Educator Enrichment Express

Tuesday, October 7, 2025

Issue 12 - October 2025

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In today's issue:

*BRAND NEW Educator Spotlight, Featuring Ashland's Alyssa Prater

*Educator Wellbeing - Tips for Thriving, Not Just Surviving

*AI for Educators - Google Gemini

*Classroom Tricks & Treats: Sparking Engagement

The theme for this year’s Educator Spotlight recognition is "epic learning," a concept that can feel grand and abstract.  I had the privilege of seeing what it looks like in its purest form. I walked into a classroom and saw epic learning, not in a grand gesture, but in the quiet, steady, and profound work of an educator who is changing lives, one student at a time.

 

Nominated by her principal, Brian Trettin, who praised her for a remarkable ability to "[meet] every child exactly where they are," I came with high expectations. What I found was something more than a classroom; it was a sanctuary. The air itself felt different—calm, inviting, and entirely student-centered. Every student who walked through the door did so with light feet, their faces bright and open. One, settling in to work, said aloud, "I'm so happy. I'm really excited." In a high school, that simple, unsolicited declaration of joy is nothing short of miraculous.

 

The educator at the center of this remarkable space, Alyssa Prater (Alternative Education, Ashland High School), moves with a quiet grace, approaching each student with a blend of patience and genuine compassion. It’s immediately clear that her role transcends academics. She is a mentor, an advocate, and a life coach. Alyssa speaks of her passion for engaging students with their school community and her firm belief in flexibility as a tool to help them rediscover, sometimes initially discover, a love for learning. She doesn't just see the credits a student needs to graduate; she sees the individual as much more than that - strong, capable, human beings just needing a guiding, loving hand.

 

The most powerful testament to Alyssa’s work, however, came not from my observations but from one of her students. I had the chance to speak with a young woman who is graduating at the end of the first semester, and as she spoke about her teacher, her gratitude was unmistakable.

"She is helpful," the student began, a simple statement that quickly deepened. "She goes above and beyond." When I asked if this teacher had an impact on her ability to get back on track and graduate, her answer was instant and emphatic: "YES! She really did."

 

The conversation revealed an impact far deeper than just academic support. "She changed me for the better," the student shared, her voice thick with emotion. "She always thinks about what is best for students." With tears in her eyes, she explained how this educator advocates for her, communicates her needs, and "works with everybody." This teacher, she explained, possesses a profound level of understanding. "You can talk to her about literally anything."

 

Perhaps her most poignant statement was this: "I feel dumb in my classes, but then I come in here... and she makes it so much better." She gestured around the room. "This room—you are always welcome."

In that moment, the principal's words came into full focus. This educator ensures "that each student feels seen, supported, and capable of reaching their goals." She is not just preparing them for graduation; she is rebuilding their confidence, nurturing their spirits, and equipping them to succeed in life. This is the heart of epic learning. It’s compassionate, it’s personal, and it’s the powerful reminder that for a student, the right teacher isn't just a great person—they are a turning point.

Let's get to know Alyssa a little more!

This year's theme is "Epic Learning". What does that phrase mean to you in the context of your classroom?

Alyssa: In The Marina (our Alt Ed Classroom & The RVA Learning Center), when discussing an upcoming assignment, a life or career goal, or other aspiration, I ask students, “What skills do you need to be successful at this?”, “On a scale of one to ten, how confident are you in those skills?”, and “What would it take to increase that confidence by one? What would you need from me?”. Reflecting on their answers, students recognize their role in the process of growth required to complete an assignment, get hired, achieve anything - that is Epic Learning. 

What brings you the most joy and passion in your work?

Alyssa: When students realize they are in control of their education, they choose to take ownership of and responsibility for it. 

What is the most important lesson you hope students take away from their year with you, beyond the curriculum?  

Alyssa: To find something they enjoy learning, academic or otherwise, to realize that learning can be a lifelong, enjoyable endeavor if they choose to be curious. 

Looking back, what are you most proud of in your teaching career so far?  

Alyssa: Last Spring, I attended the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa’s quilt ceremony. Seeing my students standing proudly wrapped in their star quilts was extremely moving. I was proud to be introduced to families as an important part of their path to graduation.

October is here! The leaves are turning, the air is crisp, and classroom routines are in full swing. This is also the month when the marathon of the school year truly begins. The initial adrenaline has faded, and the finish line is not yet in sight. That's why prioritizing your own wellbeing right now isn't a luxury—it's essential.

Here are a few practical, bite-sized tips to help you stay energized, focused, and well this month.

 

In the Classroom: Tending Your Professional Garden

Your classroom is your domain, but it can also be a source of immense stress. Try these small shifts to reclaim your peace during the school day.

*Embrace the "One Thing" Rule: Your to-do list is endless. Instead of trying to do it all, identify the one most important thing that needs to be accomplished today. Celebrate getting that one thing done.

*Schedule 60-Second Resets: You may not get a long break, but you can find a minute. Between classes or while students are working independently, close your eyes and take three slow, deep breaths. Stretch your arms overhead. This tiny pause can reset your nervous system.

*Find a "Work Friend" Lifeline: Identify a colleague you can check in with. A quick, supportive chat in the hallway or a shared knowing glance can make a world of difference when you're feeling overwhelmed. Community is your superpower.

*Celebrate the Small Wins: Did a student have a lightbulb moment? Did a lesson go better than expected? Take a moment to consciously acknowledge it. Keep a sticky note on your desk to jot down one positive thing from each day.

 

For Your Mind: Finding Clarity in the Crisp Air

The mental load of teaching is heavy. These strategies can help you set boundaries and protect your mental energy.

*The "Brain Dump" Commute: Before you leave the school building, take 5 minutes to write down everything on your mind—unfinished tasks, worries, ideas for tomorrow. Leave the list (and the stress) at school so you can be more present at home.

*Set a Hard Stop Time: Decide on a time you will leave the building or shut your laptop for the night, and stick to it. The work will always be there, but your time to recharge is finite.

*Engage a Different Part of Your Brain: After a day of thinking about curriculum and classroom management, do something completely different. Listen to a true-crime podcast, work on a puzzle, try a new recipe, or pick up an old hobby. Give your "teacher brain" a rest.

*Practice Mindful Moments: You don't need a 30-minute meditation. Simply savor your morning coffee without scrolling on your phone. Notice the autumn colors on your drive home. Pay attention to the crunch of leaves under your feet. These small moments of mindfulness can ground you in the present.

 

For Your Body: Fueling Up for the Season

Your physical health is the foundation of your mental and emotional resilience. Don't let it slide.

*Chase the Sunlight: With the days getting shorter, it's crucial to get some natural light. Eat your lunch near a window or, better yet, take a 5-minute walk outside during your prep period. Vitamin D and fresh air are powerful mood boosters.

*Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate: It's so simple, but easily forgotten. Keep a large water bottle at your desk and sip it throughout the day. Dehydration is a leading cause of fatigue and headaches.

*Pack a "Joyful" Snack: In addition to healthy fuel, pack a small snack that feels like a treat. A delicious piece of dark chocolate, a favorite granola bar, or a crisp apple can provide a small moment of joy and an energy boost for the afternoon slump.

*Move Gently: Don't feel pressured to do an intense workout. A gentle 15-minute walk after dinner, a relaxing yoga video on YouTube, or simply stretching before bed can help release the physical tension that builds up during the day.

 

Remember, taking care of yourself is the most important lesson you can model for your students. Your wellbeing matters. Thank you for all that you do.

 

Ever wish you had a tireless assistant to help brainstorm lesson ideas, draft parent emails, or create classroom materials? Meet Google Gemini, a powerful and user-friendly AI tool that can act as your creative partner, saving you valuable time and energy.

 

Think of Gemini as a conversational assistant designed to help with the "behind-the-scenes" work of teaching. Instead of staring at a blank page, you can ask Gemini to help you get started. As we head toward the busy end of the semester, it's the perfect tool to have in your back pocket.

 

How can Gemini help you in your role?

Differentiate Instruction in Seconds: Paste in a reading passage and ask Gemini to rewrite it for three different reading levels. Instantly, you have accessible content for every student in your classroom.

Generate Creative Lesson Materials: Need a new project rubric, a set of engaging exit tickets for your Friday lesson, or 10 vocabulary words with definitions for your unit on ancient civilizations? Just ask.

Streamline Parent Communication: Quickly draft a professional and empathetic email to a parent about a student's progress, a classroom update, or an upcoming event.

Brainstorm Fresh Ideas: Feeling stuck? Ask Gemini for "five creative ways to introduce the water cycle to second graders" or "a fun project idea to wrap up a high school history unit on the Roaring Twenties."

 

How to Get Started:

It's simple! Just visit gemini.google.com and type your request in the chat box. Be as specific as you can.

 

Try this prompt: "Act as a 4th-grade teacher. Help me create a lesson plan to teach fractions using pizza as an analogy. Include a learning objective, a warm-up question, and an idea for a hands-on activity."

 

The goal of tools like Gemini is to handle the tedious tasks, freeing you up to focus on what matters most: connecting with and inspiring your students.

October can be a long haul, but it's also a fantastic time to lean into the season and re-energize your classroom with activities that spark curiosity and deep engagement. Here are a few adaptable PreK-12 tips to help you and your students find a fresh spark of excitement for learning.

1. Host an Autumn Gallery Walk Get students out of their seats and moving with a purpose. A gallery walk involves posting content—questions, images, problems, or quotes—at different "stations" around the room. Students rotate in small groups to discuss, solve, or respond to the prompt at each station. This simple strategy encourages collaboration, movement, and active thinking.

For Little Learners (PreK-2): Stations could feature different autumn objects to describe (a bumpy gourd, a smooth leaf), sight words to find, or simple math problems with pumpkin pictures as counters.

For Older Students (6-12): Use stations for analyzing primary source documents in history, solving complex equations in math, interpreting passages from a novel, or examining scientific diagrams.

2. Unveil a "Mystery Box" or "Mystery Document" Tap into students' natural curiosity by starting a lesson with an unknown. Bring in a sealed box and have students ask yes/or-no questions to guess the object inside, or project a compelling image, historical artifact, or snippet of text on the board without context. Let students become detectives, asking questions and forming hypotheses before you even begin the lesson.

For Elementary: A physical "Mystery Box" containing a pinecone, an acorn, or a woolly bear caterpillar can launch a fantastic science lesson on seasons and nature.

For Middle/High School: A "Mystery Document" could be a political cartoon, a line of code, an intriguing data graph, or a single powerful stanza from a poem. This builds critical inference and analysis skills from the very first minute of class.

3. Take a "Notice & Wonder" Walk Authentic learning connects the classroom to the world around us. Take your students outside for 10 minutes—even just around the school building—with a simple goal: find one thing you notice, and then write down one thing you wonder about it. The vibrant autumn landscape here in Rothschild is the perfect backdrop for this. A student might notice the frost on the grass and wonder why it only appears in the morning, or notice a flock of geese flying south and wonder how they navigate. These student-generated questions are powerful and can lead to the most authentic research projects, scientific inquiries, and creative writing prompts.

 

Please reach out at any time!

cassandra.kulibert@ruralvirtual.org

888-801-2666 ext. 8883