"Help me if you can, I'm feeling down"

Help! by The Beatles

​

Hi there,

We are inching closer to the end of the school year- but there's one big obstacle between students and summer break: and that's testing 😳

If your child is in public school it's unavoidable- every state has countless mandated tests for all grade levels. Many private schools have their own tests too. Once a child hits third grade, the testing gets more serious. This is because the federal government keeps track of third grade reading levels and how they correlate to their lives as adults.

So how can we take the pressure off kids?

It starts with us: If we complain about the test, they will complain out the test. If we seem stressed about it, they will get the message to be stressed. So I recommend staying calm. Then, if they come to you with big feelings, you can give them validation and love instead of extra things to worry about.

Tell them what to expect: Before the test, give them a brief overview of what to expect in their day. Don't forget to include what will happen after the test (they will probably have recess and resume their school day) and any fun details- like a special treat in their lunch.

Define "do your best:" Kids will hear endlessly that they need to do their best- but to many that translates to "be perfect." They should understand it actually means "you really tried." Sometimes doing your best means you really thought it over, but still had to pick a random answer.

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🎥 Behind the scenes: I am looking back at my old videos and newsletters to see what I can revamp for viewers. I always get nervous looking back at old projects, but I've been really delighted to see I think most of them are really good. I learned a good lesson there to be proud of myself even if I've changed.

​This video is a great example of what I am working on to improve Primary Focus- the title Why I Need to Know About Your Divorce is vague and doesn't call out an audience. I am working to rebrand videos like this so they get a better chance on Youtube.

📚 Cover to cover: I just finished the book Wrong Place, Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister and it is a page turner! It's a murder mystery novel written backwards. In the first chapter a mother witnesses her 18 year old son kill someone. The she is launched in a time loop moving backwards each day to find out what really happened. The writing is really clever and I had no guesses on what really happened til the end.

👟 fresh sneakers: I love my white sneakers but they are so hard to keep clean. I tried these sneaker sponges and they do the trick! They are like a small magic eraser, but made specifically for shoes.

Have a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend!

Summertime by Ella Fitzgerald...and famously covered by Sublime

Hey there,

💕 Happy belated Mother's Day 💕

Summer break is on its way! This is a time of year where teacher communication can dial wayyyyy back. Just like parents, teachers are focused on closing out the school year with testing, paperwork, and all the activities "Maycember" brings.

But before you say goodbye for good make sure you ask your child's teacher these 3 questions:

1. What is a skill that my child should work on? Even if your child is excelling in school, it's worth asking this. All children regress at least a little over the summer, so you want to reinforce topics they aren't confident in yet.

2. What are common challenges for children in the next grade level? For example, children in 2nd grade will read much longer texts with fewer pictures. So you could select books like that to get familiar with over the summer.

3. What is a strength my child has? You may never know how someone else sees your kiddo 😊

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🎥 Short Videos: Since I am on hiatus from long videos, I've been having fun making new short videos. I've got one coming out today comparing how I look to pictures students drew of me. 😂

🧜‍♀️ Mermaid Vibes: My friend showed me this amazing body glitter and I'm obsessed! It's a gel that builds up and is safe to use on your face. The glitter flakes are really big and create a magical look that would have had my kindergarten girls swooning. The glitter comes in 8 dreamy colors.

🧖‍♀️ Back to normal: ...and when you're done looking like a mermaid, the glitter comes right off with micellar water. I love this because it's gentle on sensitive skin + eyes. I also use it to clean my beauty blenders!

👛 Summer bag: I have been converted to the belt bag. I found a really cute one that comes in almost 100 different colors and styles. It's perfect for longs days of travel (it holds my kindle!) and keeping my hands free. I got light blue and I might get it in black too.

Happy early birthday to my better half- Mike ❤️

Have a great week!

And if you are a teacher- thanks! Make sure you've done your research on all the free goodies and discounts you can get this week.

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🎥 Behind the scenes: I met with a designer yesterday to talk about creating a logo, brand colors, and the overall aesthetic for Primary Focus. It was incredible to see her skill. I come from an industry where it's still socially acceptable to use comic sans for everything, so I'm happy to hand off branding to an expert! Within a few weeks I will be able to debut it to you.

👚 The perfect shirt doesn't exs- I found a shirt that that's the perfect length for high waisted jeans. It's lightweight, stretchy, and comes in lots of colors. Most importantly- it is not a crop top. Check it out here. Get 20% off with code: primaryfocus_

🟩 Travel season: When you're traveling it can be easy to load up on screen time, so I found an alternative to get them thinking. These magnetic tangrams will challenge your kiddo to use shapes to create pictures. They have over 200 ideas and a magnetic board so they can use it anywhere.

Next week I'm going to share the important question you need to ask your child's teacher before summer break begins.

Til then,

Last week I told you why my students used to hate me. It all changed when I read Teaching with Love & Logic. They make a few versions for parents, teachers, and various age levels.

It basically shows the adult in the room how to remain the calmest person there ready for anything. You learn how to be consistent, empathetic, trustworthy and at times a little disarming. But most importantly, it shows kids that you do things because - you love them and its logical.

Best of all- it's widely known in the world of teaching, so chances are kids will encounter at least one teacher who uses this method. If you're interested check out their YouTube channel with tons of tidbits. The production is a little old school- but the advice is still fresh 😉

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🎥 Behind the Scenes: I don't have a video to show you this week...I'm working behind the scenes to update my branding and look at my goals for Primary Focus. I'm working with someone from a very successful Youtube channel who sees my vision. I can't wait for you to see how Primary Focus evolves over the next few months. I'll still be posting short form videos, but for now the longer ones are on brief hiatus.

✏️ Funny teacher appreciation: A newsletter subscriber sent me this funny candle she is getting for teacher appreciation week (May 8-12). I actually lol'd when I saw it, so it's teacher approved.

🍎 NYC: Last weekend I visited my friend in New York. We had a blast exploring the city and catching up. We saw the Broadway Musical & Juliet. It was incredible! It uses songs from the 90s and 2000s to tell the story of Juliet...if she hadn't died at the end of Romeo and Juliet. The message was so good. It was a great show for all ages (there is a little bit of swearing in pop songs).

🧳 Packing Cubes: I tried using these packing cubes during my trip and I'm hooked! Since I was staying in my friend's small NYC apartment they helped me stay organized. It was extra helpful since I learned her dog likes laundry- sorry Fido, my things were locked away!

Til next week,

Last week I explained intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. It may seem like one is better than the other, but from my experience in the classroom- reality is somewhere in the middle.

I used to lean heavily on extrinsic rewards. It worked at first, but soon my students started complaining about the rewards. If the prize was candy they didn't like, they would opt out of the task. My class became needy, whiney, and worked for prizes. By the end of the school year my class was unruly and apathetic. Nothing meant anything to them. They didn't listen to me, they didn't care about prizes, and they didn't have pride in their work.

So, I changed my approach:

At the beginning of the school year I gave away very few rewards. I encouraged intrinsic motivation as my students became comfortable with class routines.

This was for two reasons:

1. I was teaching important routines that would need to be done on a daily basis. Rewarding students for simple things like unpacking their backpack or putting their name on a paper is unsustainable. If they were working for constant prizes, they would miss the point that these are the simple tasks.

2. They learned to praise themselves. I didn't need to be the most excited person in the room, since any little bit of energy I gave would be amplified by the kids. So a calm, happy teacher gave them room to feel the satisfaction of going through routines. They got to feel what it was like moving with the group, keeping up expectations, and making their own self proud.

By November, my class would often be in a distinct slump. That's when I would bring out the extrinsic rewards. For the rest of the year I would still prioritize intrinsic motivation, but when the time was right, I would reward a child for going the extra mile. I showed them what I valued by giving prizes when for being "extra clever" or "extra helpful."

Since I didn't give out too many extrinsic motivators, when I was feeling sick or tired I could lean on them. If a few skittles was going to get us through the day- then why not?

Was I withholding? No. I was still warm, gave compliments, and encouraged my students to succeed. I just left room for them also praise their hard work. It wasn't about earning my love. They needed to feel love from within.

I found balance in taking an approach to motivation which was heavily intrinsic, with occasional dashes of extrinsic motivation for outstanding work.

What tools keep you and your learners motivated? Reply to this email with your favorite tip for keeping your kiddos reaching for more. I'd love to hear from you!

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🎁 Gifts for Teacher Assistants: My most recent video was suggested by newsletter subscriber, Nona! 😄 I share the best gifts for teacher assistants. You can watch it here. ​

🦁 Zoo trip: Last weekend Mike and I went to the Riverbanks Zoo for his early birthday gift. It was a really cute zoo. Since the weather was nice, all the animals were really active. We loved watching the giraffes running around.

🐈‍⬛ The perfect dog cat bed: Our cat, Jet, loves to lounge. After spending his formative years as a street cat, he now spends his days snuggled up in blankets. We bough him this soft bed that has a built in blanket! He's been tucked into it ever since.

📱Charging cord holder: Every time I plopped into bed, I would end up reaching down to blindly fish around for my charging cord. Mike got me this simple solution: it's an adhesive clip that sticks to the side of my nightstand. Now I can always find my phone charger.

Long newsletter today! Thanks for reading- it means a lot 💕

Til next week,

"I want to stop and thank you, baby"

How Sweet It Is (to be loved by you) by your choice 🎸 Marvin Gaye or James Taylor

Did you realize two artists sang that song there?

There's a lot of philosophies out there about how to motivate children. This is because their understanding of praise and rewards can impact them long term. The way a child is encouraged to work will impact their work ethic, motivation, and even self esteem.

So whether you're team #gentleparenting, teaching with love and logic, or just winging it day to day all these approaches come back to one debate:

Should we use intrinsic or extrinsic motivation?

The fear I hear the most often is: if we give out too many rewards or if children are too afraid of consequences they will not ever know what it's like to complete a task because you are supposed to.

But, I hear the opposite too: children should get to celebrate their childhood by being rewarded. They need extrinsic encouragement and reminders that they are great.

I'll share my thoughts and strategies next week. But I'm curious what you think- how often do you reward your children or students?

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This time last year: My most recent video talks about 3 positive ways my life has changed since leaving teaching. I compare my life this week to the same time last year, and explain what I do day to day. Watch it here. ​

Outside time: I spent most of this weekend outside loving my city. I went to Charlotte Shout (immersive art festival) and Camden Commons (they shut down the street and put out furniture to hang out). I love casual events like this, it feels like I am a part of something just by showing up. I hope you can find some local markets, festivals, etc to stroll through too. 🌸

Pretty in Pink: My friend Suzanne (hi!) turned me on to these wrist weights. They are aesthetically pleasing and come in 8 colors, I got the light pink ones. I use them on my wrists or ankles for a little extra effort at the gym. ​

I hate water bottles: Mike and I try to keep sustainable habits, but what that really means is we own 10,000 water bottles. When I try to get something off the "water bottle shelf" I always knock down at least one grrr! I fixed that by buying this water bottle organizer. Now they are stacked neatly and my blood pressure has gone down 😂

Have a great week!

"Y'all gon' make me act a fool..."

Party Up by DMX

Are you singing along there?

Spring is here and soon most children in America will be waltzing back into school from spring break. Suddenly the days are longer, the weather is warmer, and just like that spring fever is here!

I don't need to reference any article to tell you- after ten years of working in schools, even the most mature students are at a significantly higher risk of acting a fool or losing their cool. 😂

So as the countdown to summer break begins, bring your patience and remember why you've worked so hard to set routines. My advice: bring your sense of humor. I used to love seeing the complete nonsense some of my students got into this time of year. Best of luck! 💐

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Easy Breath Work with Kids: I created a compilation of calming routines for kids. These are awesome to teach before your child is in their feelings. Watch it here. ​

That's not my name: I spent last week reflecting on lots of data. At one point I thought I'd make more videos for parents/teachers to use with their kids. That's why I've been calling myself "Miss Natalie." But I decided to move in a different direction and focus just on videos for adults. So, I am no longer "Miss Natalie," just Natalie. 😊

Dice, dice baby: Want a fun way to study for quizzes? Get dry erase dice! On each corner you can write sight words, multiplication tables, or any other things they need to memorize. It can turn studying into a game.

Make an entrance: I recently bought this cute patterned mat for our entry way. There is a lot of clay in the soil where I live, so after the rain I hate seeing orange footprints around the house. I fixed that by buying an orange floor mat. The dirt doesn't show and it's easy to clean.

Have a great week!

Low views, high subscribers: This video doesn't have the most views (yet!), but a lot of people that watched chose to stay around for more Primary Focus content. Should you leave teaching?

Curveball: 2 videos I made a over a year ago jumped in views. At one point I was experimenting with making videos for teachers to use. I had stopped making them- but it seems the world has a sudden interest in marsupials and panthers. These ones are perfect for watching with kids.

Fan Favorite: My Valentine's Day gift guide performed really well (most of its views came over a few days). I love making gift guides and they consistently perform well. I need your help to make another! Is there a type of teacher gift guide you'd like to see? Respond to this email to let me know.

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🇺🇸 Should we Abolish the Department of Education?: You'll often hear critics saying the federal government is pushing "woke BS" and is overly controlling of school budgets...but is that true? This videos debunks these myths and responds to ultra conservative Rep Lauren Boebert who is trying to get federal funding out of schools. Watch now.​

🏃‍♀️ Cute joggers: I live for comfy, cute clothes. I tried Parade's joggers in merlot and LOVE them. They are sooo soft. They also have them with a wide leg. Use code: PrimaryFocus_ for 20% off.

📚 Page Turner: I've been reading The Midwife of Auschwitz. It is a heartbreaking historical fiction novel about two nurses during the Holocaust. It's a hard read, but I cannot put it down.

💐 Get Outside: North Carolina is in full bloom 🌸 right now! This used to be a time of year that I stayed inside. My allergies were so bad, even 30 minutes outside would impact the rest of my day. Sometimes I would wear my mask outside during recess to stop breathing in pollen. This year it's changed. I have been getting allergy shots since August and I didn't even notice when the pollen started! I feel like my whole world has changed and I no longer need to ration my time outdoors. Is my experience something you would want to hear about in a video?

I hope you have a wonderful week!

Wages for these employees varied but on average most were making under 30K per year, averaging $16.91 per hour. The educators of LAUSD went on strike to raise their pay, fighting against "poverty wages" in one of the most famous cities in the world. They have settled at a new average hourly wage of $23.85.

...So how does this effect us? School support staff workers are often in vulnerable positions. Though they are typically part time, they work the maximum hours to be considered that (like 37.5 hours per week). They work very hard and often have to adapt to work outside their role. For example it's not uncommon for them to substitute teach or drive extra bus routes. These positions require specific training and for those working in the classroom a bachelor's degree is preferred (and in some states required).

And what I really want to drive home here is- most districts are paying these incredibly valuable essential workers meager hourly wages. It was a very big deal when my former school district raised wages to $16.50 hourly. Now, I see that was the wage LAUSD workers were going on strike over.

Keep an eye out on other districts in California, Arizona, and large cities. Like other LAUSD strikes, I predict this will start a cascade of changes/protests over the next year.

​

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💙 Nashville: Yesterday there was a devastating school shooting in Nashville, TN. If you want to support those impacted, GoFundMe has 2 verified fundraisers. To learn more about necessary policy and change, look at Everytown.org which is dedicated to ending gun violence in the US.

📝 Tales from a Teacher: I uploaded 2 new cute videos- The first is a short story describing how a student stealing pencils from me made me rethink my approach to teaching...and to life. It's great for a little inspiration. The second is a compilation of three teaching stories you may have seen on my tiktok. Good for a quick laugh.

👩‍💻 Behind the Scenes: Since it is the end of Q1 this week, I'll be taking some time to analyze data. This will help me understand what kind of content to make. Next week I'll share a roundup of my top videos from this quarter.

☕️ Tea Time: I drink a lot of tea. I always want to try loose tea (sans tea bag) but never found a method I like to steep it. My sister in law (hi sis 👋) got me the perfect solution. Now I always have fresh tea ready to drink.

🍿 Movie: I am a huge Gina Rodriguez fan, and recently watched her movie Someone Great on Netflix. It's about three best friends that go on an epic night out to help one of them feel better after a tough breakup. It's got cameo appearances by RuPaul and Rosario Dawson. You'll laugh, you'll dance, and you'll cry.

Talk soon,

Google Experiments has been piloting games using AI. I played Quick, Draw! which was like pictionary with a computer. It told me what to draw and within 20 seconds it will guess it. There were a ton of games that would be fun for kids and adults to play.

AI Club host online classes for children starting in 4th grade. They meet with a small group of children weekly to learn how to use and develop their own tools using AI.

Duolingo (popular language learning app) uses AI to write tutoring lesson plans for users.

Search engine Bing has changed how we search by integrating AI. You can use this for yourself, or if your child is interested in something, let bing teach them about it. You need to use the edge browser for best results.

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ChatGPT in Schools: Here's my video breaking down what we need to know about ChatGPT and students. I debunk some myths and show you how to use it with kids that want to try.

Prioritizing Youtube: After looking at data, I will be prioritizing Youtube over Instagram. I'll still post on insta and tiktok, but this mean I'll have time to make more long form videos. Make sure you're subscribed and have notifications turned on 😄

Cute and cozy: My trip to Oregon for my friend's bachelorette was a blast. We had to pack strategically because the weather was a little unpredictable. I learned that they say "if you don't like the weather in Oregon, just wait five minutes." The bride wore this great satin skirt for st. patty's day. I loved it because it has an elastic waist that kept it from slipping everywhere. I also got to wear my new anti-frizz winter hat. My hair is fine and curly, so it gets really tangled in winter hats. It really kept my hair nice so I could take it on and off during the day.

Drink this and there will pinot problems: It was gorgeous visiting wine country and taking in the scenery. My favorite vineyards I went to were Durant and Domaine Serene. Here's some pictures:

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Have a great week!

Well, we are at that point again- with OpenAI's ChatGPT. This incredible artificial intelligence will chat with you about anything you can think of. If you haven't played around with it- you should. It will generate emails, tweets, and even a five paragraph essay for you...oh yeah essays- that's why people are freaking out.

ChatGPT and students: The gut reaction in schools seems to be: completely ban ChatGPT. For now- I agree. Students, staff, and parents need to be taught how to use it responsibly. We need to understand how to use it as a tool and timesaver. If the thought process is that it's a magic cheating machine, then schools are not ready. But I do not think it's smart to ban it long term.

As the adults in the room, we need to understand how it works, because I assure you- this technology is not going away. I have a video coming out Saturday that explains how we can use it with children, ways to prevent teaching, and the ethics + safety we have to teach students. In the meantime: hop on ChatGPT and try it.

*Pro tip: Sometimes ChatGPT says it is at capacity- but if you make a free account, you can usually bypass that. Make sure you do not put personal or private information into it.

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So you wanna quit teaching?: Last weekend I released my newest video. It goes over the questions I asked myself and the first steps I took when I decided to leave teaching. It speaks to teachers, but if you've ever considered changing careers it's good advice.

Lunchables for school lunches?: Lunchables are vying for a new market: schools. Here's their plan to replace the hot lunch option...with tiny cold pizzas.

Fresh Air: I'll be heading to Dundee, Oregon this week for a bachelorette party in wine country 🍷. It's going to be her last syrah 😂 We'll be running around Portland and Dundee. If you've got recs respond to this newsletter.

Dress for the weather: To prep for my trip I am bringing my trusty rain coat and my all weather sneakers. I used to wear those shoes on the playground for cold days and muddy days and they are amazing.

Have a great week!

"You and me are thrifty, so go all you can eat
Fill up your bag and I fill up a plate"

Shape of You by Ed Sheerhan

Hey there,

Let's talk tech. The market is FLOODED with learning games for children. It's great to have that variety, but really frustrating as an adult to have to scan through children's sites to figure out if it's worthwhile.

That's why I did the work for you.

Find what's free: Before you download a single thing, reach out to their teacher and your local library to find out what they can provide access to. Most public libraries offer free access to paid apps like Hoopla, Tumble Books, and some even provide coveted ABCMouse for free. The best part is these tools have been vetted by professionals- so they (should) be quality educational tools!

Coding games: Does your kiddo want to design video games when they grow up? Hour of Code's website highlights dozens of games for all ages to introduce your child to coding. Most of a pretty extensive amount of free games before that paywall hits.

Monster Reading: This app is reading based (they have a math spinoff too) and perfect for kids with big imaginations. Teach Your Monster to Read pairs phonics activities with fun graphics. It's $5.99 to download on a phone/tablet...BUT if you use it on a computer it's completely free.

For all Subjects: ABCYa is one of my all time favorite sites! They have so many games for kids that cover all sorts of skills. Just like Monster Reading, they are completely free to use on a computer. But if you want to download it on a tablet, they will charge a fee. I found this to be a common loophole when I was searching for resources- it's worth visiting an app's actual website to find out their pricing guidelines.

Speaking of free resources...

THANKS SO MUCH TO OUR SPONSOR GEMOO​

With built-in screen recorder, screen capture tool, documentation tool, organized cloud library, and comment function, Gemoo enables teachers to easily keep parents up-to-date on how their children perform at school and exchange feedback at their own time. All for Free Forever.

What's New?

• No more homework battles: Spring fever is coming and it's time to tighten up your homework routine! Here's my newest video to get the most out of homework time.
• More Free Tools: Here's 3 more amazing edtech tools to try with your kids.
• The best candles: I discovered swan creek candles at a gift shop recently. They weren't even burning yet, and the whole store smelled amazing. I burn vanilla pound cake and roasted espresso at the same time- my whole house smells like a cozy coffee shop. Then I found out they sell refill kits! So I bought the wax and refilled the gorgeous vessels for half the price.
• Ari Lennox: I recently saw Ari Lennox in concert which was a dream come true. She has an incredible voice and relatable lyrics. I was even more excited to find out she lived in Charlotte for a while and several of her songs were written with it in mind. If you like Neo-Soul and R&B you should check her out.​

Have a great week!

Over the past few weeks I followed the funding in public schools. Here's a few conclusions I drew while researching:

Money is tight: Schools cobble together money from the federal, state, and local government along which grants and donations. Often it can take years to secure money and it does not adjust with inflation.

One thing to expect to see over the next year is schools fighting for more funding. COVID relief funds are drying up and most districts have not adjusted their budgets for inflation.

Some don't think it's worth it: It's hard to catch a law maker saying it directly, but many see public schools as a waste of money (check the comments on my youtube videos). Since they do not make a profit, schools are seen as a drain on the budget. Veiled arguments suggest funneling the money elsewhere or openly criticizing public schools and then withholding funding as punishment. They may argue there should be an "open market" for schools: but schools are not businesses. The return on investment is not literal cash- but I think educating children is an investment in the future.

These sentiments scare me because access to school is a human right. Defunding schools is dangerous. In the US it is already very clear that your zip code can determine the quality of your school. Can you imagine how inequitable it would be if the option of the free neighborhood school disappeared?

You have a say: School issues have a way of boiling under the surface. In fact, before the pandemic, I had not ever seen parents so interested and invested in what happened in schools. Keep an eye on your local school board, research how candidates feel about education, and vote regularly. Often school matters are determined in small elections with low turn out. Your vote and campaign donations really make a difference.

THANKS SO MUCH TO OUR SPONSOR GEMOO​

With built-in screen recorder, screen capture tool, documentation tool, organized cloud library, and comment function, Gemoo enables teachers to easily keep parents up-to-date on how their children perform at school and exchange feedback at their own time. All for Free Forever.

What's New?

• 3 EdTech Tools you need to try now: Check out my most recent video. If you're looking for better ways to organize parent communication or easy tech tools for kids this is for you.
• Quality time: Mike and I celebrated 10 years together and 2 years married last weekend. We unplugged and skipped town to Savannah, GA. All the flowers were in bloom and the weather was perfect. I couldn't have picked a better person to visit with. 💘
• FujiFilm: I love my Fujifilm Instax Camera (the new Polaroid camera)- but I don't always want to carry it around. I recently got a Fujifilm printer. It's the perfect compromise to print pictures from my phone on the fun film.
• Favorite Dress: Years ago I discovered this incredible dress made by warehouse (sometimes sold by ASOS). It's a button down midi dress with belt: perfect for teaching in. The fabric is lightweight and comfortable for a hot work day. I have it in three solid colors- but I discovered now they make it in zebra print.

Next week I'll be getting into tech tips for kid.

Til then,

"Now here you go again,

you say you want your freedom"

Dreams by Fleetwood Mac

Hey there,

School Voucher programs have been quietly dominating the United States. Currently, almost half the states have a strong school voucher program that provides a substantial amount of money to families. There are several more that provide a small tax credit or refund.

As I researched for this newsletter, I found they are incredibly polarizing. But what are they? I'm going to break down the pros and cons for you so you can form your own opinion.

---

Ok, but what's a voucher? School vouchers are programs created by individual states for parents to seek out alternatives to public/charter schools. Public and charter schools are funded by state/federal tax money. Private schools and homeschool are not. Voucher programs essentially divert your child's "per pupil" funding to your chosen private school (or homeschool) instead of sending it to fund public schools.

Please note that this is unique to each state- some vouchers are worth thousands of dollars, while others may provide a $500 tax credit. North Carolina, for example, gives vouchers based on family income. The projected average voucher for this school year is $2,769.

Pros:

• Many proponents argue that tax money is being wasted if you do not send your child to their local pubic school. They would rather see the money benefit their child directly.
• The second most common argument is that this makes access to private schools and homeschooling more equitable. Schools are incredibly expensive to run and scholarships (especially full scholarships) are competitive. Providing families school vouchers can make alternative schooling accessible in some cases.
• It creates more options. Many families do not have a choice of where their child goes to school. They simply enroll in the neighborhood school. However some schools may be dangerous, lack desired courses, or have poor test scores. Vouchers provide families with a chance to make a choice they want. In most states this includes religious education.
• Many states have an additional program to support students with special needs. This would potentially mean extra funds to cover the cost of special education, speech therapy, and/or occupational therapy. If a child is eligible for services, they will receive support during school hours for free. Private schools, however, are not required to provide these services.

Cons:

• Private schools, homeschooling, and support for special needs are really expensive. Parents will get only a few thousand dollars, but private schools easily cost $10-20k per student annually. Critics argue that it doesn't truly give low-income families a chance to enroll in private school.
• In practice, they do not support low income families. Indiana has one of the most robust voucher programs in the nation. They have found most families using vouchers are middle class and less than 1% were students leaving "failing" schools. Schools have experienced a drain on diversity as middle and upper class families flocked to private schools taking their tax money with them. Schools are underfunded and struggling. The former superintendent, Wendy Robinson, called it an "assault on public schools."
• I put religious schools in the pros and cons intentionally since it is so personal. One survey found that the majority of parents used their vouchers for a religious school. Some may see this as religious freedom while others may see it as secular tax money funding religious organizations.

Some Announcements:

• 3 EdTech Tools you need to try now: My next video premieres tomorrow on my YouTube Channel, Primary Focus! I share about 3 FREE amazing tools that are game changers for both teachers and parents. Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss it.
• Drawing fails: I've been running a fun series showing hilarious drawings students have made in the past. Check them out on TikTok or Insta​

Check these out:

• Wonderful: I listen to the most calm, uplifting podcast called Wonderful. Each week this couple shares things that makes them happy. It is, in a word -- wonderful.
• Florals: One of the biggest conundrums in decorating my home with Mike is that I want to cover everything in flowers and he wants to keep everything clean + modern. We've learned to compromise (we own a LOT of plants) and I express myself through beautiful stationary at Rifle Paper Company.
• No Headphones: The first signs of spring are showing up in NC. To enhance my daily walk, I've decided to go au natural (read: without headphones) for at least ten minutes. There are so many birds chirping and I feel so much more relaxed when I'm done. It's simple, but so fulfilling.

Til next week,

Last week I explained how school funding reports work. If you're a new subscriber (welcome!) you may want to peek back at that issue first.

Let's play the lottery: When I was researching NC school funding I saw a lot of people asking about the North Carolina Education Lottery. Like many states, the profits from the lottery program (scratch off tickets, power ball etc) are supposed to be bonus funding for the school's education budget. But that's not working out in North Carolina...

False Promises: When it was created in 2005, the North Carolina lottery promised to supplement the state's education budget with a minimum of 35% of profits going directly to education. The state was supposed to treat the money like a bonus 🎂, not as a main source of funding. Both these stipulations have been removed. Now it is just a guideline that 35% goes to education, and in some years, like 2016, as low as 25% was shared.

Cake for dinner: Since it is just a guideline to spend the money of education, NC frequently diverts money to other state needs. However it still advertises that the money goes directly to education. UNC Charlotte conducted a study on how the lottery impacted school funding for ten years. They found the lottery money did not increase per pupil spending when compared to population growth and inflation. It is simply replacing other spending. Mike Easley, the former governor who initiated the lottery has called it "a big disappointment, but not a surprise."

To sum it up, Walter Hart, one of the lead researchers said "The lottery was sold as icing on the cake, and over time it’s become more and more of the cake."

If you want to read a little more, this article did an excellent job of explaining the study on NC's lottery.

Some Announcements:

• I meditated for 30 days- I didn't know how badly I'd need it: ​Check out my newest video. This is a vlog about my meditation challenge last November. I thought I would learn a new skill, but a lot of unfortunate events happened that month. Meditation ended up carrying me through.
• Tales from a Teacher: I've started a new series on TikTok sharing some of my stories from teaching. If you need a laugh check them out.

Check this out:

• Lessons in Chemistry: I just finished this novel by Bonnie Garmus. The writing was so creative (including the pet dog narrating parts of the story).
• Clothing Swap Party: Last weekend my friends and I had our second clothing swap party. Everyone brought over gently used clothes, housewares, and accessories to trade with each other. It was so easy to set up and a fun change of pace. If you are looking for a way to be more sustainable or entertain on a budget this is it.
• Seasonal Leggings: I'm sitting here typing this in my Valentine's Day heart covered leggings... I know you're jealous.💘 Since you read to the bottom, I'll give you a "leg up" for the next holiday. Here's some St. Patty's Day leggings 🍀😜

Til next week,

I'm going to focus in on North Carolina, but if you live in another state I encourage you to look at the report. It's fascinating and incredibly illuminating. If you want to dive in a little deeper on NC, read this article. It was the inspiration for this newsletter.

When you look at the numbers:

• North Carolina ranks 48th out of 51 for student funding (including Washington DC).
• When you compare them to the state's wealth (based on GDP). NC ranks dead last.
• North Carolina has the 10th largest GDP of all the states. It is home to some of the largest corporations in the country and is the second largest banking center in the US.
• With a $6.2 billion dollar surplus, in addition to a nearly 5 billion dollar rainy day fund North Carolina has one of the highest surplus accounts in the nation.

So if North Carolina has access to so much money, why are their schools the worst funded in the nation?

Next week, I'm going to explain where all the North Carolina Lottery for Education money is going. Those scratchers and powerball tickets are not as lucky for schools as you think.

Some Announcements:

• I got featured on Peanut! If you use the Peanut App, check out my featured article in Railey Molinario's group: How to talk to your child’s teacher without feeling like a helicopter mom. If you're on the app read it here. If you are not a Peanut user, read it here.
• Valentine's Day Gifts: Need an easy last minute gift for your child's teacher? Check out my video!​

Check this out:

• Polywork: If you're a freelancer or enjoy contributing to projects try out Polywork. I've been active on there for several months and it's lead a lot of collaboration opportunities (including the Peanut article I mentioned).
• Whisk & Wood: If you're local to Charlotte, one of my favorite bakeries has special valentine's day brownies and oh my gosh they are GOOD! Make sure you pre-order because they are small batch. Mike, I know you read this- no guesses on what you're getting for Valentine's Day. 🙃

Til next week,

😁 Welcome to my 7 new subscribers! I'm so glad you're here. Got a friend who would love this newsletter? They can sign up here.

Teaching children time management is a process....and when they can't even read a clock it can get really difficult. That's why I'm dedicating this newsletter to 3 simple ways to use calendars to build time management.

1. Start Small: Children cannot handle looking at a full month. Use a large planner or print a weekly calendar like the one picture below. Work together to label schools days, home days, and any other weekly patterns like soccer practice. Over time you can expand to two weeks and a whole month.
2. Make it meaningful: Make a special time of day to go over it. Have a discussion about what happened yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Let your kiddo cross off each day. Pick a time that makes sense (yes the evening is fine). Put events on the calendar together and color code them or use stickers.
3. Anticipate and Explain: Now that you've built a calendar routine you can use it to explain why/how to manage their time. This is an excellent time to talk through how important it is to pack their soccer jersey in the backpack because it's a tight turnaround between school and practice. You can show them that they really need to finish their project by Monday because on Tuesday there won't be time. And with a little luck, things may go more smoothly as you they manage their schedule.

...keep an eye out on my instagram and tiktok this week for more tips on using a calendar with your kiddos!

Some Announcements:

• Choosing the BEST School: My FREE course on choosing the BEST School for your child is live. This course is for parents looking to enroll their child in elementary school. Since you're on my email list you're the first to get access to it! ​
  • psst- you can also share this special link with a friend 😊
• ​5 simple, sweet, and cheap Valentine's Day Gifts: Check out my newest video with great gift ideas. My favorite is #4 🍔

Check this out:

• Groundhog Day: This Thursday 2/2/23 marks one of my favorite goofy holidays- Groundhog Day. Check out their official site to catch the livestream and share fun facts with your kiddos.
• Call someone you love: This past weekend my husband and I flew to Bloomington, Indiana to visit my grandparents. It was a really special trip. I'm grateful I can make more trips like that and can't wait for the next. If you've got a second- send some love to your person that's far away today. 💕

Til next week,

I've been so immersed in the world of education, I didn't realize there was a common question on people's minds. It was submitted by an instagram follower & it came up when I was interviewed on the podcast Just Dumb Enough. They asked:

How do teachers get paid? Are they paid over the summer?

Let me start with the easy one: Are teachers paid over the summer? No. Teachers are typically salaried as 10 month employees. They get paid for 10 months of work. A standard model is to get paid September through June. This was the case when I worked in public schools in North Carolina and internationally in Vietnam.

And so how do they get paid? Well this can vary- but best case scenario is every other week, but there are some states like North Carolina and Texas do payroll once a month. You can run into issues over the holidays like this teacher did when you get your December check mid month before winter break and then go up to 7 weeks until your next check at the end of January.

But what about summer paychecks? Some districts will help teachers budget by providing smaller paychecks. For example, if you are paid once a month teachers would have a choice of 10 full paychecks or stretch it into 12 smaller paychecks.

North Carolina go rid of this option a few years ago. When I taught I had a summer savings account. I out aside a specific amount each month to create my own paychecks for the summer months.

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Some Announcements:

• Choosing the BEST School: My free email course will be released next week. Each day you'll get an email describing a type of school. To get early access respond to this email. And if you know someone going through the school choice panic, send them my way. I'll get them on the list and answer their questions.
• ​Valentine's Day Gifts: Tomorrow my video 5 simple sweet and cheap valentine's day gifts for your teacher will premiere. You can help my premiere by visiting the page and liking the video- this helps it get more exposure 🙏

Check this out:

• Happy Lunar New Year: Happy Year of the...is it rabbit 🐇 or cat 🐈? The lunar new year just passed and you may have seen people celebrating both. This article explains why China is celebrating the year of the cat and Vietnam is celebrating the rabbit.
• The 100th day of school: If your school year started un August or September the 100th day should be coming up! Here are some books to read with your kiddo to celebrate.
• A district that gets it: I was looking up super bowl activities and came across this article from last year. Did you know Cincinnati Public Schools gave everyone the day off after the super bowl last year? Now if only we could get the day after Halloween off. 😂 🏈

Have a great week,

Stop talking so much: Ok, let me explain...I was reading an article about small steps teachers can take to increase student engagement. The small step was to let students do far more talking than the teacher does. Learning to think critically and communicate takes time and lots of practice. When working with kids, we have to give them time and space to think and talk out loud.

But that's so difficult!

Yes, especially if you're like me and love to talk. Here were a few tips to let kids talk more:

• Let them talk first
• When you do speak model how to explain your thinking. Speak in complete sentences and explain your thought process (I used to think this...but now I know...)
• Ask questions instead of giving directions or explaining the answer: What's the first step? How does your teacher do that? Do you see any clues?
• Encourage them to elaborate. Show them that you want to hear more than a "yes" or "no" answer: How did that feel? What does it look like? Does it remind you of anything?
• For more tips check out my video How do I get my kids to talk to me?​

I'll be posting some examples of this on my instagram this week.

Some Announcements:

• I've created my first e-mail course! This course answers the number 1 question I get: What kind of school should I choose for my child? I compiled the answer from several experts to explain 6 different school styles. You'll learn about Homeschooling, Montessori, private schools, and more! I'll release the course next week, respond to this email to get on the waiting list.
• I will be streamlining this newsletter to focus on education news and tips for this newsletter. Thank you for sticking with me as I explored various topics and layouts. Each week I will focus on an education news story or education tip. Then I'll share some announcements and things to check out. I'm always looking for feedback and ideas, just respond to this email.
• I'm on TikTok now. I did it - yay. @PrimaryFocus Follow me​

Check this out:

• Chestnut spread: My friend brought me home this incredible chestnut spread from France. It's a paste you spread on bread with the most delicious vanilla cinnamon taste. I'm addicted!
• Archetypes Podcast: I have been binge listening to Meghan Markle's podcast on Spotify. She explores archetypes placed on women (diva, good wife/mother, ambitious) with incredible interviews. If you identify as a woman I think you'll be inspired. If you've got women you love, I think you'll be enlightened.
• Keenan Anderson: You may have heard of English Teacher, Keenan Anderson's, passing at the hands of LAPD after a car accident. Here is the GoFundMe started to support his son's education. ✊Black Lives Matter

Have a great week,

I never swear in Primary Focus and try to keep it family friendly but...it's Monday night, this newsletter should go out Tuesday, and this is the only thing on my mind. Last Friday, elementary school teacher Abby Zwerner was intentionally shot by her six year old student while teaching a lesson. She is 25. She was shot in the chest by a first grader in front of her classroom full of first graders.

I'm sitting here shaking because I used to have a class full of first graders. I can only imagine the amount of warning signs this child gave leading up to this and the amount of system failures that allowed this to happen.

She is recovering in the hospital still. Before she got help for herself, she made sure all students evacuated her room. She is a hero.

Teachers should not have to be that kind of hero.

If this fires you up, I highly encourage you to contact your local school board and representatives. You can support Abby by donating to her GoFundMe page.

I'll be back next week with something more uplifting, but until then send the teachers you know some love.

Take care,

Natalie

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#1: Are All Flamingos Pink?​

#2 My Top 3 End of Year Teacher Gift Ideas​

#3 All the Baby Farm Animals​

#4 I resigned from teaching...a message from a teacher's broken heart​

#5 Why I Quit Teaching​

2022 was a huge year of transformation for me and I'm so honored to have you here. Thank you for subscribing and supporting me. I'm so excited to embark on my first full year outside of the classroom. It's been a joy growing Primary Focus full time.

Here's a few things making me smile:

• 📺 Modern Family: I always like to have a friendly show on deck to pair with all the intensity on TV. I started Modern Family again from season 1 and so far it's still hilarious. The writing is so clever.
• 🎨 Creative Mornings: Once a month creative mornings hosts an incredible program meant to uplift creatives and small business owners. I've started forming some friendships and gotten a lot of inspiration from these events. They have branches in over 200 cities- I highly recommend you go to one!
• 😴 Rest and relaxation: If you've made it to the bottom of this newsletter, thanks for reading. January is filled with endless reminders to change everything about yourself for a "new year, new you." I want to remind you that you actually just accomplished another year in your life. If your body needs a nap- take it. The holiday season is relentless. You've got all year to make 2023 great. ❤️

Take care,

Natalie

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• The holidays are expensive: Turns out making magic for all your family and friends can add up quickly. In fact, the average American estimates they will spend $932 on gifts alone this year.
• That inspired my newest video: 5 Awesome Dollar Store Gifts. I selected 5 meaningful and easy gifts that will not break your budget. It premieres tonight at 6:45. If you're reading this before then, take a second to hit "notify me" and like the video 😉

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Here's a few things making me smile:

• 🐈 Pepper the cat: My sweet calico kitty has been obsessed with our Christmas tree. She stares at it, lays under it, and...eats it. She looooves the Christmas tree lights so much she has started trying to eat them. Last night I caught her staring at one for a while and then put it in her mouth. She looked sweet for just a second with her whiskers and nose lit up- but now we are on "tree watch" around the clock. 😹🙀
• 🧁 Nailed It (Netflix) has to be the funniest game show on tv. Basically amateur bakers are challenged to make impossibly beautiful cakes- it's a competition for the best of the worst. The results have me screaming with laughter. If you need something family friendly to watch I highly recommend it.
• 🎺 And a classic- I recently discovered Louis Armstrong's Christmas album and it's a treat. Make sure you listen to the end for his recording of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas: playlist​

Happy Holidays,

Natalie

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• Healing in music: This beautiful and heartbreaking song by Gabrielle Zwi, a 2022 Columbia University grad who now teaches music and civics in after-school programs, expresses that sentiment from the perspective of a student growing up in the "school shooting generation". You can find the song, titled "Guns to a Playground Fight," through this link: https://www.gabriellezwi.com/livesrobbed​
  All profits from streaming/downloads and associated performances are being donated to Lives Robbed, an organization founded by families impacted by the Robb Elementary shooting in Uvalde, TX.
• Targeted Fundraising: Everytown rose from the pain of Sandy Hook to work tirelessly to prevent gun violence in the United States. Check them out, and if you're able make a donation today: https://www.everytown.org/​
• The questions to ask: Finally, if you have children in school I know it must be on your mind how procedures are handled in case of an active shooter. If you are curious- check in any handbooks sent home and on the district's website for information first. Keep in mind lockdown procedures are kept with a certain amount of secrecy so they remain secure. If you are still wondering, it is ok to reach out to the teacher to ask if lockdown procedures have been taught.

The events that unfolded at Sandy Hook were tragic and left a horrible mark on the idyllic image elementary schools should have. Give your loved ones a hug today, check your voter registration, and think about what you have done to help our country move forward in a safer, peaceful direction. Sending all my love, hopes, and prayers, progress, and change. ❤️

Here's a few things I've enjoyed lately:

• 🥧 Kringles! A few years ago I started a tradition of sending Christmas Kringles to my parents and in-laws. They are a beautiful and tasty wreath shaped pastry.
• 🌍 If you live in North Carolina, the strict school calendar laws may change- keep an eye out, this battle has been simmering in the state for a long time. Right now the law says schools must be out for the summer by June 11 and back in session no earlier than August 26. It was put in place by the tourism industry for economic reasons.
• 🎥 And... I published a vlog reflecting on the first summer after I left teaching. It documents my period of reflection this past summer as I adjusted to changing careers.

Take care,

Natalie

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Hi there,

This is the final installment in my series on growth mindset, this week is all about the power of yet.

• Not yet: When you have a growth mindset, you don't fixate on what you can't do. You focus on what you're working toward. But when you're little and haven't experienced the thrill of success, you can get stuck on what you can't do. That's why they need you to...
• Teach the power of yet: Sure they can't read...yet That's why kids need the adults in the room to teach goal setting.
• They don't know yet: Your child may not be old enough to have actually completed anything they are proud of yet. Sure they learned to walk, but they don't remember. Maybe they know they learned to ride a bike, but they were unaware of the steps they took to accomplish that. A lot of things just happen to children. You get to show them their role in it.
• Next time your child has a goal, document it with them. Use a journal to write their goal and 2-3 steps to accomplish it. Make sure they are measurable. If it involves practice, keep a chart too. Along the way take, photos of their progress so you can reflect once they achieve their goal.

Here's a few things that have been keeping me busy:

• 🎙 I've been binging this podcast about what a mess reading instruction is in the United States, you'll hear my thoughts on it soon: Sold a Story
• 🌍 I don't play a lot of games, but I have been on a three week streak with Globle. It's like Wordle for geography lovers. Let me know if you're playing and what your average guess is!
• 🎥 And...my next video premieres Weds at 3:30. It's a journal of my summer reflecting on leaving teaching from the last day of school to the first. Hit the notify button so you don't miss it.

Wishing you a wonderful week,

Natalie

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Last week I explained what growth mindset is, this week I'm going to explain how it benefits children. To my new subscribers (hello!), if you missed last week's you can read it here.

So why is developing a growth mindset so important for kids?

• Glad you asked: When you have a growth mindset, you understand that it takes time, effort, and intention to develop a skill- we do not just have talent.
  • Imagine in your youth - the single best time to develop skills - you believed some kids were just born to play basketball, but you weren't. So you don't try, so you don't play, and so you go through life feeling just a little slighted that Kobe was born that way and you never stood a chance.
  • Keeping a fixed mindsets affects children's confidence because they do not believe they need to try or put effort into things. It sneaks up on us the most with high achieving children. Many are shocked the first time they don't get something the first try...and respond by giving up.
• So what do I do?: It's not very hard to model a growth mindset, it's all in the way you speak and approach challenges. Both when you are doing something alone or experiencing a challenge together, children will mimic your approach. Here are some examples of what you can say day to day:

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• After a while you may see your confidence grow too 😄 Next week I'll share some more examples of how to model growth mindset when your child is frustrated. If you're enjoying the series...will you share it with a friend?

Before I go, I have a few recommendations for you:

• ⚽️ For those watching the world cup- an interesting article from a teacher: Why I'm integrating the world cup into my English class...​
• 🎥 My most recent video: How to advocate for your child without being a helicopter parent​
• 🥧 And...I made this cranberry tart out of leftover cranberry sauce form thanksgiving- it was delicious.

Have a great week,

Natalie

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Hey there,

It's almost Thanksgiving and I've been feeling really thankful this year. So much has changed this year, but I have an incredible support system that's made me feel so confident through it all. Part of that support system is you- thanks for subscribing to this newsletter 🧡

Over the next few weeks I will be writing about Growth Mindset:

• What is Growth Mindset?: Coined by Carol Dweck, I first heard about Growth Mindset during a staff meeting. I took a quiz to find out if I had a growth or fixed mindset. I threw it into the camp of Enneagram and the Myers Briggs test: fun social psychology made to get your reflecting, but didn't mean much to me. But over the years I realized how important it is for children to develop a growth mindset. When you hear about children having grit and high self esteem it connects back to having a growth mindset.
• Ok, but what is it?: When you have a growth mindset, it means you believe success is achieved through time and effort. You're not intimidated by failure and instead use it to reflect and regroup. You'll most often hear Growth Mindset being compared to a Fixed Mindset:

• The impact: Once I learned about this, I realized a lot of people that I encounter with a "victim mentality" are stuck in a fixed mindset (you know- that person at work who is perpetually having a bad day). The world happens to them, and they have no control over it. Those with a growth mindset know they are an active participant in their life and are ready to make the most of it.

Next week I'll explain how to help your children develop a growth mindset. Until then, I'd love it if you shared this newsletter with a friend. They can sign up, view this issue and previous ones here.​

Happy Thanksgiving,

Natalie

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Que lo que there! (that's how Dominicans say "what's up")

Last week I went to the Dominican Republic with my husband Mike because he was presenting at the Caribbean Developer's Conference. I'd been looking forward to the trip for a long time. It was a chance to lounge by the pool and get that November tan (ok- freckles, lots of freckles). But my husband had other plans for me- since I've changed careers, he registered me and encouraged me to participate. This was my first conference in a male dominated field and outside of education; I learned that these professionals act very differently than what I am used to.

1. They were confident: Like really confident, both in what they were good at, and in admitting what they wanted to learn more about. I often find myself trying to guess somebody's answer instead of just flat out asking them. For example instead of asking What are you doing for Thanksgiving? I might ask someone with a clumsy multiple choice: What are you doing for Thanksgiving this year, are you going to your family, or staying home, or do you even have family, do you even celebrate? Sorry for asking... So, I changed my approach to asking questions directly- I felt more confident and like the person was given a chance to answer completely.
2. They didn't waste their time: People were friendly- and they were there to network. I saw a lot of people directly explaining they were hiring or looking for specific opportunities. If interests didn't align, they let the conversation end. It didn't seem like people were getting stuck in the small talk I sometimes politely endure. On that note- I saw a lot of people say "I don't know about ___, but let me introduce you to __ who does."
3. They didn't talk about kids: This is probably an unfair generalization, but when women with children get together, they can talk about children nonstop. It's an easy thing if you're running low on conversation. I expected to see that, but even though the conference started right after Halloween I did not see one picture of a kid in their costume. My husband did not know if most of the people we talked with had kids (I found out because that's an essential question in discussing Primary Focus). I don't really know what to take from this because I heard plenty of small talk about other things- but it was interesting to see men do not pick their kids as the easy chit chat topic.

I'm not entirely sure if I've found some grand point to make from this- but all I can say is the conference felt very different than the way I have become accustomed to communicating. I'm looking forward to more experiences like this with my career change. Have you had observations like this?

Til next time,

Natalie

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1. Dance the night away: To my American subscribers, today is election day. I know a lot of us are caught up in the news cycle, so I want to share my Election Day Playlist.* These are upbeat, fun bops that will keep you smiling. No election news here- just good times. *I did not choose edited versions, so there will be a few to skip if you listen with the kids or at work.
2. I've got a video premiering today! These are 3 things you should mention at your parent teacher conference. Even if they don't come up during your chat, these are things helpful to mention at some point to your child's teacher. Check it out here!

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3. A Natalie update: I got home yesterday from a trip to Punta Cana. I've travelled the world, but I had never been to the Caribbean. We didn't leave the resort, so I'm not sure I can say I've experienced it yet, but I did have a great time!🍹

I went with my husband who was there for the Caribbean Developers Conference. Mike encouraged me to participate in the conference, since I work in technology now. I'll share my thoughts on what it was like to attend a conference in a male dominated field in my next newsletter.

Ciao,

Natalie

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I've been doing some consulting lately. It's been interesting to work with a client to translate what they want into a product. When the founder of tailorED reached out to me, I was excited to transfer what I know from my years teaching into marketing materials and videos for her. It's been a great experience for me- and I learned a few things:

1. Organize everything: Whether it was brainstorming, a proposal, or tracking hours worked, I had to stay very organized. This helped me work efficiently and communicate clearly.
2. Ask a lot of questions: My favorite trick after learning new information is to summarize what was said in my own words and ask if I got it right. It gives them a chance to correct misconceptions. When you work in schools everyone is busy- so that's usually the only chance you get to ensure you got it. This time, I had my client's undivided attention. I asked a lot of questions and now I know to ask even more for our next project.
3. Be myself: I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to laugh and joke during calls. When I taught (especially in my early years) I was more buttoned up- but now I can be myself. I think it made the whole experience so much more enjoyable- it's a lot easier to give/receive feedback when you've built a relationship.

If you're interested here's the demo for tailorED:

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Oh, and I hope you're having a wonderful autumn! Last night I went to my friend's house to hand out candy to trick or treaters. My friend shared "Pumpkin Delight Little Debbies" with us. They are hard to find (her mom shipped them from the midwest!) but wow they were good!

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Til next time,

Natalie

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I want to add here- this captures a really intense few weeks for me. I've taken a lot of time to invest in self care, reflection, and planning my future. I'm happy- very happy - and I can't wait to vlog about what happened next. 😊

On a lighter note I went to see Lizzo last week and it was the best concerts I've ever been to. I love how inclusive she is- she made a sold out audience feel intimate. That was the first concert I've been to in years- so it was about damn time!

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Til next time,

Natalie

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Merit Pay has been a looming controversy for North Carolina teachers. It's been proposed before, but now state superintendent Catherine Truitt has been pushing this as a way to overhaul the way teachers are paid in North Carolina. There is a panel studying the proposal right now. Merit pay is controversial and has lead teachers in other states to strike. As I wrote this email I tried to find articles with clear facts, but most (including this email) are laced heavily with opinion. Keep an eye on this issue, because it is not going away.

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So what's the big deal? Merit pay can mean a lot of different things, which is one of the reasons why it's so controversial. In a nutshell, a teacher would be paid based on their accomplishments. This could range from getting a master's degree to their test scores. They may need to compete with other colleagues to get their pay raise. Right now the panel is exploring a lot of options, but I'm not convinced. On the surface is sounds like a logical way to pay employees, but I have a few issues with it:

• NC educators are not paid fairly: They already are begging for fair wages- and now they have to prove their worth? It's not appropriate to talk about merit pay until an appropriate base pay is determined. I see merit pay as a distraction to the real issue and not a solution.
• Schools are not businesses: Schools are not for profit, so it's hard to imagine looking at students (aka PEOPLE) like they are a number. American schools are already plagued with too much testing, now if you are creating a competitive environment around tests there will be even more stress placed on students. It also leaves me wondering where teachers who don't have test scores are left. Does the music teacher get a pay raise/bonus?
• It changes the relationship with their principal: One of the best things about a teacher's relationship with their principal is they are not in charge of their salary. It's unique and it helps build trust in a stressful workplace. Schools also run on tight budgets, down to the salaries they can afford on staff. Are they going to be put in a position where only a certain amount of staff can afford to get their bonus money?

These are my two cents...but I encourage you to keep an eye on this. I've been watching for a while and the panel is addressing concerns from teachers- we will see where this goes...

Til next time,

Natalie

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Hurricane Ian left terrible destruction across the Caribbean and the United States. Before I get into homework help, I ask you to consider donating to Save the Children. They are providing supplies such as diapers, wipes, portable cribs, and water to children and families in Florida. 💚

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Lean on me: One of the biggest issues families face in homework time is whining. This can turn a simple 10 minute routine into 45 minutes of fighting and 2 excedrin 😤. If it isn't filled with tension, then your child may suddenly act helpless like they've never been school a day in their life...you decide which is worse.

If you've gotten to this point in homework time, it will take a while to reset your child's outlook. But, if you are committed, you can get the control back in homework time.

I've got some ideas for you:

• It starts with you 👀: You're the role model and your kiddos are watching you to see your attitude on school. Whatever you do- DO NOT TALK SMACK ABOUT THE HOMEWORK! It doesn't matter how stupid the assignment is or how frustrating the project is- if you give any indication homework sucks, your child will get full permission to fight it.
• Stick to the routine ⏱: In a previous newsletter I mentioned making a schedule. I urge you to keep with it- treat that time like it is sacred. If you are inconsistent, you are saying the time is not valuable. Even if there is a night with no homework, build in time to study or read together. If your child is fighting it, sit down with them the entire time. Distractions can be the biggest issue during homework time- you be defense keeping distractions away while they tackle homework. 🏈
• Show them how to do homework 📝: Not the actual work- but how to get organized. Model turning off their phone/tablet, reading their assignments page, setting up their workspace, putting a big checkmark on their list. One of the hardest parts of an ominous task is getting started- give them the skills to begin working.
• Dangle a carrot 🥕: I'm sure you're ready to speed up the process- so make homework a black and white issue. If you follow through with the consequence or reward you probably won't even have to yell.
  • No ___ until your homework is done.
  • We can ___ after your homework is done.
  • I want to give you 30 minutes to ___, but if you take too long on your homework it will cut into that time.
  • If you get your homework done without complaining for 3 nights in a row, then we can ___.
  • ...and one for you too: If I can make it through homework time without ___, then I get a big glass of ___ 😉

I'll be taking a break from the newsletter next week, but in the meantime, you can check out my newest video on pumpkins. This one is great for older kids in upper elementary and middle school.

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Have a good rest of your week,

Natalie

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Hey there,

Homework sucks: It takes a lot of patience to sit next to a child after a long day and encourage them to independently complete something you could do in 30 seconds. I'm going to give you a few simple tips to keep your child on task and model study skills they will need for college and beyond.

• Use Timers ⏱: Timers are an incredible tool that you can use in 2 ways:
  • Use a timer to manage how long it should take to complete a task. If it should take 5 minutes, set the timer for that. Your child may need you to break it down further, like saying "I'm setting the timer for 5 minutes to complete three word problems." You can also use it to split up independent work time and time you'll help them. For example, if they need to write a paragraph, give them 2-3 minutes to work alone, then stop by to help them for a few minutes to help. This builds confidence and accountability.
  • Use timers to manage your child's attention span. They say you get about 2-3 minutes of attention per year old- for a 5 year old that's 10-15 minutes, but that can be far less if they are disinterested. So, set the timer to work 10 minutes, then take a 1-2 minute break to reset their focus.
  • check out cute kid's timers here ​
• Scaffold their work 🏗: Scaffolding is an education term that means giving meaningful support to learners. When building a tower, scaffolding will be put up around it. It is adjustable and more or less can be added as needed. Once the building is complete, there is no need to keep up scaffolding. It's the same with learning- you want to help just enough to get your child independent. The goal is to let them stand alone. During homework time, let your child show you what they know first, and just step in as needed. The easiest way to start this is to act dumb, ask them questions about what to do rather than telling them how to do it.

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• Make a physical checklist ✅: This suggestion came from a follower on instagram! Start with all the assignments and books on the left, and as you complete them stack them up on the right. Every time something is done let you child say "check ✅." There is something so satisfying about a checklist!

If you know a family that's got the homework blues, encourage them to sign up for this newsletter. Send them this link. They can sign up and view previous newsletters

See you next week!

Natalie

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Hey there,

Now that you're settled into the school year, I'm sure the honeymoon phase has ended and homework battles are beginning. When I taught, I personally hated assigning homework, but I can't say all teachers feel the same. In fact, homework is a huge controversy in schools and each one I taught at had a different policy. The "go to" rule of thumb has become about 10 minute per grade level plus 15-20 minutes of reading. Sure that works in the lower grades, but by the time you reach 5th grade that's over an hour of homework each night!

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So how do you manage it? Over the next few weeks, I'll be sharing tips on how to make homework a productive time. This week will focus on you- next week will focus on your child.

• Do a little digging 🕵️‍♂️: Most teachers do not grade homework aside from completion. Many do not grade it at all (especially in the lower grades). With a mix of parents asking kids to copy sentences and others doing it on the bus, it's not fair to grade nightly assignments. Plus, we can tell from their performance in class if they are practicing at home. When you're doing homework, you do not need to seek perfection. So take your drill sergeant hat off and just focus on priorities.
• Read between the lines 👀 (or even ask the teacher directly) to figure out what the bottom line is with homework. I always had a few parents explain that their after school hours were hectic, so we "re-negotiated" the homework plan.
• Make a schedule 📆: Find a time that can be dedicated to homework. Ideally the same time daily so you can make a routine. Many pick right after school, but some early risers may do better in the morning. You're going to have to enforce this schedule, so make sure it's a good time for you too! If your child is doing homework with a tutor or after school program, make a few minutes to go over it with them for accountability.
• Make a space 📋: Under no circumstances should your child be alone during homework time!! This is where the slacking starts 😂 You don't need to hover, but you should be able to keep an eye on them and check in every 5 minutes or so. Even at the high school level kids cannot multitask, so keep their homework area clean and the tv off. Next week I'll explain how to use timers to keep them on task.
• Read 📚: Probably every teacher you'll encounter in elementary school will ask your child to read. Without a doubt, if you have to pick between the worksheet or reading- pick reading. From learning to relax, to test scores, to vocabulary growth there are lots of studies showing a daily reading habit will benefit your child long term. Plus it's a nice time to bond together 🥰

Banned Books Week: Speaking of reading- it's Banned Books Week! I'll be posting a few satirical videos about children's books that were banned over the years. First up, is why the most innocent Dr. Seuss book was banned. Click below!

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If you know a family that's got the homework blues, encourage them to sign up for this newsletter. Send them this link. They can sign up and view previous newsletters

See you next week!

Natalie

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Hey there,

I've been having fun: Back to school time was a season I was dreading, but really I've been great. I miss my old colleagues and I miss the kids, but I've felt so good with my decision. For the first time in a long time, my mind is at ease. I'm working hard on building Primary Focus, but when the day is done I shut my laptop and move on. When I was teaching, I never had a weekend without at least a few things to do, so having a liberated mind has been incredible.

But what do you do now? I'm working on my elevator pitch; it's not as streamlined as saying "teacher" but in a few words, I am a content creator. You'll be seeing a lot more of me on YouTube and social media. I've been able to expand to create products to sell to educators on Teachers Pay Teachers, launch this newsletter, and start publishing articles. When I was in grad school at Johns Hopkins much of my work was on parent outreach- I'm really excited to repurpose my work there to reach far beyond my classroom.

Next week I'm starting a new series: For a few weeks my newsletter will be focusing on productive homework time! If you know a family that's got the homework blues, encourage them to sign up for this newsletter. Send them this link.

See you next week!

Yours in education,

Natalie

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The scores are in and... You may have seen in recent headlines that the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) released test scores from the end of last school year with dramatic results. Test scores for kids (specifically 9 year olds) dropped to their lowest levels in decades. The world of ed news is freaking out and I'm concerned.

What's going on? I’m not concerned about the drop in scores- with effort and consistency, that can be made up. I’m more concerned about the approach taken to fix low scores. In my career, I’ve sat in countless data meetings, data dinners, data dives, and data pep rallies focused on "lifting" data. The effort to lift the data often starts with cutting the fat -- or rather, the fun -- from schools.

My concern here is we are going to quantify a unique moment in time. The push to improve test scores will take the fun out of classrooms. There’s already too much teaching to the test and drilling in US schools. What I’m seeing from the reaction to the test results is to expect even more of the same.

That means there’s no time for the arts, the fun electives, no time for field day, or the school play, no time for extra sports or all the things that make kids feel alive and part of a community at school.

We can't let these low test scores make schools unhappy places. So many kids are already under the pressure that their worth is a number- schools need to be well-balanced places where you are more than your grades.

After all, getting straight A's doesn't mean you're automatically a good person and leading a happy life.

So what can you do? If you have a child in school or work with them, make sure they are learning balance. The children who were in school during the pandemic have had it hard enough. Of course they need a well rounded education, but they also need to be kids. As the adults in the room, it's on us to make sure these headlines don't result in stress on our next generation.

Share this newsletter with a friend! ...and let me know what you think about the test scores.

Yours in education,

Natalie

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Hey there: Just dropping in to let you know the piglet video is up! These piglets are the reason why I ended up at A Zoo 2 You in the first place. They stole my heart 💖 Share with a friend and watch below!

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Share this newsletter with a friend! ...And keep an eye out for more videos from the farm- Poppy the Kinkajou will be getting her own feature next.

Yours in education,

Natalie

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I've been having some fun: In July I went to A Zoo 2 You in Monroe, NC to meet their animals. They run a mobile petting zoo business so they have lots of miniature farm animals and babies that love being near people. I spent hours filming with their animals. You can go there too- they do farm tours!

Something to watch: I need to humbly tell my husband he was right in this newsletter. He told me to wear jeans and I insisted on a dress for the video. As the video goes you can see it slowly get covered in mud 😂 At least it all washed out! Here it is below:

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Share this newsletter with a friend! ...And keep an eye out for more videos from the farm- a second one focusing on piglets will be posting very soon.

Yours in education,

Natalie

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For those of you that know me from my former school, I want you to know I loved working there. I try to make it clear, but there were much larger forces at play that made my job difficult. If anything, the community and PTA at my school kept me in teaching longer. I'll be thinking of you all over the next few weeks as school starts!

What else am I up to? A few weeks ago I visited a farm and soon I will have several family friendly videos out about meeting all the baby animals. Spoiler: there were 4 day old piglets- they were so sweet! I plan to visit some more attractions soon to create virtual field trip videos. Here's a sneak peek!

​https://youtube.com/shorts/PUBzElj4pIg?feature=share​

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Can you answer a question?: I'm planning for future newsletters and I'd love your feedback. Can you fill out this short survey?​

Share this newsletter with a friend! Thanks for reading- it means a lot 💕

Yours in education,

Natalie

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​#1 Let's talk phonics​

​#2 What are letter boxes?​

​#3 a, e, i, o, u and sometimes...​

​#4 ...but why is it spelled like that?​

Make phonics fun: Phonics is hard work to teach, but as your child's skills grow, it can actually be really fun. There's a whole world of word games out there ranging from rhyming games to scrabble that can get your child thinking. Here are some of my favorites (some links are affiliate links to things I love that I will earn a small commission from. There's no extra cost to you):

⭐︎ a portable spelling game easy for road trips that will have you feeling like you ain't no hollaback girl

⭐︎ a simple game for early spellers- you can upgrade to the harder version when they're ready

⭐︎ a classic game for older spellers that will get the whole family thinking

A quick survey: I'm planning for future newsletters and I'd love your feedback. Can you fill out this short survey?​

Share this newsletter with a friend! Thanks for reading- it means a lot 💕

Yours in education,

Natalie

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Share this newsletter with a friend! Just send them this link: https://newsletter.primaryfocus.tv/​

I'll be back next week with the final edition of my series on phonics!

Yours in education,

Natalie

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⭐︎ This puzzle will get your child thinking critically about vowel sounds

⭐︎ I had a spelling flip book like this in my classroom. Kids love it and will be delighted with the real and nonsense words they can create.

⭐︎ Practice filling in the missing vowel in words. You can try this in my packet on spelling CVC words!

⭐︎ And finally my favorite song about the long and short vowel sounds- it's so mellow

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Did you learn something new? I'd love it if you would forward this to a friend!

I'll be back next week with part 4 of my five part series on phonics!

Yours in education,

Natalie

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What's it mean?: When your child learns to spell and read, a whole new world opens up to them. But reading isn't natural and it's our job to get them to independence...

Enter Letter Boxes: You can't spell a long word like independent until you can spell short words. But if you look in the middle, there is a smaller chunk your kiddo may be able to sound out: inde-pen-dent

With a little nudge, any new speller can sound out the word pen ✍️ Elkonin Letter Boxes are a tool used to spell CVC words (consonant vowel consonant). They are a tool used to break down the sounds in a word. Here's an example:

Ok, but how can I use these?: I've got it all covered for you!

⭐︎ First, watch my newest video on using Elkonin Letter Boxes

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⭐︎ Then head to my store to download the free letter box practice sheet to try!

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⭐︎ If your kid is hooked, try my packet with more words to practice!

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Let me know if you tried spelling with a child by responding to this email or reaching out on social media. It's tough at first, but magical once a child gets it! 💫

I'll be back next week to continue my 5 part series on phonics!

Yours in education,

Natalie

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This is email 1 of 5 in my series on phonics: Over the next 5 weeks I'll share a series on phonics in this newsletter. It will have tips for those working with kids and plenty of fun facts for those following along to support (hi mom!)

Let's talk phonics: Phonics simply means the method used to teach reading and writing. It's for languages with an alphabet- like English and it's not for the faint of heart.

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Why?: Well, reading and writing is complicated! It's freaking hard to explain it and there is so much to learn.

Educators are still arguing about the best approach and you’ll probably observe many abrupt changes over the years (especially with testing). Don't get caught up in that though! If you commit as a family to prioritize school you can take on anything...even phonics 😜

How can I help?: Phonics is taught most heavily in Preschool to 2nd grade, then it tapers off. It's essential that a child has help outside of school to succeed. The good news is, reinforcing it doesn't have to be hard:

⭐︎ Read together. Every Day. Period.

⭐︎ When you teach the alphabet focus more on the letter's sound than its name. Say: W says /w/ like in walrus instead of Walrus starts with letter W. Watch more alphabet tips here!

⭐︎ Build writing into your routine- the more comfortable your kiddo is with writing, the easier it will become. Family journals are a really fun way to keep up with it. Here's a video on how to do it.

Share this newsletter with a friend and ask if they've signed up for my email list.

I'll be back next week with tips on how to spell using letter boxes!

Yours in education,

Natalie

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So what's next?: Well... this- I'm going to be expanding Primary Focus into my full time business. Here's some things to look forward to:

⭐︎ More videos! If you have suggestions, I'd love to hear them (respond to this email!). My 3 main focuses are videos for parents/teachers to watch, videos to watch with kids, and videos with some "Perso-Natalie" that are about me 😉

⭐︎ Selling teaching resources on my blog & TeachersPayTeachers​

⭐︎ Expanding my blog and publishing on education websites

I'm planning a lot, but I'm also giving myself time to rest and reflect. It's heartbreaking to leave something I love so much, but I hope I can leave education better than I found it. You can hear my thoughts on it with my newest video here:

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Share this video with a friend and ask if they've signed up for my email list. It's the easiest way to support me.

I'll be back in your inbox soon with more updates on videos, teaching tips, materials for your kids, and education news.

Yours in education,

Natalie

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Share this video with a friend that could use a little help with their teacher stare- it works wonders on kids!

I'll be back in your inbox soon with more updates on videos, teaching tips, materials for your kids, and education news.

Yours in education,

Natalie

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Summer slide sucks and it happens to all kids. Imagine the school year is a ladder. They spend all year building up knowledge and skills climbing up it. Once school is out, many children will "slide" back down the ladder. The average child will lose 2-3 months of learning and some lose even more.

A child's brain goes through a process called pruning. Just like you would prune a bush, their brain snips off information not being used. That's right- when it comes to the child's brain it's use it or lose it!

The good news is, you can take easy steps to help your child retain their knowledge. Commit to reading, reviewing, and critical thinking this summer.

I challenge you to:

🌴 read every day (look for your library's summer reading program and Barnes & Noble has one too)

🌴 Review a little daily- 5-10 minutes with flashcards is all you need

🌴 Pick out educational camps and visit museums, historical sites, and parks. These interactive experiences will have education built in!

My favorite products to help you commit to learning every day:

🌴 Brain Quest Summer Workbooks​

🌴 Summer Bridge Workbooks​

🌴 Nat Geo Kids Trivia​

You can also use some of my videos to review:

Here's my playlist of videos to teach math at home. It includes 4 subitizing games!

Here are some tips on how to get the most out of long road trips and wait time this summer:

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And finally my favorite- how to keep a summer journal the whole family can write in:

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Thanks for subscribing to my email list. This was my very first one 😄

I'll be back in your inbox soon with more updates on videos, teaching tips, materials for your kids, and education news.

Yours in education,

Natalie

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