New Teacher Diaries
What my District 75 class has taught me
A new District 75 teacher in Queens reveals the beauty of working in a 12:1:1 setting, and shares the importance of pivoting when needed – over forcing a lesson – to allow for structured student self-regulation like deep breathing, calming music or grounding the senses.
How I found my voice in my ELL students
A Queens elementary school teacher writes of discovering their own voice along with their newcomer students' during the struggles and triumphs of their first year of teaching in this latest entry of New Teacher Diaries.
How I calculated true 'success'
An elementary school teacher shares what a math lesson taught him about a new way to measure success in this latest installment of New Teacher Diaries.
Ask and you shall receive
A new middle school teacher in the Bronx learns that her fellow teachers are willing to guide and support her when she broke down in tears in the staff lounge after an overwhelming day.
How I overcame a ‘frightful’ day
A new high school teacher shares her inner thoughts about the day teaching Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" sparked fear in her heart -- until she switched things up and helped her ELA students make modern connections to the old text.
‘Wall of silence’ cracks
I felt guilty that I was not able to understand or communicate with my pre-verbal students in District 75. I was pouring my heart and soul into lessons, only to be met with silence. The weight of these challenges pressed down on me, and depression crept in. I was lucky to have a support network to help me through.