Notes from the Inkpot
Writing, teaching, creating - one ink-stained idea at a time.
The Back-to-School Writing Task That Helps Me Understand Every Student
One simple writing task. That’s all it takes to start building real relationships with your students. Here’s the first-week activity I always use to understand who’s in front of me, and why it works year after year.
7 Free English Classroom Resources I Actually Use (And Still Love)
Seven free English teaching resources I’ve actually used in real classrooms. From creative writing prompts to post-reading tasks, these are my go-to freebies that still hold up, and they’re all ready to download.
What Writing Taught Me About My Own Emotions (And How It Can Help Students Too)
Writing has always helped me untangle what’s going on in my own head, and it can do the same for students. In this post, I’m sharing how I teach personal narrative early in the year, why it’s linked to SEL, and how writing has helped me understand myself better.
7 Surprisingly Creative Ways English Teachers Can Use AI (That Don’t Involve Marking Essays)
Most AI-in-education advice focuses on grading and admin. But in the English classroom, that’s not always the issue that needs to be solved. This post shares 7 genuinely creative ways to use AI that support writing, analysis, differentiation, and reading, all designed to save time without losing your voice as a teacher.
Adolescence on Netflix: What It Reveals About Our Boys and Why Teachers Should Watch It
A gripping, real-time series, Adolescence doesn’t just tell a story, it forces us to confront one. Following the radicalisation of a 13-year-old boy who murders his classmate after she calls him an incel, this four-part drama explores how misogyny, isolation, and online influence can collide in devastating ways. In this post, I reflect on what the show gets right, how it mirrors the challenges in our schools, and why teachers should be paying close attention.
Velvet Shadows and Candlelight: Why Darkness Belongs in the Classroom
Why are teens drawn to dystopias, gothic settings, and grief-soaked poetry? The answer might be simpler than you think. In this post, we explore how darker stories offer emotional depth, powerful writing opportunities, and space for healing inside the classroom.
10 Big Themes to Teach in Literature (That Students Actually Care About)
Tired of trying to make students care about literature? Start with themes that actually mean something to them. These ten big ideas - from identity and injustice to grief and resilience - are the ones students really connect with. Plus, I’ve included text suggestions and creative ways to teach each one.
Imposter Syndrome Is Lying to You: How to Own Your Voice in Teaching and Creativity
We don’t talk about it often, but imposter syndrome is everywhere in teaching - even among the most experienced educators. It doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you care. And that’s a powerful place to start. In this post, I’m sharing my own experience with doubt, growth, and why your voice matters more than you think.