We spend hours reading the reams of fantastic work that teachers pitch to us – and even then we struggle to get through every idea.
So picking our favourite blogs from the year, which aren’t necessarily the ones that brought in the most traffic, was tricky to say the least. But here are the ones that the team – Sarah, Kate and Lisa – picked. Don’t forget to add yours in the comments thread or tweet us via @GuardianTeach.
My life as a non-binary transgender teacher – and why I’m still closeted
Lisa: I’d never heard the term “non-binary” until I read this blog from teacher Allie George. From having to suss out colleagues to ensuring transphobia is given the same focus as homophobia in schools, I was surprised to read about the issues that trans students and teachers face. “Even in schools that have stamped out homophobia, many still shy away from teaching transgender issues because it’s too confusing or parents might complain,” George writes.
Teacher’s guide to sleep – and why it matters
Sarah: Without sleep I turn into a monster: I’m emotional, grumpy and generally a nightmare to be around. That’s why I found neurologist Judy Willis’s blog on sleep such an interesting read. It offers tips on how to get more shut-eye and explains why it’s hard but important for teachers to get a full eight hours. She writes: “It is during the later hours of sleep (especially between the sixth and eighth hour) when the brain releases the neurochemicals that stimulate the growth of memory connections.”
How I used the Ferguson riots to teach racial equality in school
Sarah: Rather than shying away from tackling difficult topics in the classroom, US teacher Chris Sloan blogged for us about how he used the Ferguson riots and fatal shooting of Michael Brown to start conversations and debates in his classroom. Sloan says that the question he is often asked is how teachers can foster productive civic discussion. The answer, he says, is that we need to create a safe place for students that honours their voices.
- It’s also worth checking out this interview with a teacher in Ferguson who set up a pop-up school to teach children while the schools closed during the unrest.
Top 10 funniest things students have said to teachers
Kate: “How do you spell KFC?” is my absolute favourite quote from this quick round-up of some of the most hilarious things your students have come out with. With all the stress and pressure in teaching this is a perfect reminder of just how funny and rewarding the job can be.
My best lesson: I don’t have one
Lisa: When teacher veteran Matt Dix agreed to blog for our “My best lesson” series, he couldn’t choose between the 3,500 or so lessons he’d taught over the past six years. It wasn’t that they were all incredible, it was just that each had its own unique reward. The blog ends on a really great reminder: while lessons with bells and whistles can be memorable, actually teachers need to help students learn at a steady pace without going under from the stress.
Fighting for Yashika: how my students campaigned to help their classmate
Lisa: When Yashika Bageerathi was threatened with deportation to Mauritius just before sitting her A-levels, a group of sixth-formers started an online petition and Twitter campaign to help her. It turned into a huge campaign which, while unsuccessful, brought the school community together and helped young people find a voice. Inspiring stuff.
How the job of a teacher compares around the world
Kate: I’m a very curious (read: nosey) person. If we’re honest, most of us find it hard to walk past the neighbours without wondering what they’re up to. The same is true in education. How does our pay compare with our neighbours in the US? Where are teachers most respected? And do we work longer hours than our much-lauded Finnish colleagues? With whizzy graphs and plenty of data crunching this is a fabulous piece that gives a firm indication of where we perform internationally.
My parents didn’t care about school, but my teachers inspired me to achieve
Lisa: Alicia McKeown’s education wasn’t idyllic – she hated school and left primary school with a reading age of 6. Her parents weren’t interested in education and didn’t bother if she attended school or not. But Alicia’s teachers helped her turn things round, with extra tuition and special strategies in class. Now Alicia works tirelessly to help her students – a really heartwarming story.
Food for the soul: recipes to give teachers’ energy levels a boost
Sarah: This blog from the Guardian’s very own Hannah Friend on the best things to eat to keep up energy levels during winter is a real eye-opener. I’ve never really thought about what your body needs and how spices can align the body with the seasons. A little heat is a great option for the winter, while other tips include eating lots of vegetables and stocking up on fish.
Michael Gove’s most memorable moments – quiz
Kate: It’s only now, with nearly six Gove-free months under our belt, that I can look back on his tenure of office without feeling both infuriated and anxious. On the day of his departure we put together a quiz to test you on some of his classic one-liners. It was funny at the time but now it takes on an even more comical quality. Well worth a walk down memory lane.
