We can't control our feelings, but we can control how we act on them. For students learning this concept as they grow socially and emotionally, this means not only recognizing feelings, but understanding what causes them, and how the same scenarios may impact others differently. Because social-emotional learning for elementary students is such an important part of their learning and development, we've again partnered with Cathy Henry, educator and founder of The Curriculum Corner and Free Word Work, to create this Emotion Meter Lesson Plan Activity Booklet to help students identify and express their feelings in a healthy way to nurture growth not only emotionally but academically as well. By creating a supportive environment for group discussion and sharing, you'll create that sense of community every teacher hopes for in the classroom.

As educators, we prepare our students not only with the tools needed to succeed in reading, writing, and arithmetic, but we're also preparing them for success as they move into adulthood beginning college and careers. As such, many schools consider implementing student-based enterprise programs, to teach students real-world skills in exploring all the facets of running a business - from research & development to manufacturing to accounting to marketing. And because we know every educator could use extra tools to keep in their teaching "toolboxes" - we've put together a comprehensive booklet that just might help.

In our technological age which revolves around the use of smartphones and other mobile devices, giving students physical materials from which they can learn facts, ideas, and concepts can be a challenge. Teachers are competing with social media updates that can keep students’ attention away from learning in the classroom. However, when it comes to making presentations, teachers can make an impact with the use of many different types of visual aids. At VariQuest, we help teachers teach students more effectively through the use of teaching and learning aids, including visual aid posters.

A February 2022 National Education Association survey of its members revealed that 55% of educators were ready to leave the profession they loved earlier than planned. Factors like low pay, support staff shortages, school safety, and the stresses of post-pandemic teaching have led to widespread burnout and exhaustion like we've never seen before. Keeping quality teachers who are passionate about making a difference in students' lives is obviously of the utmost importance. And while teacher compensation and staffing shortages may be a constant puzzle to solve, there are a few ways you can help teachers feel supported enough to stick around. Here are some of the ways you can approach increasing teacher retention, and how VariQuest can help.

At the beginning of the school year, educators might be feeling excited, hopeful, stressed, or maybe apprehensive about what's to come. As the year moves along, the uncertainty felt at the beginning becomes more certain as teachers settle into what works with their specific set of students, but as an administrator you want to do everything possible to keep that excitement and hopeful momentum going. While more pay and coworker comradery are obvious benefits in a workplace, here are three things teachers want to stay motivated and happy in their schools - alongside ways we at VariQuest can help.

What is a sense of community? The feeling of belonging and mattering to a group. Connection is something we all want. Feeling connected to people, to places, and to things feels important - but perhaps more important is feeling like you're personally part of a bigger picture. In the classroom, it's not just making friends, it's connecting the entire group together. In the school, it's not just connecting the grade levels together, but connecting the older kids with the younger kids, encouraging role models and leadership. When students feel connected to their class and their school, they feel a sense of safety and belonging when entering the building. When students are genuinely connected to their teachers, there is mutual trust and respect. In this bonus installment of our social-emotional learning unit series, we spark discussion among students about how we can all be more inclusive, and make everyone feel like they belong.

Finding teachers. Keeping teachers. Supporting teachers. Inspiring teachers. Helping teachers. When it comes to giving teachers the support they need to do their jobs effectively, we can all pitch in to make the job easier. For an administrator, providing an efficient, favorable work environment is of the utmost importance to maintain staff morale and promote creativity and student success. As teachers are stretched in many different directions navigating not only standard curriculum, but supporting the social-emotional growth of students while handling classroom and behavioral management, providing tools that can help do all of these things should be at the top of the priority list. How can you help save time, save money, and save sanity - to make your teachers' lives easier?

It's official: the fall 2022 school year has begun! In an effort to make the back-to-school transition more manageable, we've created an expansion pack for your VariQuest® Design Center Software to provide even more content available at your fingertips. The Engage Every Learner® Fall 2022 Expansion Pack includes brand new content for your Perfecta® STP Series Poster Design System, Motiva® 400 Specialty Printing System, and the Cutout Maker 1800 Digital Die-Cut System. This new content includes templates centered around fall sports, activities, and holidays. VariQuest customers can find this content expansion pack on the VariQuest Resource Center, under the “Downloadable Content” section of the Perfecta, Motiva and Cutout Maker tabs!

Planning, organizing, and having things to look forward to are concepts we all can appreciate. While surprises are sometimes lovely, clear expectations for what's ahead can bring a sense of calm - especially for students in the classroom. "Pop quiz" is a phrase almost no one wants to hear! For special education and primary students, this is especially true - and as we educators know, visuals can help bring a schedule to life. So in partnership with Cathy Henry, an educator and founder of The Curriculum Corner and Free Word Work, we've created this Visual Schedule Cards Lesson Plan activity to manage classroom anxiety, help with transitions, and encourage social-emotional wellbeing in the classroom. For both verbal and non-verbal students, this exercise will promote that sense of calm with clear expectations an organized schedule can bring for both teacher and student.

Now, don't panic yet...but ESSER I funding is expiring on September 30th, 2022. It's "use it or lose it" crunch time. ESSER II funding ends September 30th, 2023. ESSER III funding ends September 30th, 2024. According to a FutureEd analysis, most schools focused on spending their funding dollars on academic recovery, staffing, and school facilities and operations. Followed by technology, mental and physical health supports, and other miscellaneous financials, you, of course, have lots to consider as you determine how to finalize your spending of these precious funds.