John Thomas
@flyfish29.bsky.social
Grades 1-2 teacher, ADHD, Dyspraxic, Dysgraphic, LEGO EDU Ambassador, Edutopia Facilitator & Blogger, recovering principal, former stay@home dad, hiker, kayaker, gamer, KC sports and MIZZOU fan
Reposted by John Thomas
Helping teams solve problems isn’t easy. Here are 4 tips from veteran administrators that can help. ⭐
#SchoolLeaders #Principals #EduSky
#SchoolLeaders #Principals #EduSky
4 Ways to Increase Your Leadership Team’s Problem-Solving Capacity
Both the collective talents of team members and robust team processes are needed to address the multidimensional challenges schools confront today.
edut.to
November 9, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Helping teams solve problems isn’t easy. Here are 4 tips from veteran administrators that can help. ⭐
#SchoolLeaders #Principals #EduSky
#SchoolLeaders #Principals #EduSky
I saw a session by this author at ISTE a few years ago. It was fantastic and I encouraged her to write an article for #edutopia. I’m so glad she did. I try to channel my inner Mr Rogers along with a splash of Bill Nye! 🤷♂️
“Fred Rogers taught us that each individual child is special … and that the small, peaceful moments we share together have a huge impact,” elementary teacher Cindy Michelini writes in her first article for Edutopia. 🧡
Here’s her Mister Rogers–inspired approach to SEL:
#SEL #EarlyChildhoodEducation
Here’s her Mister Rogers–inspired approach to SEL:
#SEL #EarlyChildhoodEducation
A Fred Rogers–Inspired Approach to SEL
Elementary teachers can focus on these fundamentals of child development to support social and emotional learning.
edut.to
November 6, 2025 at 4:43 PM
I saw a session by this author at ISTE a few years ago. It was fantastic and I encouraged her to write an article for #edutopia. I’m so glad she did. I try to channel my inner Mr Rogers along with a splash of Bill Nye! 🤷♂️
Reposted by John Thomas
Also do any rich people or businesses follow me and would like to pledge to match our donation total at the end of our fund drive???
Ed Books Against Hunger: in one week, educators from across the country have raised $1113 for our local book banks! You can enter to win an amazing book at bit.ly/EdBooksAgain..., or contribute to our total and put n/a for address if you don't need another book on your TBR :)
November 6, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Also do any rich people or businesses follow me and would like to pledge to match our donation total at the end of our fund drive???
Such great questions and ideas here.
In our first Jam Session, teacher Kathy-Ann St. Hill-St. Lawrence (a.k.a. Ms. Saint) will break down how she supports learning across content areas through gamification!
Join us for tips, resources, and advice directly from Ms. Saint, other educators, and the Edutopia team: https://edut.to/3X434xV
Join us for tips, resources, and advice directly from Ms. Saint, other educators, and the Edutopia team: https://edut.to/3X434xV
November 6, 2025 at 4:24 AM
Such great questions and ideas here.
This week, I used this article, along with others from the Edutopia website, in a workshop where I taught abou several types of breaks. The teachers in my workshop loved the content!
A brain break is *not* a time-out from learning! No matter your grade level, our resource collection has an activity to kick off productivity and creativity in your classroom. 🧠🌟
#BrainBreaks #EduSky
#BrainBreaks #EduSky
Brain Breaks for Your Classroom
A collection of our popular articles and videos illuminating the benefits of taking breaks on student productivity, creativity, well-being, and more!
edut.to
November 6, 2025 at 4:00 AM
This week, I used this article, along with others from the Edutopia website, in a workshop where I taught abou several types of breaks. The teachers in my workshop loved the content!
Reposted by John Thomas
today I'm pissed off that children will starve while the wealthy finance a gilded ballroom, so I'm channeling energy & creating a food bank funding drive using my platform/connections. grateful for @prisonculture.bsky.social consistently in my feed encouraging us to do something with what we've got
October 28, 2025 at 6:04 PM
today I'm pissed off that children will starve while the wealthy finance a gilded ballroom, so I'm channeling energy & creating a food bank funding drive using my platform/connections. grateful for @prisonculture.bsky.social consistently in my feed encouraging us to do something with what we've got
Reposted by John Thomas
From leftover carrot ends 🥕 ... to deeper learning 🧠?
🎧 Listen in & learn how this plant-drawing activity works in the new episode of @edutopia.org's podcast: apple.co/4qvlV2D
🎧 Listen in & learn how this plant-drawing activity works in the new episode of @edutopia.org's podcast: apple.co/4qvlV2D
The Extraordinary Impact of Drawing to Learn
Podcast Episode · School of Practice · 10/28/2025 · 21m
apple.co
October 29, 2025 at 4:10 PM
From leftover carrot ends 🥕 ... to deeper learning 🧠?
🎧 Listen in & learn how this plant-drawing activity works in the new episode of @edutopia.org's podcast: apple.co/4qvlV2D
🎧 Listen in & learn how this plant-drawing activity works in the new episode of @edutopia.org's podcast: apple.co/4qvlV2D
I begin each year asking my primary Ss when they raise a hand, if they’re OK with making a mistake. I model shrugging shoulders when I make mistakes. Doing this for the first six weeks sets the tone for encouraging everybody to contribute to discussions, even when they’re wrong.
How do you get the whole class talking, not just the extroverted few?
Teacher educator Brent Saccucci says that dynamic class dialogue starts with understanding common student anxieties.
Let’s talk about it.
🧵1/7 #EduSky
Teacher educator Brent Saccucci says that dynamic class dialogue starts with understanding common student anxieties.
Let’s talk about it.
🧵1/7 #EduSky
October 22, 2025 at 11:12 AM
I begin each year asking my primary Ss when they raise a hand, if they’re OK with making a mistake. I model shrugging shoulders when I make mistakes. Doing this for the first six weeks sets the tone for encouraging everybody to contribute to discussions, even when they’re wrong.
Place-based education is SO engaging at all levels!
Here’s how a sandy beach and Pacific mole crabs laid the groundwork for an educator to pursue additional citizen science projects. 🦀
#HighSchoolTeacher #EduSky #ITeachScience
#HighSchoolTeacher #EduSky #ITeachScience
Teaching a Citizen Science Project in High School
A biology teacher shares learnings and takeaways from the “controlled chaos” of her class’s first citizen science project.
edut.to
October 22, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Place-based education is SO engaging at all levels!
MISTAKE #2: ASSUMING IT'S NOT AN ACADEMIC ISSUE In my experience (personal experience in school and through teaching my primary students for two consecutive years.) I think behavior issues resulting from academic challenges is even higher than 20%!
These 7 classroom management habits are common, but not the most effective. Here’s what teachers *and* the research say to do instead. 🧑🏫
#ClassroomManagement #EduSky
#ClassroomManagement #EduSky
7 Classroom Management Mistakes—and the Research on How to Fix Them
Whether our emotions get the best of us, or we fall into familiar but unproductive habits, here are 7 common classroom management mistakes, and what the research suggests you should do instead.
www.edutopia.org
July 28, 2025 at 1:34 PM
MISTAKE #2: ASSUMING IT'S NOT AN ACADEMIC ISSUE In my experience (personal experience in school and through teaching my primary students for two consecutive years.) I think behavior issues resulting from academic challenges is even higher than 20%!
A powerful quote about working towards sustainable leadership from an @edutopia.org article for leaders by @mattpitman.com.au! “Protect your downtime fiercely. Reflect deeply. Then reimagine bravely.“ www.edutopia.org/article/summ... #edu
My Annual 3-Part Summer Leadership Ritual
A school leader explains how he uses the summer to reflect on what has worked well and how to adjust where necessary.
www.edutopia.org
July 27, 2025 at 11:24 PM
A powerful quote about working towards sustainable leadership from an @edutopia.org article for leaders by @mattpitman.com.au! “Protect your downtime fiercely. Reflect deeply. Then reimagine bravely.“ www.edutopia.org/article/summ... #edu
Reposted by John Thomas
Instructional coach @mrrablin.bsky.social shows teachers how to begin with standards-based grading, breaking the work down with practical, usable strategies. 💯
#assessment #EduSky
#assessment #EduSky
Setting Up Standards-Based Grading in a Traditional School
Individual teachers may feel like they can’t implement standards-based grading on their own, but an educator who managed it in a variety of schools over a decade explains how it can be done.
edut.to
July 24, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Instructional coach @mrrablin.bsky.social shows teachers how to begin with standards-based grading, breaking the work down with practical, usable strategies. 💯
#assessment #EduSky
#assessment #EduSky
Reposted by John Thomas
The final question in this #EduInFocus slow chat:
What’s something you used to believe about instructional rounds, but no longer do?
We’d love to hear your thoughts! 💭
What’s something you used to believe about instructional rounds, but no longer do?
We’d love to hear your thoughts! 💭
June 19, 2025 at 6:59 PM
The final question in this #EduInFocus slow chat:
What’s something you used to believe about instructional rounds, but no longer do?
We’d love to hear your thoughts! 💭
What’s something you used to believe about instructional rounds, but no longer do?
We’d love to hear your thoughts! 💭
Reposted by John Thomas
Q2 in this slow chat: What insights have your rounds uncovered, and how have they informed next steps?
Join the conversation anytime using #EduInFocus. 🔍 💬
Look out for the next question tomorrow at noon PT.
Join the conversation anytime using #EduInFocus. 🔍 💬
Look out for the next question tomorrow at noon PT.
June 18, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Q2 in this slow chat: What insights have your rounds uncovered, and how have they informed next steps?
Join the conversation anytime using #EduInFocus. 🔍 💬
Look out for the next question tomorrow at noon PT.
Join the conversation anytime using #EduInFocus. 🔍 💬
Look out for the next question tomorrow at noon PT.
Reposted by John Thomas
Welcome to #EduInFocus! 🔍
This time, we’re bringing instructional rounds into focus, and our host is @jorgedoespbl.bsky.social.
Join us for this slow chat as we explore how they can inspire learning and growth. We want to hear from you!
This time, we’re bringing instructional rounds into focus, and our host is @jorgedoespbl.bsky.social.
Join us for this slow chat as we explore how they can inspire learning and growth. We want to hear from you!
June 17, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Welcome to #EduInFocus! 🔍
This time, we’re bringing instructional rounds into focus, and our host is @jorgedoespbl.bsky.social.
Join us for this slow chat as we explore how they can inspire learning and growth. We want to hear from you!
This time, we’re bringing instructional rounds into focus, and our host is @jorgedoespbl.bsky.social.
Join us for this slow chat as we explore how they can inspire learning and growth. We want to hear from you!
Such great tips here! Thanks @edutopia.org
Skip the trial and error! ⏩ These research-backed approaches to tech integration are tried and true (plus, you can start using them right now).
#EdTech #EduSky
#EdTech #EduSky
7 Research-Backed Tech Tips You Can Use Today
From AI tutors that actually work to a simple trick for beating back digital distractions.
edut.to
June 2, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Such great tips here! Thanks @edutopia.org
Reposted by John Thomas
Checking out books is just the beginning! This library is the school’s social hub. 👥 📖
Discover how they’re going beyond traditional library practices—and creating a space where students feel like they belong.
#TLSky #Skybrarians
Discover how they’re going beyond traditional library practices—and creating a space where students feel like they belong.
#TLSky #Skybrarians
Making the Library a More Welcoming Space
By offering flexible areas and creative activities that give students a chance to relax and connect, the library can become a haven for belonging—and the heart of a school.
edut.to
June 2, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Checking out books is just the beginning! This library is the school’s social hub. 👥 📖
Discover how they’re going beyond traditional library practices—and creating a space where students feel like they belong.
#TLSky #Skybrarians
Discover how they’re going beyond traditional library practices—and creating a space where students feel like they belong.
#TLSky #Skybrarians
Reposted by John Thomas
Try these activities to maximize the impact of read-alouds in your preschool, kindergarten, or early elementary classroom! edut.to/45hpfWK
#PreK #kindergarten #literacy #EarlyChildhoodEducation
#PreK #kindergarten #literacy #EarlyChildhoodEducation
May 24, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Try these activities to maximize the impact of read-alouds in your preschool, kindergarten, or early elementary classroom! edut.to/45hpfWK
#PreK #kindergarten #literacy #EarlyChildhoodEducation
#PreK #kindergarten #literacy #EarlyChildhoodEducation
Reposted by John Thomas
If you're seeing this, you're probably interested in:
🧰 Practical teaching strategies
📊 Research-backed practices
💡 Stories from real educators
Follow our team for *even more* posts in your feed highlighting what works in education!
#EduSky #teachers #education
🧰 Practical teaching strategies
📊 Research-backed practices
💡 Stories from real educators
Follow our team for *even more* posts in your feed highlighting what works in education!
#EduSky #teachers #education
May 20, 2025 at 11:49 PM
If you're seeing this, you're probably interested in:
🧰 Practical teaching strategies
📊 Research-backed practices
💡 Stories from real educators
Follow our team for *even more* posts in your feed highlighting what works in education!
#EduSky #teachers #education
🧰 Practical teaching strategies
📊 Research-backed practices
💡 Stories from real educators
Follow our team for *even more* posts in your feed highlighting what works in education!
#EduSky #teachers #education
Reposted by John Thomas
“Intrinsic motivation serves as the foundation for lifelong learning,” @techysewell.com says. These practical strategies can help cultivate it. 🌻
#ElementaryTeacher #EduSky
#ElementaryTeacher #EduSky
6 Ways to Inspire Intrinsic Motivation in Elementary Students
These strategies encourage students to explore, learn, and grow without the expectation of rewards.
edut.to
May 12, 2025 at 2:52 AM
“Intrinsic motivation serves as the foundation for lifelong learning,” @techysewell.com says. These practical strategies can help cultivate it. 🌻
#ElementaryTeacher #EduSky
#ElementaryTeacher #EduSky
Reposted by John Thomas
Create a dedicated space in your classroom that encourages engagement, amplifies student voice, and guides learning! Here’s how. 🌟
#kindergarten #StudentEngagement
#kindergarten #StudentEngagement
Cultivating Curiosity in Kindergarten
Teachers can support students’ natural curiosity by creating a spot for them to post their questions, which can be the basis for future lessons.
edut.to
May 12, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Create a dedicated space in your classroom that encourages engagement, amplifies student voice, and guides learning! Here’s how. 🌟
#kindergarten #StudentEngagement
#kindergarten #StudentEngagement
Reposted by John Thomas
You wear a lot of hats as a teacher. 🧢 Here’s how putting on the “student hat” can help you create a classroom that’s more human, more connected, and more effective.
#teachers #EduSky #StudentEngagement
#teachers #EduSky #StudentEngagement
Wearing the ‘Student Hat’
Working to understand the students’ experience of the class gives teachers a way to see where they can make improvements.
edut.to
May 13, 2025 at 1:12 AM
You wear a lot of hats as a teacher. 🧢 Here’s how putting on the “student hat” can help you create a classroom that’s more human, more connected, and more effective.
#teachers #EduSky #StudentEngagement
#teachers #EduSky #StudentEngagement
Reposted by John Thomas
From teach.reflect.repeat on IG: “My favourite thing to do before introducing a concept is asking students open-ended questions!
Why?
🧠 It helps shows what they they already know
🗣️they have to explain their thinking
💛 they learn to understand each others perspective”
#MathSky #ITeachMath
Why?
🧠 It helps shows what they they already know
🗣️they have to explain their thinking
💛 they learn to understand each others perspective”
#MathSky #ITeachMath
May 7, 2025 at 2:23 AM
From teach.reflect.repeat on IG: “My favourite thing to do before introducing a concept is asking students open-ended questions!
Why?
🧠 It helps shows what they they already know
🗣️they have to explain their thinking
💛 they learn to understand each others perspective”
#MathSky #ITeachMath
Why?
🧠 It helps shows what they they already know
🗣️they have to explain their thinking
💛 they learn to understand each others perspective”
#MathSky #ITeachMath