Diary of a 21st Century Teacher

7-2, I’m already obsessed with you! 💚 Our class photo looks different this year, but thanks to Pixton, we were still able to “take one.”


One of my teammates found Pixton...a good free alternative to Bitmojis for students! While I love a good Bitmoji, it’s not fair to assume all students have one. This is an easy, *equitable* option.


We’re using this to help build community in our homeroom AND embrace their individuality! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🖤🤍🤎

Get yourself a principal who thinks so outside of the box that she gets you (donated) pool lounge chair furniture for your courtyard 💁🏻‍♀️


This week was a doozy...never have I ever needed a like I did this Friday 😅..happy weekend!

...And you thought we were extra dog parents...We can’t wait to meet our new 💙 little guy 💙 January 2021!

Fletcher is still deciding how he feels about the whole thing, but we know he’s going to be the best big brother ever! 💙

Thanks for taking these amazing photos for us, Dean!

I’m super nervous to return to the building, and wanted a couple subtle reminders for my office, especially when students eventually return 🦠. These simple prints are perfect for my plain Jane, color averse self. For those who are slightly more adventurous, color wise, these would be great to print on , too! Enjoy these little in my store, called: FREEBIE: Printable Safety Posters. Link in profile!

Oh hey! Here’s the final product after my weekend tie dying extravaganza! We love some school spirit, so I know I’ll be sporting these cuties when we go back! 💚🖤🤍🐺 ..more to come with what I’m doing with the rest of them! 🤗 Would you and your students rock some face mask spirit wear?!?


Shout out to my mom, who, from day one of quarantine decided to start sewing masks. She sells them on Etsy, and for each mask she sells, she donates one. She has donated hundreds of masks so far, and decided to donate a small portion to our one and only Thomas Middle School! You da best, Mom!

Little Saturday project in the sun! ☀️ I’m working on a little back to school project for our students...can you guess what I’m making?! 💚🖤🤍

I just wanted to let you know...thanks for the inspo,


We’ve all been riding this same emotional roller coaster. Our reopening plan is officially being announced today, although I know it can change in a heartbeat. As a planner, this uncertainty has left me frustrated, uneasy, anxious, you name it. I’m TRYING to enjoy my last few weeks of summer...TRYING to look for the good in a bad situation...TRYING to give my admin grace, I can’t imagine the stress they’re going through...and TRYING not to freak out about the unknown



*This week*, me trying means:
☀️ soaking up some vitamin d
🥗 lunch dates with my teacher friends
🚶🏻‍♀️long walks & audiobooks & podcasts
👩🏻‍🍳 trying new recipes
💻 creating new goodies
🤓 learning teachery things

Hang in there, teacher friends!

😏 Here I am pretending like I’m shopping on Amazon JUST for the deals. Raise your hand if you’re obsessed with Amazon, too! Loving any excuse to fill my cart up with new teacher outfits, books, and supplies!


I curated some of my teacher faves for you. Click my link in bio for the lists and check out my SHOP highlights for more info.


What are your must haves?

When you and have the same birth-year 💁🏽‍♀️ Happy early Birthday to ME! — 30 Things I Learned (About Teaching) Before Turning 30



I learned to embrace change.
I learned my time is precious...and so is others’.
Relationships are everything.
I learned that it’s totally fine if I don’t know the answer to something that students ask.
I learned my role isn’t harder or more important than others’.
Getting involved outside of school makes everything better.
Taking on leadership roles is tough, but worth it.
ALL kids are good...even that one.
ALL students are motivated by choice.
I learned that students have awesome ideas.
Connecting with other educators will make you a better teacher.
EVERY student is so very different.
Judging other teachers is lame.
8th graders aren’t scary.
There is only one kind of tape that works on walls year round.
If I HATE grading it, it’s not a good assessment.
It is ok to say no.
Instagram is cool, but it doesn’t determine whether or not you’re a good teacher.
I can’t please everyone.
If I made my decision keeping in mind the best interest of students, it was the right decision.
Snow days are still exciting.
I learned that students feed off of my energy.
Kids remember that one time you did a cartwheel to be funny, but not the one lesson you prepared for hours.
Email is not always the best way to communicate.
We’re all in this together.
Negativity is contagious.
Technology is a tool.
School isn’t the only important thing.
I’ve learned to make checklists.
Readers are leaders.

I noticed I’ve made a few new friends lately, so I just wanted to say HAAYYYY! I’m Lauren!


💡I taught 4th grade for 7 years, and this year I started a new role as a Student Learning Coach (see highlights for more)!

🍦 I met my husband at Oberweis in high school

🐰 We have a French Bulldog named Fletcher (AKA Fletch, Bunny, Flecci Mane)

🏙 I’m OBSESSED with my city, Chicago! (..just not the winters)

✈️ I want to travel EVERYWHERE

💁🏻‍♀️ ENFJ to my CORE

🌈 Creativity is my love language. I don’t have one particular passion when it comes to making, but the more I make, the happier I am

🙏 Yoga makes me happy — the hotter the better!

🥑 BRUNCH is the most important meal of the day

💋 Mean Girls quotes can be applied to just about every situation

🗒 The Office and Parks & Rec. quotes for everything else

🎧 Podcast OBSESSED! Give me all of the recommendations!


What do we have in common?!
@ Chicago, Illinois

I noticed I’ve made a few new friends lately, so I just wanted to say HAAYYYY! I’m Lauren!

💡I taught 4th grade for 7 years, and this year I started a new role as a Student Learning Coach (see highlights for more)!

🍦 I met my husband at Oberweis in high school

🐰 We have a French Bulldog named Fletcher (AKA Fletch, Bunny, Flecci Mane)

🏙 I’m OBSESSED with my city, Chicago! (..just not the winters)

✈️ I want to travel EVERYWHERE

💁🏻‍♀️ ENFJ to my CORE

🌈 Creativity is my love language. I don’t have one particular passion when it comes to making, but the more I make, the happier I am

🙏 Yoga makes me happy — the hotter the better!

🥑 BRUNCH is the most important meal of the day

💋 Mean Girls quotes can be applied to just about every situation

🗒 The Office and Parks & Rec. quotes for everything else

🎧 Podcast OBSESSED! Give me all of the recommendations!


What do we have in common?!
@ Chicago, Illinois