Mike Anderson
@balancedteacher.bsky.social
Teacher, consultant, author, leader of great learning
#Motivation comes and goes, for students and teachers. Here are a few ideas, drawn from my experience as a runner and educator, about how to navigate the natural ups and downs of motivation: leadinggreatlearning.com/motivation-c...
Motivation Comes and Goes
Runners and teachers know that motivation comes and goes. We need strategies to keep ourselves (and our students) moving forward.
leadinggreatlearning.com
December 13, 2025 at 3:13 PM
#Motivation comes and goes, for students and teachers. Here are a few ideas, drawn from my experience as a runner and educator, about how to navigate the natural ups and downs of motivation: leadinggreatlearning.com/motivation-c...
My latest blog post is finished! It's part of a series I'm working on that explores what #running reminds me about #teaching and #learning. This one explores how to navigate the natural ups and downs of motivation. leadinggreatlearning.com/motivation-c...
Motivation Comes and Goes
Runners and teachers know that motivation comes and goes. We need strategies to keep ourselves (and our students) moving forward.
leadinggreatlearning.com
December 13, 2025 at 12:57 AM
My latest blog post is finished! It's part of a series I'm working on that explores what #running reminds me about #teaching and #learning. This one explores how to navigate the natural ups and downs of motivation. leadinggreatlearning.com/motivation-c...
Teachers, which routines in your room are solid? Which are shaky and will need some review in January? Good routines help students function independently and help you devote more of your attention to teaching. Start making a list now.
leadinggreatlearning.com/revisiting-r...
leadinggreatlearning.com/revisiting-r...
12 Routines to Revisit in January - by Mike Anderson
Students have been away from school for the holidays, and you'll need to help them regain their school groove. It's time to revisit key routines!
leadinggreatlearning.com
December 11, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Teachers, which routines in your room are solid? Which are shaky and will need some review in January? Good routines help students function independently and help you devote more of your attention to teaching. Start making a list now.
leadinggreatlearning.com/revisiting-r...
leadinggreatlearning.com/revisiting-r...
On Nov. 10, I worked with Ka'elepulu School in Kailua, HI. We dug into student motivation and considered how to lean into intrinsic motivators (autonomy, competence, belonging, purpose, curiosity, and fun) and away from extrinsic ones (tickets, points, prizes, grades, etc.).
December 8, 2025 at 5:19 PM
On Nov. 10, I worked with Ka'elepulu School in Kailua, HI. We dug into student motivation and considered how to lean into intrinsic motivators (autonomy, competence, belonging, purpose, curiosity, and fun) and away from extrinsic ones (tickets, points, prizes, grades, etc.).
A calm start to Monday morning sets a tone of safety and productivity for the rest of the week. Start thinking ahead to next week with some ideas from this article: leadinggreatlearning.com/a-calm-start...
A Calm Start to Monday Morning
Monday mornings set the tone for the rest of the week at school. Read on for practical strategies to have a calm start to Monday morning.
leadinggreatlearning.com
October 21, 2025 at 10:11 AM
A calm start to Monday morning sets a tone of safety and productivity for the rest of the week. Start thinking ahead to next week with some ideas from this article: leadinggreatlearning.com/a-calm-start...
Teachers, here's a blog post to pass along to parents about how to pack foods for kids that help them have a great day at school: leadinggreatlearning.com/foods-that-f...
Foods that Fuel Attention, Good Behavior, and Learning
As parents, we all want to help our kids succeed in school. Let's pack them foods that fuel attention, good behavior and learning.
leadinggreatlearning.com
October 8, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Teachers, here's a blog post to pass along to parents about how to pack foods for kids that help them have a great day at school: leadinggreatlearning.com/foods-that-f...
We can design writing rubrics with intrinsic motivation in mind.
September 22, 2025 at 11:25 AM
We can design writing rubrics with intrinsic motivation in mind.
Let's be careful not to diminish kids' self-motivation for writing through rubrics that use extrinsic motivators.
September 22, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Let's be careful not to diminish kids' self-motivation for writing through rubrics that use extrinsic motivators.
Kids will be more motivated to write when writing helps them meet basic psychological needs.
September 22, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Kids will be more motivated to write when writing helps them meet basic psychological needs.
Here's the conclusion from What We Say and How We Say It Matter (amazon.com/dp/1416627049/). It's a good reminder as we head into the school year.
August 18, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Here's the conclusion from What We Say and How We Say It Matter (amazon.com/dp/1416627049/). It's a good reminder as we head into the school year.
I had a blast with you all!
Grateful for the time with @balancedteacher.bsky.social! Boosting Student Motivation: Don't we all want students who are truly self-motivated about their work? YES, if we want life long learners & more! #NYSTeacherCenter #ACSD #StudentLeader #ThanksGCSD
August 17, 2025 at 10:59 PM
I had a blast with you all!
Just had this comment posted in one of my online classes. I see this kind of reflection a lot. It's so true. We don't mean to demotivate with incentives, but that's just what happens in the long run.
June 21, 2025 at 12:24 AM
Just had this comment posted in one of my online classes. I see this kind of reflection a lot. It's so true. We don't mean to demotivate with incentives, but that's just what happens in the long run.
I ran a half marathon race this past weekend, and it got me thinking about final exams. Should one big test really have much (if any) bearing on how we evaluate a student's learning from a semester or year? leadinggreatlearning.com/reflections-...
Reflections on Final Exams After a Half Marathon Race
One test shouldn't try to capture a semester's learning any more than one race should define a season of running.
leadinggreatlearning.com
June 9, 2025 at 5:02 PM
I ran a half marathon race this past weekend, and it got me thinking about final exams. Should one big test really have much (if any) bearing on how we evaluate a student's learning from a semester or year? leadinggreatlearning.com/reflections-...
I'm working on a writing project about kids who struggle in school. I'd like to tell stories of famous/successful adults who struggled in school. Does anyone have suggestions of people whose stories I should explore--famous people who had a hard time in school?
May 20, 2025 at 8:11 PM
I'm working on a writing project about kids who struggle in school. I'd like to tell stories of famous/successful adults who struggled in school. Does anyone have suggestions of people whose stories I should explore--famous people who had a hard time in school?
School leaders, are you looking for a book for faculty to read over the summer? This book is packed with small steps teachers can take to refresh their spirits, recover their swagger, recharge their batteries, and rekindle their professional fires! www.amazon.com/Rekindle-You...
Rekindle Your Professional Fire: Powerful Habits for Becoming a More Well-Balanced Teacher
Amazon.com: Rekindle Your Professional Fire: Powerful Habits for Becoming a More Well-Balanced Teacher: 9781416633037: Anderson, Mike: Books
www.amazon.com
May 10, 2025 at 4:15 PM
School leaders, are you looking for a book for faculty to read over the summer? This book is packed with small steps teachers can take to refresh their spirits, recover their swagger, recharge their batteries, and rekindle their professional fires! www.amazon.com/Rekindle-You...
Looking for summer learning for teachers? Many schools use these courses to support self-paced teacher learning. Popular courses are Hugging Porcupines, Tackling the Motivation Crisis, and What We Say and How We Say It Matter.
Check them all out here: courses.leadinggreatlearning.com
Check them all out here: courses.leadinggreatlearning.com
Leading Great LearningTeach online with Thinkific
courses.leadinggreatlearning.com
April 17, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Looking for summer learning for teachers? Many schools use these courses to support self-paced teacher learning. Popular courses are Hugging Porcupines, Tackling the Motivation Crisis, and What We Say and How We Say It Matter.
Check them all out here: courses.leadinggreatlearning.com
Check them all out here: courses.leadinggreatlearning.com
Teachers get run down and burned out when their needs for autonomy, belonging, competence, purpose, curiosity, and fun (not to mention basic good health) are in deficit. Here are some ideas generated by school leaders for how to meet those needs. leadinggreatlearning.com/three-ways-t...
Three Ways to Rekindle Teachers' Professional Fires
Here are three strategies school leader can use to create a more vibrant, healthy, and engaged school climate. Rekindle your teachers' fires!
leadinggreatlearning.com
March 21, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Teachers get run down and burned out when their needs for autonomy, belonging, competence, purpose, curiosity, and fun (not to mention basic good health) are in deficit. Here are some ideas generated by school leaders for how to meet those needs. leadinggreatlearning.com/three-ways-t...
Reposted by Mike Anderson
View the latest #podcast with @balancedteacher.bsky.social Mike Anderson, #author of nine books about great #teaching and #learning @danagoodier.bsky.social youtu.be/IBXnXcYhNXY?...
"Out of the Trenches" podcast episode #340: Mike Anderson
YouTube video by Dana Goodier
youtu.be
February 15, 2025 at 5:43 PM
View the latest #podcast with @balancedteacher.bsky.social Mike Anderson, #author of nine books about great #teaching and #learning @danagoodier.bsky.social youtu.be/IBXnXcYhNXY?...
What if there was a perfect breakfast for educators? I've got a new favorite for you to consider... leadinggreatlearning.com/the-perfect-...
The Perfect Breakfast for Teachers
We know how important breakfast is, but it's so easy to skip. Enter the humble bowl of oatmeal--perhaps the perfect breakfast for teachers.
leadinggreatlearning.com
February 11, 2025 at 4:58 PM
What if there was a perfect breakfast for educators? I've got a new favorite for you to consider... leadinggreatlearning.com/the-perfect-...
What a blast yesterday! I got to teach a half-day workshop (Hugging Porcupines: How to Build Relationships with Kids Who Have Challenging Behaviors) to paraeducators from across southern NH. Here is a contingent from Manchester!
February 9, 2025 at 7:35 PM
What a blast yesterday! I got to teach a half-day workshop (Hugging Porcupines: How to Build Relationships with Kids Who Have Challenging Behaviors) to paraeducators from across southern NH. Here is a contingent from Manchester!
It's so easy to make assumptions, react emotionally, and slide into judgment when a student says or does something hurtful, isn't it? When that happens, try to channel your inner Ted Lasso. leadinggreatlearning.com/be-curious-n... #tedlasso
Be Curious, Not Judgmental
How might we follow Ted Lasso's advice to be curious, not judgmental? And how might this help us be better educators?
leadinggreatlearning.com
January 31, 2025 at 12:16 PM
It's so easy to make assumptions, react emotionally, and slide into judgment when a student says or does something hurtful, isn't it? When that happens, try to channel your inner Ted Lasso. leadinggreatlearning.com/be-curious-n... #tedlasso
Could rewards and incentive systems make kids more self-centered? What if we spent more time teaching higher-level values? leadinggreatlearning.com/what-about-k...
January 27, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Could rewards and incentive systems make kids more self-centered? What if we spent more time teaching higher-level values? leadinggreatlearning.com/what-about-k...