As a former secondary science teacher, I know how hard y’all work and plan to create meaningful lessons and activities for your students and are always striving to do what’s best for them. That’s why whenever Teacher Appreciation Week rolls around, I want to take time to say thank you and appreciate the teachers in my life, which includes you! To help celebrate this time, I wanted to reflect on four of my personal favorite and most influential teachers and share what I’ve learned from each of them.

While there are many teachers who influenced my life, four individuals stand out from the rest. Whether I was their student or co-worker, each of them taught me a valuable lesson, skill, or perspective that I implemented in my own teaching. Some of the things I mention might seem obvious, but it’s also the way they approached their classroom or students that made them so effective, memorable, and influential.

After listening to each of the four things I learned, I hope they help show you that the small things really do matter, and even if you don’t think you are, you’re making a long-term impact on your students. So just like I took some time to reflect on the most influential teachers in my life, make some time to do the same and reach out to your most influential teachers to tell them how much you appreciate them!

Resources Mentioned:

• Anatomy of a Class Period Freebie
• Sweet Tea Reaction Rate Lab
• Enzyme Lab
• Free Parent Communication Log
• Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge
• Send me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.science
• Send me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts

Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode129

A group of people who are educators who don’t always get a lot of credit but also put in a lot of work are administrators. And with National Administration Appreciation Day a few days ago, I wanted to take some time to give some praise and kudos to those administrators who are trustworthy, support teachers, and care about the students in their school. So, in today’s episode, I’m reflecting back on a few of my favorite administrators and sharing some qualities they embodied that I appreciated so much.

When I look back on my time as a teacher in the classroom, I had three really good administrators. Some of their great qualities I appreciated at the moment, and some of them I can see the position they took and their demeanor actually benefited me, my students, and our school, even though I didn’t see it at the time. Each administrator was so different, but each of them encompassed these same qualities: trustworthy, supported teachers, and cared for the students. I believe these three things are so important, but I also appreciated the other unique characteristics each of them had that I shared in the episode.

It’s important to acknowledge that administrators are human too, so they aren’t perfect and won’t do everything that you agree with. However, if their heart is in the right place, you feel supported by them, which, in return, supports your students; there’s not much more you can ask for. So, take some time this week to share with your administrator just how much you appreciate their work, effort, and support!

Resources Mentioned:

• Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge
• Send me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.science
• Send me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts

Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode128

We’ve made it to our final episode in our AP science teacher interview series, and I’ve saved the best for last! When I sent out a survey several months ago, y’all requested to have him make another guest appearance, so here he is, Zach Matson! Teaching AP Chemistry for several decades, he has gained so much experience, knowledge, and tips that are going to help you be successful in teaching in your classroom.

Even if you teach another AP science discipline, Zach first shares general tips and advice for any teacher, which revolves around unit exams, practice AP exams, when and how often to use FRQs, and which resources give you the most bang for your buck. As we get further into discussing AP Chemistry content, Zach discusses even more valuable information. He has a wonderful outlook on which content you should cover, how to balance the content, exams, and labs, and still have enough time for review. His ideas and outlook on the life lessons students can get out of the class are refreshing and will help you feel less stressed about the final AP exam.

Zach has always been so passionate about his philosophies in teaching and how he delivers content to his students, which is why he has so much to share and offer other AP Chemistry teachers or just teachers in general. There’s no question why he’s the most requested guest and I know that whatever subject you teach, AP or general, you will be left with a new perspective and ideas to implement in your own classroom!

Resources Mentioned:

• Adrian Dingle AP Chem Prep Book
• AP Chemistry Facebook Group
• Download your FREE Classroom Reset Challenge
• Send me a DM on Instagram: @its.not.rocket.science
• Send me an email: rebecca@itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com
• Follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts

Show Notes: https://itsnotrocketscienceclassroom.com/episode127