Teacher Life

Better Together!

Classroom Direct has joined the School Specialty family, making it easier than ever to shop, save, and find great inspiration. Enjoy and explore hundreds of blog posts with tips and ideas for every educator on the Schoolyard Blog.

Explore the Schoolyard Blog

Search Results for: back to school

Stylish Teacher Tools & Accessories for Back to School

When it comes to filling a classroom space, there are a lot of decisions to be made. Having the right items and tools on hand makes the process quicker and easier. If you’re looking for the right decorations and ideas to make your classroom feel complete at the start of the new year, check […]

5 Back-to-School Tips and Ideas from Veteran Teachers

Back-to-school can be both an exciting and overwhelming time for teachers. There are several nuggets of advice that veteran teachers wished someone would have told them when first starting out. Here are five of them: 1. Organize Your Classroom as Soon as Possible Teachers need to organize their classrooms as soon as possible. For those who […]

The Schoolyard Podcast Episode 10: Let’s Talk About Burnout and Staff Shortages

The teacher shortage problem across the nation is indeed a pressing issue. Many schools struggle to find qualified teachers, leading to large class sizes and increased workloads for existing teachers. This, in turn, contributes to teacher burnout. In this episode, host Nancy Chung interviews Dr. Richard Warren Jr., an award-winning educator, professor, and renowned […]

The Schoolyard Podcast Episode 9: Sensory Spaces, Not Just for Students

Sensory spaces are carefully crafted to create a multisensory experience that can help us relax, focus, or simply enjoy the moment. In this episode, host Nancy Chung interviews occupational therapist and School Specialty’s subject matter expert for Special Needs, Cecilia Cruse. We also welcome back School Specialty’s National Education Strategist, Dr. Sue Ann Highland. […]

How Smart School Design Promotes Teacher Wellness

The pandemic has taken a big toll on students’ mental health, and so it’s no surprise that student wellness is a top concern among K-12 leaders. But what about the teachers, paraprofessionals, and other support staff who are tasked with educating students every day? COVID has been just as hard on their mental health […]

2020 School Specialty Crystal Apple Award Winners

Teachers and their students work hard to grow and learn together every year. That’s what inspired us to create the Crystal Apple award. It’s our chance to recognize and reward all the transformational efforts teachers and their classrooms make. This year, at a time when we see teachers and classrooms coming together in innovative […]

2019 School Specialty Honor Roll Winners

Every year teachers and their students work hard to grow and learn. The School Specialty Honor Roll is an annual opportunity to recognize and reward some of the incredibly resilient, kind, and talented students and teachers in our communities. 2019 School Specialty Honor Roll Winning Entries This year’s nominated teachers and students were incredibly […]

2018 School Specialty Honor Roll Winners

Teachers and their students work hard to grow and learn together every year. The School Specialty Honor Roll is an opportunity to recognize and reward some of the incredibly resilient, kind, and talented students and teachers in our communities. See the 2019 Honor Roll Winners 2018 School Specialty Honor Roll Entries This year’s nominated […]

10 Reasons NOT to Do School Work During Winter Break

Even when winter break comes, most teachers still have a pile of work to complete. Working through your breaks can drain your energy for the rest of the school year. Here are ten reasons you shouldn’t work through your winter break. 10 Reasons to Put Work Aside Over Winter Break When you’re considering taking out […]

First Day of School: Getting to Know Your Students

First impressions are lasting impressions, so you want to make sure that on the first day of school you make a good first impression on the students. Part of that is learning everything you can about the students where the student knows they aren’t just another student to you. 1. Before the Students Come […]

10 Myths About Homeschooling Debunked

Homeschooling is a wonderful educational option, but misconceptions abound about this unique and interesting model of education. Here are 10 homeschooling myths, and the truth about each one. 1. You have to have a teacher’s license. Different areas have different rules about homeschooling, but most places make it easy for the dedicated parent to […]

Preparing for a Great School Year

While kids and parents are relaxing through the last days of summer, teachers are back to work, preparing their classrooms, lesson plans, and trying to make everything ready for the start of the school year. For new teachers and experienced alike, this is a stressful time but there are four easy steps to ensuring […]