Author Archives: Joe Martin

Teachers always ask me how do I stay so motivated as an educator. I always tell them that it’s a secret weapon I call the “medicine cabinet.’ Ever since I first started teaching, I always saved every note, e-mail, card, … Continue reading →

No, I’m not talking about your students (or your children); I’m talking about you. As if you didn’t have enough to do already, you’re probably wondering what type of homework I’m referring to.  Well, I’m talking about the kind of … Continue reading →

Is there anything more frustrating than doing all the right things, but still getting the wrong results? You know what I mean; you request a parent-teacher conference concerning Billy’s progress, but you get accused of “picking on him” or “singling … Continue reading →

I was counseling a student the other day who had been experiencing some major problems in her life.  Everything she did just seemed to turn out wrong.  Even when things turned out right, she’d get nervous, and then she would … Continue reading →

Many teachers (especially experienced ones) suffer from what I call “change phobia.”   What is “change phobia” you ask?  It’s exactly what you may think it is; it’s an unhealthy fear of change. As teachers, we can’t afford to be “change phobics”; … Continue reading →

Someone once asked me, if your house was burning down, and you and your family could only grab a few things to take with you, what would be the one thing you would grab? While most people would say they … Continue reading →

Do you realize we only hear what we pay attention to? I know you’re probably saying, “Duh, no kidding.” But don’t take this simple truth for granted. See, the real question is “What are you paying attention to?” Allow me … Continue reading →

  Have you ever marveled at how students can justify getting a “C” in a class or on a test; it’s truly a site to behold.  You hear phrases like: “I passed, didn’t I?”  “Hey, this grade doesn’t really matter … Continue reading →

There’s always at least one of them in every class.  And at the beginning of the school year, you pray that you don’t get any, but you always do.  No, I’m not talking about students; I’m talking about that “special” … Continue reading →

As soon as I came up with the title to this article, I knew I had some explaining to do. No, this article isn’t about your love life or your future relationship.  As always, I’m talking about teaching.  I know … Continue reading →