Derek StoppelsNov 5, 20192 minWhy's it always gotta be about academics?!Seriously. Why does it always have to be about academics? School is obviously a place where students come to learn, but why does it...
Derek StoppelsOct 23, 20192 minI Learned The Hard WayI don't want to say I made a mistake, but I may have made a mistake. I'm writing this post because one day, someone who is just starting...
Derek StoppelsSep 28, 20193 minWho's working harder?Last week, I was at a meeting for the Professional Learning Team (PLT) which I am a part of at school. There were actually two PLTs at...
Derek StoppelsSep 17, 20196 minWhat if we didn't emphasize the content?I'm glad we're having this conversation! I found the article below interesting regarding the success of Project Based Learning. While I...
Derek StoppelsSep 16, 20193 minWhere I'm Coming FromFrom 2012 to 2018 I taught in a Community Living Class (also known as a Developmental Disabilities Program) at Hillcrest High School (in...
Derek StoppelsSep 11, 20193 minWhat comes first, school or well being?Recently I read a blog post by Grant Lichtman with the same title as this blog. His came first BUT I thought this is a really important...
Derek StoppelsSep 3, 20193 minDear Students,Dear Students, As you enter my classroom and begin a new school year, I wanted to offer some thoughts. You're about to go embark on yet...
Derek StoppelsAug 15, 20194 minLinear Education vs. Non-I just watched an inspiring TED talk by Margaret Heffernan about the skills we are going to need in an unpredictable world. I couldn't...
Derek StoppelsAug 7, 20192 minLearning to DanceIt still surprises me that I have to remind people that teachers still have to work on PD days. The students stay home, and usually it's...
Derek StoppelsAug 3, 20194 minMandatory Mental Health Courses?Derek Lopez @standupourkids, did it again. He asked an important question on Twitter that I need more than 240 characters to answer. He...
Derek StoppelsJul 26, 20196 minGet 'em Off Screens!One of my goals for this summer was to expand my professional network and in doing so I came across Derek Lopez from @standupourkids on...
Derek StoppelsJul 15, 20196 minOld School vs. New SchoolAt the end of the school year, we got together at the school for an end of year brunch which is an annual tradition and is provided by...
Derek StoppelsJun 27, 20192 minControlling StimuliI'm reading a book right now called The Power of Agency. I heard Paul Napper on the Art of Manliness podcast talking about this book and...
Derek StoppelsJun 19, 20194 minHealth, Family, Work...Choose twoYesterday was the last day of classes and so today is the start of exams. I still have some final things to mark because I've...
Derek StoppelsJun 12, 20194 minGET A JOB!I had a conversation the other day with a student who was thinking of getting a summer job. Right off the bat I want to say that I think...
Derek StoppelsJun 6, 20194 minGET OUTSIDE!There's two things I love about being outdoors: 1) You'll never get bored 2) It reduces stress 1) You'll never get bored: There's always...
Derek StoppelsMay 27, 20194 minThe Trifecta of LearningIn my last post I wrote about what I thought it was going to take to be an effective educator in the 21st century. In this post I want...
Derek StoppelsMay 16, 20196 minAlways be humble and kindRecently I watched the movie The Grizzlies in the cinema (based on a true story). It starts with a brand new teacher straight out of...
Derek StoppelsMay 9, 20194 minIs this going to be on the test?This semester has been ground breaking for me. I've been questioning and evaluating my own practice as an educator (a weapon of mass...
Derek StoppelsMay 2, 20193 minThe value of volunteeringOne of the things I want to impress upon my students is the value of volunteering and the importance of being Globally Aware (I...