You spend your days caring for your students. Maybe you get home and have to care for your own kiddos, or your partner…or your needy puggle puppy who won’t stop shredding all the toilet paper rolls. The point is, as a teacher, caring for others can quickly consume all your time. Before you know it,… Read More

Summer is the time to truly think about what worked for you this past school year, and what totally didn’t. Even if you had a great year, there is always room for growth. If you were constantly exhausted, behind on work, redoing lesson plans, or always saying “no” to social plans, it’s time for a… Read More

As the calendar year comes to a close, it’s time to pause and reflect on our teaching practice. Teachers often focus on what we didn’t get done, what we still have to do, and the mistakes we’ve made along the way. This can quickly lead to burnout. It’s time to flip your reflection game and… Read More

We all know that teachers are incredible human beings, but dating one is a unique experience. From early nights to grading to glitter, here’s what to expect when dating a teacher. You’re going to run into students — everywhere! The grocery store? The gas station? A romantic dinner for two? Chances are, you’ll run into… Read More

Earning a Doctorate of Education (EdD) while working full-time isn’t easy but it is possible, and there are many benefits associated with this terminal degree. So how exactly do you balance it all without burning out? Here are five helpful tips from some of our doctoral candidates and graduates, just for you. 1. Create a schedule that works… Read More

You may have seen it, been around it, or maybe you’re experiencing it right now: teacher burnout. It’s sadly very common and it can often be labeled as Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS). Many of us struggle to find ways to set boundaries, recognize our own limitations, and prioritize our personal needs. It becomes even more… Read More

We know that extracurricular activities can benefit students in a variety of ways but, as teachers, we are often the ones to take on those additional responsibilities. You leave your classroom and become a coach, club leader, or theater director. This added role may be fulfilling, but it’s often hard to achieve work-life balance. So here… Read More

Many people don’t really get what it means to be a teacher and how challenging yet rewarding this profession can be. Don’t worry. We’ve got your back with a host of new memes that we’ve created just for you. So ignore the mountain of ungraded papers for a moment and take a well-deserved meme break.

Saying no is the best choice I have ever made for my teaching career. I entered the teaching profession after a career in public libraries. In the beginning, I told my principal that I would probably stay late on campus since I was used to, and I quote, “working until 6 p.m. most days.” I started… Read More

Editor’s note: In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, we’re able to work almost anywhere at any time. But how does being so connected affect our lives and the way we view work-life balance? Here to share his insight and expertise is Tom Armbrecht, PhD, a former professor of French studies who is now an online learning… Read More

Concordia University-Portland’s College of Education and WeAreTeachers hosted an awesome Facebook Live professional development session: Self-Care & Mindfulness for Teachers. Did you miss it? No worries! We’ve got you covered with some key takeaways. You can also watch the full video anytime to catch all of the details. Mindfulness for students Hosts Kayla Dessert and… Read More

Entering a new school year can be stressful and daunting. The long summer days are winding down and back-to-school anxiety starts to creep in. But with a little mindfulness and intention — and some great advice from Concordia University-Portland Cavaliers — you can start off the new school year right! The power of intention “Our… Read More

We all know that healthy eating, sufficient sleep, and work breaks are good practices. But how do we truly break through our habits and start a teacher self-care practice that actually sticks? Summer is a perfect time to get going on a self-care journey that lasts. Here’s some helpful advice and practical tools to build… Read More

Picture it: a teacher hovering over a lukewarm microwavable meal while making copies and simultaneously grading this week’s essays. It’s summer, so that overworked teacher is surely relaxing poolside somewhere, right? Wrong. While many think teachers “get summers off,” most of us are extremely busy planning lessons or attending professional development sessions and conferences. Here’s… Read More