Jennifer Dawson

Effective teachers don't focus so much on rules, but more on relationships, routines, & expectations. If you focus mainly on rules, you will spend most of the year enforcing what not to do. But if you focus on the rest, then your focus is on what to do.

This! Spot on!

From a Teacher ❤️ ✏️ Today I was running low on pencils so I asked all of my kids to pull out any of my pencils that they had in their desks. I had one student ask me if he could keep his pencils that his mom gave him for school. Of course, I said yes. He then said, “well, I guess I’ll give you a few so my classmates can have them too.” I thought nothing of it and took the pencils that he handed me. When I was sharpening them, I noticed writing on a few of them. I then realized that my student’s mother took the time to write on his pencils. I asked him if he would mind showing me the rest of them. What I read melted my heart: - You are so talented. - This will be a great year. - You are creative. - You are phenomenal. - Never give up. - You can do this. - You are knowledgeable. - You are a math whiz. - You are intelligent. - Proud of you everyday. - I love you. - You have a brilliant mind. - You are wonderful. - You are a problem solver. - Follow your dreams. - You are perfect. - I am proud of you. - You will change the world. - You are amazing. - You are the best. - You are important. -This probably took his mom a few minutes to do yet it lit up his whole day at school. He wasn’t embarrassed that his mom wrote on his pencils. Thanks to his mom, he was reminded of his self worth and wanted to share the same feeling with his classmates. - THESE are the things that we should be reminding our kids (both parents AND teachers). Imagine the look on a child’s face when they are reminded that they are important, talented, loved, knowledgeable and so much more. - Help them know that someone believes in them and is proud of them in everything they do. Even if you think it is cheesy or you don’t have enough time or that you will have little impact, remember that you may be the only one telling and reminding them these things and EVERY kid needs to know their value. This is why I teach. ❤️❤💜💜😀⭐

#gcss23 @GASocStudies

Students work harder for teachers they feel care about them and appreciate their hard work. #2023

On December 31, 1972, Roberto Clemente lost his life in a plane crash while attempting to deliver supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. Today, on the 50th anniversary of his passing, we remember his incredible legacy on and off the field.

@mremrich1 39

Weird list, but my number is 25...how about you?

My favorite 2022 memory: my parents achieving their lifelong dream of putting ALL FIVE of their kids thru college. Here they are proudly holding all of the degrees THEY earned. Not us. Them - 2 beautiful refugees. I wrote about them here: weareiowa.com/amp/article/ne… #VeryAsian

We've always had SEL in schools. It was called recess, play, & classes like Music, Art, Physical Education.But they have been taken away or reduced to spend more time on testing, & then we wonder why students lack social/ emotional skills & misbehavior that come with lack of it.

Messi has been soccer to 2 generations of soccer kids. I don’t really understand soccer, but I understand penalty kick sudden death round & Messi’s impact on the game. 🇦🇷 ⚽️ 🇦🇷#middleschoolteacher #socialstudiesteacher #worldstudies #FIFAWorldCup #nextstopNorthAmericaUnited ⚽️😎

Tonight is the first night of Hanukkah. Chag urim sameach to my Jewish friends around the globe.

Shut🚪to 22 half of year 22-23. Look in🪟 to see museum walls, red @Rally bucket, & top of @PAGE_EdNews Academic Bowl Region trophy! Sums it along w/“D”w/HR initials from 7 years ago. Always about Ss 1st & foremost!🌏♥️ #middleschoolmatters #socialstudiesmatters #thebigpicture 🖼

Can’t wait for mine to arrive! Such a great teaching tool that’s withstood the test of time for me! 🇺🇸💙

Don’t be afraid to abandon a lesson whenever you get the opportunity to teach a life lesson. The ones you don’t plan are often the ones kids remember.

What did you do last night? I built a museum!! Exhibitor pieces go up in the morning! 🖼🧸🚪#ettt #middleschoolteacher #socialstudiesteacher #studentcreatedwork @CobbAlp @Cobb_SS

@nicolab2018 Oh my! I recognize this one! How cool is this?!?!

So thankful that another one of my former Vaughan kiddos is loving what they do and can share via a Virtual Field Trip all the way in Montana! Perfect addition to our ecosystem study this quarter!

🤩Packed house for @s3strategies “The Power of Perspective” @GASocStudies #GCSS2022!Raise your hand if you found your match🙌Love seeing the engagement & ah-ha moments! 💡💥 #ActiveLearning #PurposefulPD That’s #s3strategies

So many former students & club/team members in this group! #lmmsproud #proudformerteacher