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.

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.

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.