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Teaching is meaningful work—but it’s also heavy. This space exists to hold both truths. Here, we talk about literacy, mental health, and the real experience of being an educator without pretending burnout is normal or necessary.
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Welcome to The Reading Teacher's Educational Journey
We are all told, “live your life to the fullest”; I am here to do just that. The Reading Teacher's Educational Journey serves as a vessel to project my passions, and clue in my loyal readers as to what inspires me in this crazy world as an educator. So, sit back, relax, learn and read on.

"The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts."
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Designing Effective Teacher Wellness Initiatives
Teaching is a beautiful, challenging journey. It’s like tending a garden - nurturing young minds, watching them grow, and blooming with every success. But just like any gardener knows, the soil needs care too. That’s where teacher wellness initiatives come in. They are the sunshine and rain that keep educators thriving, not just surviving. Let’s dive into how we can design these programs to truly support the heart and soul of education. Why Teacher Wellness Initiatives Matter

Sebrina.Perkins
4 days ago4 min read


Mastering Instructional Coaching Techniques for Teachers
Instructional coaching is like planting a garden where every seed has the potential to bloom into something extraordinary. As someone who has walked the path of both teaching and coaching, I can tell you that mastering instructional coaching techniques is a journey filled with discovery, growth, and a lot of heart. It’s about nurturing teachers’ strengths, gently guiding them through challenges, and celebrating every small victory along the way. Let’s dive into this vibrant w

Sebrina.Perkins
Apr 74 min read


Mastering Instructional Coaching Techniques for Teachers
Instructional coaching is like planting a garden where every seed has the potential to bloom into something extraordinary. As someone who has walked the path of both teaching and coaching, I can tell you that mastering instructional coaching techniques is a journey filled with discovery, growth, and a lot of heart. It’s about nurturing teachers’ strengths, gently guiding them through challenges, and celebrating every small victory along the way. Let’s dive into this vibrant w

Sebrina.Perkins
Mar 314 min read


Designing Effective Teacher Wellness Initiatives
Teaching is a beautiful, challenging journey. Every day, we pour our hearts into shaping young minds, often putting our own well-being on the back burner. But what if we could nurture ourselves just as much as we nurture our students? Designing effective teacher wellness initiatives is like planting a garden - with the right care, attention, and tools, it blossoms into a thriving space where educators feel supported, energized, and valued. Let’s explore how to cultivate these

Sebrina.Perkins
Mar 254 min read


Finding Community in Online Teacher Support: Embracing Online Teacher Communities
Teaching is a journey filled with moments of joy, challenge, and endless learning. Yet, it can sometimes feel like walking a winding path alone. That’s where the magic of online teacher communities comes in. These vibrant spaces are like cozy campfires where educators gather to share stories, swap ideas, and find encouragement. I’ve found that connecting with fellow teachers online not only sparks fresh inspiration but also nurtures a sense of belonging that fuels my passion

Sebrina.Perkins
Mar 183 min read


Teacher Life Balance Tips: Achieving Balance in Teaching and Life
Teaching is a beautiful, rewarding profession, but it can also feel like a juggling act on a tightrope. Between lesson planning, grading, meetings, and personal commitments, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. I’ve been there, and I know how important it is to find that sweet spot where work and life dance together in harmony. Let’s explore some practical, uplifting ways to achieve balance in teaching and life, so you can thrive both inside and outside the classroom. Embracing the

Sebrina.Perkins
Mar 174 min read


Practical Teacher Burnout Recovery: Embracing New Energy in the Classroom
Burnout can sneak up on us like a slow fog rolling in on a quiet morning. One day, you’re energized and ready to inspire, and the next, you feel drained, overwhelmed, and questioning your passion. I’ve been there, and I know how tough it can be. But here’s the good news: teacher burnout recovery is not only possible, it can be a journey filled with growth, self-discovery, and renewed joy. Let’s explore some practical, heartwarming solutions that can help us reclaim our spark

Sebrina.Perkins
Mar 123 min read


What Real Engagement Looks Like in the ELA Classroom: A Journey to Meaningful Learning
For years, teachers have been told the same thing: If students aren’t engaged, you need to make the lesson more exciting. Add a stronger hook. Include more movement. Make it more interactive. Compete for their attention. Over time, engagement has quietly become a performance. Teachers feel pressure to keep the room energetic and entertaining, while students learn to associate learning with activity rather than thinking. The result is a cycle that leaves teachers exhausted

Sebrina.Perkins
Mar 74 min read
When a Trash Can Feels Like a Funeral
Today I sat in my car. Not the cute “let me take a quick breather before car rider duty” kind of sit. I mean the close the door, stare at the steering wheel, blink back tears, question your entire existence in education kind of sit. Because something sentimental — something I’ve had since I first stepped into this profession bright-eyed and hopeful — was thrown away. Not misplaced.Not tucked into the wrong drawer.Not borrowed. Thrown. Away. And I didn’t even know until after

Sebrina.Perkins
Mar 23 min read


Creative Teacher New Year Wishes to Inspire and Uplift
As the calendar flips to a fresh page, the air buzzes with new possibilities and bright hopes. It’s the perfect moment to pause and send heartfelt wishes to those who shape minds and nurture dreams - our teachers. Crafting creative New Year wishes for teachers is more than a tradition; it’s a celebration of their dedication and a spark to fuel their passion for the year ahead. Let’s dive into some inspiring ways to express gratitude and encouragement that resonate deeply and

Sebrina.Perkins
Feb 233 min read


Empowering Teachers Through Instructional Coaching: Unlocking the Benefits of Instructional Coaching
Teaching is a journey filled with moments of discovery, challenge, and growth. As educators, we often find ourselves navigating the vast ocean of pedagogy, searching for ways to enhance our craft and better serve our students. Instructional coaching is like a lighthouse guiding us through this journey, offering support, insight, and encouragement. Today, I want to share how instructional coaching can empower teachers, illuminate their strengths, and open doors to new possibil

Sebrina.Perkins
Feb 213 min read
When Leadership Feels Like Bullying: Protecting Your Mental Health in Difficult School Spaces
No one enters education expecting to protect themselves from leadership. We prepare for lesson plans. For parent emails. For state testing. For student behavior. For long hours and longer weeks. We do not prepare for feeling small in staff meetings. Recently, a fellow educator shared that her principal belittles staff, threatens them with evaluations, and uses authority as intimidation. She said something that sat heavy with me: “I love teaching. I just don’t feel suppo

Sebrina.Perkins
Feb 203 min read


Teacher Work-Life Balance Tips: Achieving Balance in Your Teaching Life
Teaching is a beautiful, rewarding journey, but it can also feel like a whirlwind at times. Between lesson planning, grading, meetings, and the endless to-do lists, it’s easy to lose sight of yourself. I’ve been there, feeling like I’m juggling flaming torches while walking a tightrope. But guess what? Achieving balance in your teaching life is not just a dream—it’s absolutely possible! Let’s dive into some practical, uplifting strategies to help you find that sweet spot wher

Sebrina.Perkins
Feb 134 min read


Effective Instructional Coaching for Teachers: Techniques That Truly Work
Stepping into the world of instructional coaching feels a bit like tending a garden. You plant seeds of ideas, nurture growth with encouragement, and watch as vibrant learning blossoms. Over the years, I’ve discovered that effective instructional coaching for teachers is not just about sharing tips but about building relationships, fostering trust, and sparking genuine curiosity. Let’s dive into some energizing techniques that can transform coaching sessions into powerful mom

Sebrina.Perkins
Feb 124 min read


Top Strategies to Combat Teacher Burnout Effectively
Burnout can sneak up on us like a slow-setting fog, dimming the bright passion that once fueled our classrooms. I’ve been there—feeling drained, overwhelmed, and questioning if I still have what it takes. But here’s the good news: burnout isn’t a dead end. It’s a signal, a nudge to pause, reflect, and recharge. Together, let’s explore some uplifting, practical strategies to combat teacher burnout effectively and rekindle that spark that makes teaching such a rewarding journe

Sebrina.Perkins
Feb 114 min read


Essential Wellness Programs for Teachers Explained
Teaching is a beautiful journey, but it can also be a whirlwind of challenges. Between lesson planning, grading, and managing classrooms, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. That’s why wellness programs designed specifically for educators are like a breath of fresh air—offering support, balance, and a chance to recharge. Today, I want to share some essential wellness programs that can truly transform the teaching experience. Let’s dive in and explore how these programs can nurture

Sebrina.Perkins
Feb 94 min read


Snow Days Aren’t a Cure for Burnout
Snow days don’t feel the way they used to. They used to mean quiet. A slow morning. Coffee while watching the snow fall. Your body finally unclenching a little. Now… they feel heavy. Your inbox is full before you’re even fully awake. There’s a “quick check-in.” A reminder to upload something. An unspoken expectation that since you’re home, you’re still on . And somehow, a day that should have felt like relief just feels like school—without the building. That wears on people.

Sebrina.Perkins
Jan 272 min read


From Instruction to Insight: Using Wayground to Make Student Thinking Visible
On The Reading Teacher’s Journey, I often reflect on the space between what we teach and what students truly understand. In ELA, that space can feel especially wide. Students may complete an assignment, but their thinking remains hidden until it shows up later—often too late. That’s why I intentionally used Wayground in my classroom to measure student understanding of 6.RI.KID.3. I wasn’t looking for another score to record. I was looking for meaningful data—data that could t

Sebrina.Perkins
Jan 161 min read
A New Semester, A Gentle Reset
Winter break often arrives quietly—but its impact can be powerful. For many teachers, it’s one of the few times in the year when the noise softens: no bells, no lesson plans due at midnight, no constant emotional labor. It’s a pause that allows us to exhale, even if just a little. As we step into a new semester, I want to begin with this simple hope: I hope you took care of your mental health. Not in a picture-perfect, productivity-filled way—but in the way you needed. Maybe

Sebrina.Perkins
Jan 22 min read
When the Seasons Change: A Heartfelt Message to Teachers Battling Seasonal Depression
This morning, a teacher friend looked me in the eyes and whispered, “I’m depressed.” Not stressed. Not tired. Not overwhelmed. Depressed. And the truth is… she’s not alone. Across our schools, behind classroom doors and cheerful bulletin boards, so many educators are quietly fighting the same battle. With the time change, colder weather, shorter days, and the nonstop pace of teaching, seasonal depression has a way of creeping in before we even notice. As teachers and educato

Sebrina.Perkins
Nov 19, 20252 min read








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