TolentinoTeaching

Much of professional development in education is built on the illusion that teaching is more complicated than it truly is.

Instead of simply asking students to read, write, think, and discuss, we bury ourselves in jargon, acronyms, data charts, and endless protocols.

Respond to a Quote From a Toronto Blue Jay! Respond to a Quote by a Toronto Blue JayDownload

Respond to a Quote From a Toronto Blue Jay!

Link: briantolentino.com/respond-to-a...

You’re the only person who can teach the way you do.

Sure, some teaching styles get more praise than others. Don’t stress about that.

Your personality, your quirks, your insights—those are your superpowers.

Students need a teacher who is calm, confident, and unafraid to be themselves.

When we become obsessed with “rigor” and dismiss fundamental skills as “below grade level,” we stop teaching for student needs and start teaching for appearances.

It’s insanity, bruh.

Unpopular idea:

In our effort to make lessons both rigorous and equitable, we often create lessons that are neither.

Educational jargon is burning teachers out.

It’s vague, overloaded with buzzwords, and rarely offers anything concrete—just layers of theory with no practical path forward.

A clear, focused mind is ready to teach—not one weighed down by half a dozen trendy acronyms.

Since the education world is so easily captivated by the latest buzzworthy book, someone needs to write one about the art of keeping teaching simple and focused.

Vocabulary-Building Worksheet Here is a worksheet I use with my students so they can “play” and “experiment” with vocabulary from their readings. Students need to choose a word from a text that interests…

Here is a vocabulary-building worksheet that has worked well with my students!

briantolentino.com/vocabulary-b...

When I say teachers need space to be creative, I’m not saying “ditch the curriculum.”

I’m talking about the small tweaks and additions that make lessons come alive for the students you know best.

The genius of great teaching lies in its simplicity.

The tragedy of modern education is how complex we’ve made it.

To be truly great, a teacher must resist the noise of fads, trends, and buzzwords—and return to the art of simplifying everything.

One of my biggest concerns about professional development: there’s almost no room for disagreement.

It’s a compliance system. Check the boxes, get the points, move on.

We need self-driven PD that encourages debate, creativity, and real growth.

The Evolution of Seating Charts

2010: Fixed rows — designed for a teacher-centered classroom.

2018: Collaborative tables — built for a student-centered classroom.

2025: Groups of six or seven — arranged for an aura-centered classroom.

In the presence of a great teacher, you feel their conviction.

Apathy doesn’t shake them.

Hard days don’t break them.

Guided by purpose, they remain steady and consistent—and that steadiness leaves a lifelong mark on their students.

Teaching requires authority balanced with compassion. It’s a profession of intuition—knowing when to be firm and when to recognize the quiet struggles your students carry.

No assessment can capture this profoundly human skill.

If you want to improve reading scores, you have to get students to read.

It is that simple.

All the other systems, methods, and protocols are fluff.

Gotta get students to put down their phones, and pick up books.

Writing Prompt: The Locker! Video: Worksheet: The LockerDownload Donate Here: More Creative Writing Prompts Here:

Writing Prompt: The Locker!

Link: briantolentino.com/writing-prom...

10-Sentence Argument Challenge (Cell Phones) Topic: Should students be allowed to use cellphones in class? Worksheet: 10-Sentence Argument Challenge (Cellphones in Class)Download Donate here:

10-Sentence Argument Challenge (Cell Phones)

Link here: briantolentino.com/10-sentence-...

The most encouraging words an administrator can say to a teacher:

“Trust your instincts. Use your professional intuition for this unit—I can’t wait to see how you make it your own. Cut what you need. Add what you need. I trust you.”

I love planting big ideas in students’ minds with “I could see you…” statements:

- I could see you as a doctor.
- I could see you running your own gym.
- I could see you traveling the world.
- I could see you speaking 3+ languages.

Teach students to dream big.

Over-scaffolding feels good.

It feels good to see students working and turning in assignments.

My best lessons—however—involve resistance from students:

-complaining
-bickering
-signs of frustration

Overcoming doubt and adversity is when true learning occurs.

What’s changed with students since Covid?

Plenty.

But one thing stands out to me: stamina.

The stamina to read.
The stamina to write.

It wasn’t perfect before Covid, but it feels like it’s gotten worse.

What do you think?

What Does “Six Seven” Mean? What Does “Six Seven” MeanDownload

What Does “Six Seven” Mean?

I’m tired of hearing it—might as well have them write about it.

Link here: briantolentino.com/what-does-si...

Write a Creative Story About a Monster! Worksheet Here: Creative Writing Challenge MonsterDownload Similar resources here: Donate here:

Write a 10-Sentence Story About a Monster!

Link here: briantolentino.com/write-a-crea...

We are in an era of “pedagogical clutter.”

There’s a surplus of methods, practices, and acronyms to learn—and administrations are in a hurry to implement them. 

Teachers are constantly cramming new info, and retaining little. 

Let’s slow down, simplify, and focus.

Respond to the Quote! Sometimes students need to sit and write. No phones. No articles to read. Nothing. Just paper, a pencil, and ideas. The following worksheets require students to respond to a quote. That’s it. There…

Sometimes students need to sit and write.

No phones.

No articles to read.

Nothing.

Just paper, a pencil, and ideas.

The following worksheets require students to respond to a quote.

That’s it.

Link: briantolentino.com/respond-to-t...

Writing Challenge: My Life in Similes (10-Sentence Story) Worksheet: Writing Challenge My Life in Similes!Download Donate here:

Writing Challenge: My Life in Similes (10-Sentence Story)

Link: briantolentino.com/writing-chal...

I still feel clumsy analyzing some texts.

I still struggle to manage certain classes.

I don’t always provide timely feedback.

And that’s okay.

Stop being so hard on yourself—there’s no such thing as a perfect teacher.