited? That’s right—there’s a new way to makethe start of the school year feelfresh, fun, and full of positivetransformation. Enter theColour-By-Number LearningStyle Inventory, wherecreativity, gamified learning,and genuine self-discoverycome together in one simpleyet powerful activity.Here are five reasons thisgame-changing tool will totallytransform your back-to-schoolroutine, taking it frompredictable to positivelyunforgettable.1. More Engaging Than aStandard SurveyAn element of playfulness,allows students to expressthemselves through color whilestill collecting meaningful data. 2. Gamified FunBringing that retro vibe into theclassroom helps build instantrapport with students. 3. Promotes Self-DiscoveryThis survey goes beyond“What’s your favorite subject?”to questions that are quirky,creative, and sometimessurprising, so you’ll get richerinsights into your students’minds. 4. Classroom Ready—EvenBilingual Ones! English and French included5. Builds ConnectionThis inventory not only helpsstudents learn aboutthemselves but also sparksconversations amongclassmates as they comparetheir color schemes andlearning styles. BY JENNIFER WRIGHTWith a Majorly 90s Vibe!
23Why It’s a Total Game-ChangerThis color-by-number learning style inventory is more than yourusual back-to-school activity—it’s a transformation tool. It swapsout the stale, usual surveys for an interactive, engagingexperience that helps students discover something new aboutthemselves. And it equips teachers with real insights they can useto personalize learning and build stronger classroomconnections.Back-to-school doesn’t have to feel like a repeat of the same oldroutines. With this gamified, creative tool, you’re setting thestage for a year of positive engagement, personalized teaching,and empowered students who feel excited to learn. Now, isn’tthat the kind of transformation we’re all aiming for?Grab your learning style inventory here
TEACHER-CURATEDFAVSINCREASE INDEPENDENCE VISUAL SUPPORTSEach year, we consult with international teachers who want practical visual supports to increase theindependence of learners who need individualized accommodations. The National Standards Projectidentifies established evidence-based practices for Autistic learners. These tried-and-true strategieswill support ALL learners in your classroom and make your day as a teacher more efficient. VISUAL SCHEDULESSELF-MANAGEMENT STRATEGIESBY: KELLYMILLER24
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Click here to join us!26FREE WORKSHOPS - OCTOBEROct 2- Living Your Educator Dreamswith Sybil HallOct 7 - Gamified Learning withJennifer WrightOct 11 - Cooperative Learning in theClassroom with Penelope ParejaOct 24 - Protecting Your Identity with Cindy BrockmanJOIN OUR COMMUNITY!Connect with like-minded educatorsAttend free workshops or watch the replaysShare and grow the whole you in a warmand safe communityWant to dive deeper? Join the Teachers NeedTeachers community, where you can connect withincredible educators and access free workshops,engaging conversations, coffee talks, and theexclusive Burn Bright, Not Out Course. You'll alsounlock a wealth of resources, including libraries ofeducator-written books, podcasts, and FacebookGroups. It’s the perfect place to connect and growprofessionally and personally together.Join us in...TeachersNeedTeachersSkool