Once upon a time, I went to college to earn a teaching degree. I received my Bachelor of Arts in English, tried twice to get into the Master in Teaching program but didn't get in. So, I gave up and ended up working in various communications-related fields.
Although I had wanted to be a teacher, it wasn't until I was a parent that I really understood what it meant to teach through differentiation. I learned quickly that most teachers had one way of teaching, and while they spoke to differentiated learning, it was limited to the academic aspect of each child. Almost every teacher left out the social-emotional and executive-function needs of a child's development. This was not the fault of the educator, but rather an overlooked piece in the district's educational focus.
After a difficult decision to place my child in a different school district, one which emphasized social-emotional learning in its curriculum, I got to see what happens when a student is taught in a way that reflects both academic and behavioral learning. So impressed was I with the progress my child was making, I decided I needed to get back into teaching.
I became a substitute teacher, starting with the elementary grades and moving up to middle school and high school, where I discovered how much I enjoyed the challenges of teenagers. I incorporated what I knew about social-emotional learning and executive function skills, coupled with previous knowledge from raising my own child, to create a classroom environment that - although temporary - still provided meaningful engagement.
I took on every subject to substitute in, even the subject I dreaded most: math. It was because of my willingness to take risks, and my openness with students about my own shortcomings, that I became one of the high-school math department's go-to substitutes.
When I returned to college to finally complete the Master in Teaching program, everything I learned as a substitute was reinforced in the classes I took. I graduated with the full confidence that I could take on any classroom.
Of course, the Covid-19 crisis hit, but that is another story...
As a "guest teacher" (AKA "the sub") it is often a common expectation by students (and sometimes the teacher) that I am simply there temporarily to watch the class - not necessarily to teach the class. Over the years, I've accumulated a wide variety of classroom activities and strategies that help me maintain a successful classroom and engage at some level even the most reluctant of learners. It was at this time, during my deep dive into the world of Game of Thrones, I discovered my personal motto: I may not be "Mother of Dragons," but I am "Teacher of Chaos." I felt confident that I could walk into any classroom and be a teacher, not just a body double for the "real" teacher. I am, after all, in the classroom to teach.
Thus, Educ 101 started off as a stack of file folders and binders of worksheets, activities, notes, and articles that I used over the years as a substitute teacher to keep students engaged. At the start of each summer, I would put these items in a box marked "EDUC 101" until September rolled around and I would start pulling out resources I thought I would need for assignments. The box got so cluttered that it got harder to find things I knew I could use.
And so I decided to dig into the box with the intent of reorganizing, and I would try to digitize my resources to be easier to find. And easier to share. I've broken down my resources into three categories:
I've just started reorganizing my Educ 101 box-plus-five-extra-folders to make available online. Do check back often, or send me an email if you have a specific resource request. I can't guarantee I have exactly what you're looking for, but I am sure I'll have something close!
Looking for a quick lesson plan or activity to bridge two units? Or perhaps you're a substitute in need of a quick activity to take up extra time in your class? Maybe you want to know the secret to having a well-managed classroom? If you don't see what you're looking for here, send me an email and I'll see what I can do to help!
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