Blog - La Maestra Loca

It’s Not About The Music Lyrics!

Hey!!!! I am feeling SOOOO inspired to write this blog for you tonight! Earlier this evening, Bertha Delgadillo and I went live together on Instagram to share about how we “ease” into music EARLY in the year with our new classes! ALL of them, even the most novice classes, benefit GREATLY from this early exposure to…

August 3, 2022Lesson plans and resources, Music

Teacher Appreciation and Encouragement

Why Your Feelings are Valid

I'm typing this on Sunday, the eve before my first day of school. This morning I woke up feeling okay, but within a couple of hours I found myself riddled with anxiety, wrestling a headache, and with a tummy ache that I just couldn’t shake. Paul was awesome and handled all the entertaining of Memphis…

July 27, 2022Teacher Appreciation and Encouragement

Teacher Appreciation and Encouragement

Top Takeaways From A Summer Conference

This week, I'm sharing my thoughts, feelings, observations, and gratitudes from a recent summer conference. “Is it over?!” “But I LOVE Spanish now!” “I’m going to miss Y’ALL!!!” (emphasis on the y’all) “Can we learn more Spanish this summer??!” These were some of my favorite quotes from my students at the end of iFLT this…

July 20, 2022Teacher Appreciation and Encouragement

Teacher Appreciation and Encouragement

Join the #SunSationalSummerChallenge

The third annual #SunSationalSummerChallenge is HERE! If you don't know what that means, please let me elaborate! A few summers ago, I started the challenge to help teachers COMPLETELY disconnect from school stuff and just have FUN for their summer. Each day, I recommended a little activity or a JOY-filled adventure, and teachers shared what…

July 12, 2022Teacher Appreciation and Encouragement

Workshops/Conferences/Teacher Training

How To Be Intentional During Conference Season

Hello, beautiful teacher! I hope you’re enjoying your summer and soaking in every single moment! I've been more present during my summer days than ever before, and I am so thankful for it! I took all of June off. Completely and totally off! No social media, no computer, no email… nothing! It was glorious! I…

July 5, 2022Workshops/Conferences/Teacher Training

Teacher Appreciation and Encouragement

Taking The Time To Rest As A Teacher

Rest, dear teacher… The 2021-2022 school year was the most challenging of my career. It was also the longest. It felt like it just kept going and going. Teaching Middle School is NOT what it was 10 years ago. This year, I experienced 9th grade level apathy from my 6th and 7th graders. However, my…

June 6, 2022Teacher Appreciation and Encouragement

Classroom Games Teaching Strategies

Stoplight Reading: A Favorite Reading Activity For Student Engagement

I did the most incredible thing (an engaging reading activity) with my students a couple of weeks ago! On a dreary Tuesday, I told my work wifey, Whitney, that I felt like really pushing my advanced 7th graders. I explained to her that I’ve been focusing a lot recently on really “fun” and joyful activities…

April 25, 2022Classroom Games, Teaching Strategies

Classroom Games

Spring Scavenger Hunt for World Language Students

This is my FAVORITE time of the year for getting OUTSIDE with my classes. If I can't be outside, I still like to create opportunities for lots of MOVEMENT with my students! I wanted to revive a SUPER FUN activity that I blogged about a few years ago! At the time, I was working at…

April 8, 2022Classroom Games

Classroom Games

Favorite Game for World Language Classrooms

At the beginning of this month, I led a free workshop called Moving Through March! I introduced teachers to some of my favorite games for World Language classrooms. March is such a long month, and motivating our students is incredibly challenging. In fact, getting engagement in some classes this year is like PULLING TEETH! #theapathyisREAL…

April 4, 2022Classroom Games

Podcast

An Inspiring, Authentic Podcast For World Language Teachers

I was talking about my podcast with a colleague today and realized mid-conversation that I haven't actually blogged about my newest adventure as a podcaster! Where to begin? I was inspired by my business coach, Alissa McDonald, to start one. I love hers! It's The Teacher Hustle Podcast, you've got to check it out. I…

March 22, 2022Podcast