Zach Paul

One of the most difficult tasks a teacher is faced with is trying to balance holding all students to high expectations, while also remaining flexible and attuned to their individual needs.

@teacher2teacher One mistake I made last semester was trying to grade and collect every math exit slip for my records. Now, I quickly scan them for errors and provide reteaching that same day, so I don't have to hold onto stacks of papers.

What's one mistake from last semester that you learned from?

Instead of teaching kids how to say “no," it's more effective to teach them how to reduce the likelihood of doing things that aren’t good for them. kqed.org/mindshift/6617…

"The 'old-school' skills of deep reading comprehension and strong writing ability allow people to use AI thoughtfully rather than be replaced by it."

We cannot wait until high school or college to integrate computer science lessons hechingerreport.org/high-school-co…

📢#PLN, does anyone know how to create an app? Resource teacher wanting a quick check in for students that then does branching. "How do you feel?" Gives options of what tool they want. Used Forms before; but it's convoluted for Elementary kiddos.

@teacher2teacher @CmonMattTHINK Another helpful phrase is "Will someone else understand what you did to find your answer?"

Shifting your language can shift student thinking! (Inspiration via T @CmonMattTHINK)

@0Beanie05923291 @tpatrick0888 What about discrepancies between standardized test scores and summarize assessments (i.e., those provided by curriculum)? Some students meet expectations on assessments that contain content they have learned in class, but then the students can't apply that knowledge elsewhere.

Whenever I point out the discrepancy between students’ grades and their test scores, inevitably parents (and some teachers) rush to explain that “some kids just aren’t good test-takers”. This is similar to the undying myth of “learning styles”. We’ve convinced a lot of parents (and quite a few teachers) that it’s not ineffective instruction or ambiguous curriculum that leads to lack of student learning. It’s easier to blame the elusive test companies. There’s no question that standardized tests need improvement (thanks to @CLT_Exam for stepping up), but denying that the results of the current tests provide any substantial information is foolish. Rather than dismissing students as “poor test-takers”, schools need to be honest with parents (and students) about what the results mean and why students’ grades don’t always coincide.

10 Life Lessons Kids Can Learn from the Olympics 1.Effort matters more than outcome As a therapist and educator, I want kids to understand that growth comes from consistent effort, not just the final result. Olympic athletes train for years for one moment. The lesson for kids is simple: keep showing up, keep practicing, and keep trying, even when progress feels slow. 2.Progress is more important than perfection The Olympics remind us that personal bests matter. Kids often put pressure on themselves to be perfect. What we want them to learn is that improvement over time builds confidence, resilience, and healthy self-esteem. 3.Respect is a sign of strength Athletes compete fiercely but still show respect for teammates, opponents, coaches, and officials. Kids can learn that kindness and good sportsmanship are not weakness. Respect helps build emotional safety and strong relationships. 4.Everyone belongs, even when they are different The Olympics bring together people from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds. This is a powerful reminder for kids that differences are normal and valuable. Learning to appreciate others builds empathy and social awareness. 5.Teamwork matters, even when you are the one competing Behind every athlete is a support system. Kids benefit from understanding that success is rarely individual. Coaches, teachers, family members, and friends all play a role, and asking for help is a strength, not a weakness. 6.Mental strength is just as important as physical ability Olympians practice focus, emotional regulation, and managing pressure. This Lesson mirrors what we teach in social-emotional learning: learning to breathe, stay calm, and think clearly under stress helps kids perform better in school, sports, and relationships. 7.We learn a lot from setbacks Athletes fall, lose, miss opportunities, and face disappointment — and those moments often become their greatest teachers. We want kids to understand that setbacks are not proof of failure; they are opportunities to learn, adjust, and come back stronger. Resilience grows when kids experience challenges and realize they can recover. 8.The real work happens when nobody is watching Most growth happens in quiet moments of practice and preparation. This helps kids understand that discipline and small daily habits matter more than occasional big successes. 9.Character matters more than winning Fair play, honesty, and integrity are core lessons we want children to take from sports. Winning without integrity does not build long-term confidence or trust. The goal is to help kids become good humans first and successful performers second. 10. Your best is enough The most important message from the Olympics is not about being better than others. It is about becoming the best version of yourself. When kids focus on their own growth rather than comparison, anxiety decreases and motivation becomes healthier. Closing thought: The Olympics give us a powerful teaching moment. When adults shift the conversation away from medals and toward mindset, character, effort, and learning from setbacks, kids develop skills that last far beyond sports. The real win is helping children grow into confident, compassionate, and resilient people.

Performance environment can apply to the classroom as well as sports! stevemagness.substack.com/p/miracle-on-i…

@ciji_thurman @teacher2teacher Wow, that is so great! I love the combination of real photos with your creative/artistic flair

@ElementaryZach @teacher2teacher

Q1. Black history belongs in every classroom, not just history class! What’s one way you bring Black history into your teaching? #T2Tchat

@OrganicLeaderVB Food is such an authentic connection to make for students, so it's wonderful that your school is able to do that!

A1 Hi everyone #T2Tchat Akilah, Middle School Director…just getting in! We celebrate Black History Month by flattening the walls…doorways, hallways and even highlighting special cuisine in our dining hall #LeadfromtheMiddle

@RANESIAEDWARDS @teacher2teacher @ciji_thurman @ms_witherell I would love to hear perspectives from educators in a variety of positions/settings for this topic as well!

@teacher2teacher @ciji_thurman @ms_witherell Love to talk about how to support Special Education Students.

Thank you for joining #T2Tchat – and a big shoutout to our moderators, @ciji_thurman and @ms_witherell! Have ideas for an upcoming chat topic? Share it in a reply!

@ciji_thurman I agree 100% about openness. We want all students to feel valued and welcomed, so being open helps build that trust

A6: One meaningful way to build an inclusive classroom culture is to be present and open to all students. #T2TChat

@ms_witherell @teacher2teacher Having someone agree with your ideas can be so validating for students

@teacher2teacher #t2tchat

Q8. Imagine you’re standing in your classroom on a good day. What do you see and hear that indicates students feel they belong? #T2Tchat

@teacher2teacher A5 - As a student I felt the most supported when I was able to ask questions, with the understanding that it was okay not to know every answer. #T2Tchat

Q5. Looking back on your own experience as a student, when did you feel most seen and supported? #T2Tchat

@teacher2teacher A3 - Specific to this year, we highlighted the achievements of Black Olympians as a connection to the winter games!

Q3. What book, activity or lesson do you love coming back to during Black History Month? #T2Tchat

@ciji_thurman @teacher2teacher Do you have a picture that you can share? I love seeing displays in shared spaces!

@teacher2teacher Black History month is celebrated not only inside my classroom, but in the hallway as I decorate a board on the wall to highlight different scientists #T2TChat

@ms_witherell @teacher2teacher Yes! We do Lonnie Johnson as well (former NASA engineer and inventor of the Super Soaker)

@teacher2teacher #t2tchat

@NielsHoven @MrZachG Add and subtract within 20 for second grade actually refers to fluency (i.e., mentally recall those facts). The second grade Common Core standard 2.OA.A.1 states that students are expected to "Use addition and subtraction within 100 to solve one- and two-step word problems..."

The worst part of K-12 mediocrity isn't 6th-8th grade math, it's K-5. eg: The main Common Core goals for 2nd grade math are: 1) Read numbers up to 1000 2) Add and subtract within 20 3) Count money 4) Tell time The worst part is that these goals have become a ceiling rather than floor

@TolentinoTeach At what age do you think that experimentation and playfulness does/should end?

I will never understand why so much middle school writing isn’t built around experimentation, challenge, fun, and creativity. Middle schoolers love to play, laugh, take risks, and test boundaries. When we make most writing overly serious, we turn them away from what they do best: playing with language, experimenting with literary devices and vocabulary, and rising to creative challenges.