The Teacher's Lounge

Thirty years ago, teaching was often seen as a lifelong career rooted in one school community. Many educators spent decades in the same classroom, building deep relationships with families, colleagues, and generations of students. Today, that picture has shifted dramatically. As a teacher, I’ve seen firsthand how the profession has evolved into one where movement between schools, districts, and even sectors is increasingly common. So what changed? Why Teachers Are Moving More

If you talk to teachers across the country, you’ll quickly notice something interesting. Two teachers can have the same degree. The same years of experience. The same passion for kids. And yet their daily reality can feel completely different. Why? Because the way teachers are treated often depends heavily on the state they teach in. Let’s look at some real examples. 1. Pay and Compensation Teacher salaries vary widely by state. For example: In New York  and Massachusetts ,

Teaching is already one of the most demanding jobs there is. It requires constant decision making, emotional regulation, flexibility, flexibility again, creativity, and patience. When administrative support is strong, teachers can handle a lot. When that support is missing, even small challenges start to feel overwhelming. Lately, many teachers are sharing the same frustrations. Planning time disappears for meetings. Parent complaints land on teachers without context or back

If you are standing in your classroom in mid January wondering why everything suddenly feels harder, you are not alone. The energy is different. The routines feel shaky again. Students seem more tired, more wiggly, or more emotional. And that quiet voice in your head starts whispering, I should be further along by now. Let’s say this clearly and right up front. You are not behind. January is just hard. Why January Feels So Heavy in Elementary Classrooms January is one of the

Let’s be honest — even the best teachers get that tiny jolt of panic when they see their admin walk in with a clipboard. You could be teaching your favorite lesson, students fully engaged, and still feel your pulse jump. Why? Because observations can feel like someone is grading your every move . Here’s the truth: a great observation isn’t about performing perfectly. It’s about showing what you already do every day — with a bit of intention and polish. Here are practical, tea

Hey Teacher Friend, If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’re feeling stretched thin. Maybe your to-do list is longer than your lunch break. Maybe you’ve said “I’ll get caught up this weekend” one too many weekends in a row. Or maybe you just feel… tired. I see you. I’ve been there. And I want to remind you of something really important: you are not the problem. Teaching is a beautiful, exhausting, world-changing profession—but it can also drain every ounce of ener

(Written by a classroom teacher who knows what it feels like to give your all, every single day — and still be asked for just a little bit more.) “Some days it feels like no matter what we do, it’s never enough.” There’s something I wish more people understood about being a teacher in today’s world: we care deeply  — but we’re tired of being blamed for everything that goes wrong in education. When a student struggles, we’re told we didn’t differentiate enough. When test score

Every teacher has been there: you’re juggling lessons, grading, and a million little tasks when a parent email or comment pops up that makes your stomach drop. Criticism can sting, especially when you’re giving your all. But the good news is, you don’t have to let it derail your entire day. With a few simple strategies, you can respond effectively, protect your peace of mind, and move forward. 1. Pause Before You Reply When a message feels sharp or unfair, it’s tempting to fi

When you think back on your teaching career, chances are there’s one piece of advice that has stuck with you. The kind that plays in the back of your mind on a tough day, or gives you courage to try something new. Teachers pass down wisdom like it’s part of the curriculum, and often those little nuggets of advice make all the difference. Here are some of the best pieces of teaching advice shared by real teachers — along with how they put it into action. “You don’t have to be

The first few weeks of school are always a whirlwind. New students, fresh lesson plans, back-to-school nights, and a never-ending to-do list that seems to grow faster than you can check things off. If you’re already feeling stretched thin—take a deep breath. You’re not alone. Here are a few gentle reminders (and some practical tips) to help you manage the stress without letting it take over: 1. Don’t Panic When You Fall Behind Here’s the truth: you will fall behind at some po