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Barbara Blackburn's Best Advice for Beginning Teachers
by Dr. Barbara Blackburn
Published via Middleweb : August 2, 2022
Teaching guru Barbara R. Blackburn shared her first how-to article at MiddleWeb way back in early 2014. The combined readership of her MiddleWeb contributions is approaching 500,000 pageviews. And little wonder.
Every Teacher Makes a Difference - Every Day
by Dr. Barbara Blackburn
Published via Middleweb : August 28, 2022
There were days when it seemed like it didn’t really matter if I tried, put forth extra effort, did a really great activity instead of a worksheet, or tried for the hundredth time to reach that student. I tried to make a difference, but Roger still got in a fight. I did everything possible, but Asheland still didn’t bring her homework. I communicated with parents, but they still said it was my fault that their child wasn’t learning.
Feeling Overwhelmed? Try These 7 Strategies
by Dr. Barbara Blackburn
Published via Middleweb : March 26, 2013
The number one frustration I hear from teachers is TIME! So often they say “I just don’t have time to do everything I need to.”
I have seven suggestions that may help lessen the overwhelm, boost motivation, and relieve some of the stress.
4 Tips for Managing Your Classroom
by Dr. Barbara Blackburn
Published via Share My Lesson : August 24, 2014
I’m often asked about classroom management. How do you manage a classroom? From my perspective, management is not about having a set of structures and schedules; it’s about having the procedures in place to help you meet the needs of all your students. Without a solid structural base, your classroom can become shaky, with unpredictable results for you and your students. Let’s look at four key areas that can affect your instruction.
Five Strategies to Help New Teachers Build Success
by Dr. Barbara Blackburn
Published via Share My Lesson : June 28, 2022
As a new teacher, you are probably filled with a mix of emotions: excitement, hope and anxiety. When you start, it is easy to become overwhelmed. Let’s look at five steps to smooth your transition.
Five Things Every New Teacher Needs to Know
by Dr. Barbara Blackburn
Published via Middleweb : August 11, 2019
Are you a new teacher? Are you nervous about starting the school year? I know I was my first year.
When I was writing my first book, one of my colleagues, Jason, pointed out that everyone has butterflies the first day of school. The goal is not to get rid of them; the goal is to line them up in formation!
Seven Time-Saving Ways to Balance Teaching Tasks
by Dr. Barbara Blackburn
Published via Middleweb : June 23, 2019
How do you manage to do everything you need to do to be an effective teacher? There is no doubt that this is the number one concern I hear from teachers. With everything you must juggle, it can seem overwhelming.
Six Ways Teachers Can Stay Inspired This Year
by Dr. Barbara Blackburn
Published via Middleweb : July 26, 2016
Too often, I talk to teachers who have lost their motivation. They are overwhelmed by paperwork, frustrated with discipline problems, and feel as though no one values their expertise—evidenced by the fact that they are told more than they are asked.
Three Strategies for Teachers Who Use A.I
by Dr. Barbara Blackburn
Published via Share My Lesson : August 5, 2025
We are short on time, energy and manpower. Artificial intelligence can help us work smarter rather than harder. Using it to help with everyday tasks can cut down on hours of work. However, it is important and essential to note: AI cannot simply be a shortcut that goes unchecked. It is not human. It doesn’t know your students or parents. It is ultimately up to us to ensure that we take what the technology can do for us and then personalize it so it meets the developmental, emotional and personal needs of our students. That said, here are three of the most popular ways educators can benefit from it.
Three Strategies to Teach Appropriate Use of A.I
by Dr. Barbara Blackburn
Published via Share My Lesson : August 11, 2025
In the new world of artificial intelligence, students have access to tools that will generate pretty much anything they ask it to generate. This can be very frustrating for teachers. How do we ensure that they are not cheating? The truth is, unless you are doing everything on paper, you can’t. Even online AI detectors are problematic, with a high percentage of false positives. So, the best way to manage AI is to teach our students how to use it responsibly and ensure that we capitalize not only on the efficiency it offers, but also the opportunity to task students with evaluating its accuracy.
You Are The Keys to Your Students' Success
by Dr. Barbara Blackburn
Published via Middleweb : August 17, 2025
First: Imagine an instance when you were 100% excited about making a difference for kids – a moment you were most enthusiastic about being a teacher. You might be feeling that right now, or it may have been a while since you felt that way. But can you remember the time when you totally believed you would change your students’ lives?
You Can Make Meetings More Productive
by Dr. Barbara Blackburn & Dr. Ronald Williamson
Published via Middleweb : March 18, 2024
School leaders spend too much time in meetings. There are meetings with staff, meetings with other principals, meetings with supervisors and meetings with parents. It feels like meetings consume the day. Some meetings we arrange, others we just attend.
