It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.

Man in the Arena,  a speech by Theodore Roosevelt

 You didn’t even know the US Naval Academy existed until your brother decided to attend a Service Academy Night at the School District. He’s a year younger and a passionate student of military history. Mom joined him and when they returned, pronounced, “It’s you.”

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Every month, subscribers to our newsletter get a free/discounted resource to help their tech teaching.

K-5 New Teacher Survival Kit

9 ebooks, 65 digital posters 

$222.95  Marked down to $178.95

ends October 7, 2025

• K-5 tech curriculum textbooks (Common Core aligned)–a year’s worth of skills-based, project-based learning that ties into class units. 
• Ultimate Guide to Keyboarding: K-5–K-5 keyboard curriculum–essentials of keyboarding in 45-minutes a week
• K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum–click for more information
• 169 Real-World Ways to Put Tech into Your Class you’ll be expected to know how to solve common computer problems. Click for more information
• 65 ePosters to share most-important tech details with students

Click here to purchase (more…)

Recognizing dyslexia

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Here are the most-read posts for the month:

1. Be Featured on Ask a Tech Teacher
2. Here’s How to Get Started with Ask a Tech Teacher
3. #9: How to Look Like a Photoshop Pro–in Fifth Grade
4. 20+ Back To School Websites
5. Online Sites to Teach Mouse Skills
6. 50+ Websites on Keyboarding
7. The Quiet Power Of Puzzles In A Noisy Classroom
8. Should You Unschool?
9. Autumn Websites
10. Tech Ed Resources–Mentoring and Coaching

Here’s a preview of what’s coming up: (more…)

How AI is Giving Teachers Back Their Weekends: A Peek Inside the Classroom Revolution

In the whirlwind of a teacher’s day—juggling lesson tweaks, student IEPs, and that inevitable stack of assessments – it’s easy to feel like the weekend is just a myth. I remember my first year teaching middle school science in a diverse urban district. I’d spend Friday nights hunched over my laptop, piecing together slides from outdated textbooks, scrambling to adapt activities for English language learners, and crossing my fingers that the lesson would actually land with my mixed-ability class. It wasn’t just exhausting; it chipped away at the joy of why I got into teaching in the first place. Fast-forward to today, and tools like TeachAid are flipping that script, turning hours of drudgery into minutes of magic. If you’re a teacher staring down another unit plan, this is the friendly nudge you’ve been waiting for. (more…)

Yom Kippur, often called the Day of Atonement, is one of the holiest days in the Jewish calendar. This year it is October 4-5, 2025.

It’s a time for reflection, repentance, and seeking forgiveness for sins from the past year.

Observant Jews fast for about 25 hours, refrain from work, and spend much of the day in prayer, attending synagogue services like Kol Nidre and Ne’ilah. The focus is on spiritual renewal, making amends with others, and reconnecting with God.

It’s a solemn but meaningful day, ending with a sense of cleansing and hope, often celebrated with a festive meal to break the fast. Think of it as a spiritual reset button with a side of community and introspection!

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October is National Bullying Prevention Month. Bullying is no longer relegated to the playground or the neighborhood. It now regularly happens in the cyberworld. Kids don’t expect that and often don’t know how to handle it. This longish article will address cyberbullies–those who bully online rather than in person:

Who are cyberbullies?

Cyberbullies are too often everyday kids with no idea of the damage they’re doing. Their profile is as disturbingly common as it is unremarkable:

1. May be introverts, underdogs or underachievers.
2. May have low self-esteem.
3. Often feel like a victim themselves.
4. May not know how to express anger in an appropriate manner.
5. Would be unlikely to say to someone’s face what they say in cyberspace (especially if there’s a parent or teacher to witness it).
6. Use the Internet as a way to “get even” or vent their frustrations.
7. Often unwilling to take responsibility for their actions.

Almost 70% of cyberbullies also bully in real life. More general characteristics include: (more…)

From Shifts to Success: How Nurses Can Keep Learning Without Burnout

Image source: Pexels

Nursing is one of the most demanding careers. The hours are long, the work is intense, and the responsibilities are never-ending. Yet, many nurses know that professional growth is just as important as patient care. Whether aiming for leadership roles, higher pay, or specialized expertise, continuing education opens doors. The challenge is finding balance. How can nurses keep learning without adding stress or risking burnout?

In this article, nurses can find some smart strategies that can help them advance their careers without compromising their well-being. (more…)

The K-8 education journey is tame compared to post-graduate school. Managing the years required to obtain a Masters and in this case, a Doctors, can be daunting enough to frighten off the most committed of students. The Ask a Tech Teacher team has a quick overview of how to make it less treacherous and more successful:

From Students to Scholars: Navigating the Doctoral Journey in the Digital Age

Image credit: Pexels

Today, employers, universities, and research organizations value candidates who can contribute original thinking and lead projects that solve complex problems. This has created more interest in doctoral programs than ever before, but it has also raised new questions. How do students prepare for such a long academic journey?

The doctoral journey is very different today than it was even twenty years ago. Students now have more ways to access advanced education, but they also face new distractions and pressures. This article takes a closer look at what it means to move from student to scholar in the digital age, and how learners can navigate the path with confidence and preparation. (more…)

A lot of teacher-authors read my WordDreams blog. In this monthly column, I share a popular post from the past month: