Hot Mess Teacher Express

I’m a teacher with anxiety. Not just the everyday stress and uncertainty that come with the job. I mean clinical, chemical anxiety—GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) and depression, to be exact. And yes, it’s about as miserable as it sounds. In hindsight, teaching high school may not have been the best career choice for someone like […]

Celebrating the Beginning of Cold and Flu Season with a New Short Story Unit!

Because, let’s face it, these damn kids have already started bringing their cooties into the room anyway. May as well make it a party and lean in with a new thematic unit, right? Alright, ELA teachers, I see you. You’re tired of the same old routine, juggling the classics, trying to keep students engaged while […]

Conflict with the Canon: Necessary Reading That Doesn’t Tell My Students’ Stories

…here’s where it gets tricky: these books, as important as they are, often don’t speak to the realities of my students’ lives.

Power of Vulnerability: Teachers Should Model Narrative Writing

Writing is hard. It’s even harder when you’re a teenager, trying to juggle the pressures of school, social life, and figuring out who you are. As English teachers, we ask our students to open up and put their thoughts and feelings on paper, but how often do we do the same? Here’s the thing: If […]

“YOU Get an Accommodation! And YOU Get and Accommodation!”

In the world of education, we often hear about accommodations designed specifically for students in Special Education (SPED). Tools like read-along audio for novels and essay guides with prompting questions are crafted to support these students, helping them navigate academic challenges with greater ease. But here’s the secret: these accommodations don’t just benefit students in […]

Why Adapted Literature Matters for High School Students in SPED and ELL

Imagine sitting in a classroom, the teacher hands out a book, and as soon as you open it, the words start swimming on the page. It’s like trying to decode a message in a language you’ve never learned, and instead of feeling curious or excited, you’re overwhelmed. You want to engage, but the material is […]

Standardized Test-Style Daily Review Qs for The Things They Carried–Now on TpT!

Last year, I started getting serious about my test prep. You can read all about that in my blog post about daily ACT-style review questions here. Spoiler: I lament that this is something the kids have to worry about but accept the stupid reality that standardized tests aren’t going anywhere for a while. Since then, […]

HIGH-VALUE Featured Freebie on TpT!

HEADS UP! I just put a high-value items as my featured freebie on TpT! It’s a three-week-long TURNKEY unit. GREAT for sub plans, too, and REALLY flexible. Get out there, grab it, and review! As with ALL my ELA materials, this unit plan has built-in features that make the content accessible for ALL learners. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FREE-E2E-Short-Story-Digital-Learning-Unit-TURNKEY-SUB-PLANS-9391079

Special E2E Sale on TpT November 17-19!

As we all try desperately to cling to the tatters of our sanity leading up to Thanksgiving Break, a fresh, quick, engaging short lesson may be the solution to your “FUCK. WHEN WILL THESE KIDS LEAVE FOR BREAK???” dilemma. Starting NOW and running through Sunday, all behavior and ELA short lessons and short adapted lit […]