Miriam Plotinsky
@mirplo.bsky.social
Author, ELA supervisor in MCPS, and forever fan of all things peanut butter. Opinions my own!
Reposted by Miriam Plotinsky
Guest @mirplo.bsky.social shares lessons she's learned on last week's School of Practice episode.
Listen and follow: https://edut.to/4gHCpln
Listen and follow: https://edut.to/4gHCpln
September 16, 2026 at 9:24 AM
Guest @mirplo.bsky.social shares lessons she's learned on last week's School of Practice episode.
Listen and follow: https://edut.to/4gHCpln
Listen and follow: https://edut.to/4gHCpln
Reposted by Miriam Plotinsky
"We have the ability to do a little bit less grading while still providing students with valuable feedback for their growth."
@mirplo.bsky.social via @edutopia.org
www.edutopia.org/article/how-...
@mirplo.bsky.social via @edutopia.org
www.edutopia.org/article/how-...
The Endless Pile: How to Mitigate Grading Woes
By reserving grades for work that truly measures progress and using feedback for everything else, teachers can reduce stress and give students clear guidance for growth.
www.edutopia.org
September 10, 2026 at 9:46 PM
"We have the ability to do a little bit less grading while still providing students with valuable feedback for their growth."
@mirplo.bsky.social via @edutopia.org
www.edutopia.org/article/how-...
@mirplo.bsky.social via @edutopia.org
www.edutopia.org/article/how-...
Reposted by Miriam Plotinsky
Listened to this yesterday and continued to think about it today—my first day with students!—and more than anything how we really don't create cultures to discuss these "mistakes" by teachers in a way that opens the door to growth.
My wondering: what can be done to shift that? #EduSky
My wondering: what can be done to shift that? #EduSky
How do you reset after making a mistake?
In this episode of School of Practice, ELA teacher and instructional specialist Miriam Plotinsky digs into the most common teacher mistakes and identifies key strategies for quick, effective resets that get learning back on track.
In this episode of School of Practice, ELA teacher and instructional specialist Miriam Plotinsky digs into the most common teacher mistakes and identifies key strategies for quick, effective resets that get learning back on track.
Podcast: 5 Common Teacher Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Teacher mistakes remind us that the learning never stops. Here are tips for coping and resetting when things go sideways in class.
www.edutopia.org
September 10, 2026 at 1:38 AM
Listened to this yesterday and continued to think about it today—my first day with students!—and more than anything how we really don't create cultures to discuss these "mistakes" by teachers in a way that opens the door to growth.
My wondering: what can be done to shift that? #EduSky
My wondering: what can be done to shift that? #EduSky
Mistakes are human. They’re also an important data point to let us know how to move forward.
Really enjoyed discussing this on the @edutopia.org School of Practice podcast!
www.edutopia.org/podcast/5-co...
Really enjoyed discussing this on the @edutopia.org School of Practice podcast!
www.edutopia.org/podcast/5-co...
September 10, 2026 at 11:28 AM
Mistakes are human. They’re also an important data point to let us know how to move forward.
Really enjoyed discussing this on the @edutopia.org School of Practice podcast!
www.edutopia.org/podcast/5-co...
Really enjoyed discussing this on the @edutopia.org School of Practice podcast!
www.edutopia.org/podcast/5-co...
Reposted by Miriam Plotinsky
Other teachers just get it.
@mirplo.bsky.social explains how having a thought partner—and someone to cover your room for bathroom breaks—is a huge benefit for new teachers. 🤝
@mirplo.bsky.social explains how having a thought partner—and someone to cover your room for bathroom breaks—is a huge benefit for new teachers. 🤝
Having a Teacher Friend Is the Most Useful Resource in Year One
All teachers need thought partners—and someone to cover their room for bathroom breaks—and for new teachers the benefits can be huge.
edut.to
September 6, 2026 at 5:37 PM
Other teachers just get it.
@mirplo.bsky.social explains how having a thought partner—and someone to cover your room for bathroom breaks—is a huge benefit for new teachers. 🤝
@mirplo.bsky.social explains how having a thought partner—and someone to cover your room for bathroom breaks—is a huge benefit for new teachers. 🤝
I’m writing a story for @edutopia.org about managing top teacher challenges:
1. Work overload + zero time
2. Inconsistent leadership
3. Student behavior (phones, disruption)
4. Communication with families and caregivers
Have strategies? DM or comment. I’d love to include what works for you!
1. Work overload + zero time
2. Inconsistent leadership
3. Student behavior (phones, disruption)
4. Communication with families and caregivers
Have strategies? DM or comment. I’d love to include what works for you!
August 31, 2026 at 12:00 PM
I’m writing a story for @edutopia.org about managing top teacher challenges:
1. Work overload + zero time
2. Inconsistent leadership
3. Student behavior (phones, disruption)
4. Communication with families and caregivers
Have strategies? DM or comment. I’d love to include what works for you!
1. Work overload + zero time
2. Inconsistent leadership
3. Student behavior (phones, disruption)
4. Communication with families and caregivers
Have strategies? DM or comment. I’d love to include what works for you!
Reposted by Miriam Plotinsky
"Teacher friends remind us that we are not alone in our challenges or our growth."
I think everyone had that first incredible person who made their work of teaching easier—who was yours?
(Mine: the absolute blessing that was Mrs. Hall across the hallway from me! so much joy, so much wisdom 🙏)
I think everyone had that first incredible person who made their work of teaching easier—who was yours?
(Mine: the absolute blessing that was Mrs. Hall across the hallway from me! so much joy, so much wisdom 🙏)
August 29, 2026 at 6:04 PM
"Teacher friends remind us that we are not alone in our challenges or our growth."
I think everyone had that first incredible person who made their work of teaching easier—who was yours?
(Mine: the absolute blessing that was Mrs. Hall across the hallway from me! so much joy, so much wisdom 🙏)
I think everyone had that first incredible person who made their work of teaching easier—who was yours?
(Mine: the absolute blessing that was Mrs. Hall across the hallway from me! so much joy, so much wisdom 🙏)
Reposted by Miriam Plotinsky
"The inherent unpredictability of the profession means that even the most experienced teachers encounter uncertainty on a regular basis"
This piece by @mirplo.bsky.social for @edutopia.org is the healthiest of reminders, I think (especially with a new school year!)
www.edutopia.org/article/bene...
This piece by @mirplo.bsky.social for @edutopia.org is the healthiest of reminders, I think (especially with a new school year!)
www.edutopia.org/article/bene...
Having a Teacher Friend Is the Most Useful Resource in Year One
All teachers need thought partners—and someone to cover their room for bathroom breaks—and for new teachers the benefits can be huge.
www.edutopia.org
August 29, 2026 at 6:05 PM
"The inherent unpredictability of the profession means that even the most experienced teachers encounter uncertainty on a regular basis"
This piece by @mirplo.bsky.social for @edutopia.org is the healthiest of reminders, I think (especially with a new school year!)
www.edutopia.org/article/bene...
This piece by @mirplo.bsky.social for @edutopia.org is the healthiest of reminders, I think (especially with a new school year!)
www.edutopia.org/article/bene...
Reposted by Miriam Plotinsky
Kick off your school year with our *new* resource collection, packed with ideas about classroom design, family communication, routines and norms, and more! 👇
#EduSky #k12
#EduSky #k12
Back-to-School Starter Pack
A roundup of Edutopia favorites to help you kick off the school year strong, with ideas for classroom design, family communication, community-building, routines and norms, and classroom management.
www.edutopia.org
August 11, 2026 at 2:13 AM
Reposted by Miriam Plotinsky
Your grading pile may feel like a chain that’s dragging you down. 📄⛓️
@mirplo.bsky.social shares grading advice that reduces stress, gives students guidance *and* changes the way assessments push your class forward.
#Assessment #EduSky
@mirplo.bsky.social shares grading advice that reduces stress, gives students guidance *and* changes the way assessments push your class forward.
#Assessment #EduSky
The Endless Pile: How to Mitigate Grading Woes
By reserving grades for work that truly measures progress and using feedback for everything else, teachers can reduce stress and give students clear guidance for growth.
www.edutopia.org
August 4, 2026 at 11:57 PM
Your grading pile may feel like a chain that’s dragging you down. 📄⛓️
@mirplo.bsky.social shares grading advice that reduces stress, gives students guidance *and* changes the way assessments push your class forward.
#Assessment #EduSky
@mirplo.bsky.social shares grading advice that reduces stress, gives students guidance *and* changes the way assessments push your class forward.
#Assessment #EduSky
Reposted by Miriam Plotinsky
“Our instructional decisions are strongest when they are informed by multiple data points: what students both say and write, how they apply ideas over time, what formative assessments reveal, and how learning transfers beyond a single activity,” @mirplo.bsky.social writes. ⬇️
#assessment #EduSky
#assessment #EduSky
Working to See the Full Picture
By intentionally seeking multiple perspectives and testing assumptions, teachers can position themselves to make decisions that expand learning opportunities for students.
www.edutopia.org
July 20, 2026 at 11:57 AM
“Our instructional decisions are strongest when they are informed by multiple data points: what students both say and write, how they apply ideas over time, what formative assessments reveal, and how learning transfers beyond a single activity,” @mirplo.bsky.social writes. ⬇️
#assessment #EduSky
#assessment #EduSky
Some big news today!
So grateful and excited to lead and support literacy and ELA in my district.
So grateful and excited to lead and support literacy and ELA in my district.
July 16, 2026 at 11:04 PM
Some big news today!
So grateful and excited to lead and support literacy and ELA in my district.
So grateful and excited to lead and support literacy and ELA in my district.
What happens when a lesson you teach looks great on paper but falls flat in practice?
Let me know if you’ve ever leaned on a colleague to help with this problem, and how it turned out. Just a little something I’m working on for @edutopia.org!
Let me know if you’ve ever leaned on a colleague to help with this problem, and how it turned out. Just a little something I’m working on for @edutopia.org!
July 12, 2026 at 10:12 PM
What happens when a lesson you teach looks great on paper but falls flat in practice?
Let me know if you’ve ever leaned on a colleague to help with this problem, and how it turned out. Just a little something I’m working on for @edutopia.org!
Let me know if you’ve ever leaned on a colleague to help with this problem, and how it turned out. Just a little something I’m working on for @edutopia.org!
July 3, 2026 at 7:07 PM
Hi #EduSky! I’m writing an article for @edutopia.org about the benefits of having a teacher friend in the building.
Please message me if you have thoughts or stories to share about colleagues who have lifted you up!
Please message me if you have thoughts or stories to share about colleagues who have lifted you up!
June 23, 2026 at 12:01 PM
Hi #EduSky! I’m writing an article for @edutopia.org about the benefits of having a teacher friend in the building.
Please message me if you have thoughts or stories to share about colleagues who have lifted you up!
Please message me if you have thoughts or stories to share about colleagues who have lifted you up!
Reposted by Miriam Plotinsky
When life gives you lemons… 🍋
If you’re heading into teacher training this summer, @mirplo.bsky.social has a recipe for making lemonade.
#TeacherPD #ProfessionalDevelopment
If you’re heading into teacher training this summer, @mirplo.bsky.social has a recipe for making lemonade.
#TeacherPD #ProfessionalDevelopment
Do We Have To?: Making the Most of Summer Training
Even mandated professional learning sessions can be worthwhile if you focus on connecting them to your own problems of practice.
www.edutopia.org
June 23, 2026 at 1:39 AM
When life gives you lemons… 🍋
If you’re heading into teacher training this summer, @mirplo.bsky.social has a recipe for making lemonade.
#TeacherPD #ProfessionalDevelopment
If you’re heading into teacher training this summer, @mirplo.bsky.social has a recipe for making lemonade.
#TeacherPD #ProfessionalDevelopment
Reposted by Miriam Plotinsky
Whether you’re a novice or a veteran, interviewing for a teaching job can feel like a high-stakes test! @mirplo.bsky.social shares tips to ace it. 💯
#EduSky
#EduSky
How to Ace a Teaching Job Interview
Whether you’re a novice or a veteran, interviews can feel like high-stakes tests, so it’s important to make a plan and then stick to it.
www.edutopia.org
June 4, 2026 at 11:07 AM
Whether you’re a novice or a veteran, interviewing for a teaching job can feel like a high-stakes test! @mirplo.bsky.social shares tips to ace it. 💯
#EduSky
#EduSky
It’s hiring season! If you’re feeling stressed about an upcoming teacher interview and need a few strategies for success, give my latest article in @edutopia.org a read!
www.edutopia.org/article/how-...
www.edutopia.org/article/how-...
How to Ace a Teaching Job Interview
Whether you’re a novice or a veteran, interviews can feel like high-stakes tests, so it’s important to make a plan and then stick to it.
www.edutopia.org
June 1, 2026 at 11:24 AM
It’s hiring season! If you’re feeling stressed about an upcoming teacher interview and need a few strategies for success, give my latest article in @edutopia.org a read!
www.edutopia.org/article/how-...
www.edutopia.org/article/how-...
Reposted by Miriam Plotinsky
Are composition notebooks old-fashioned? Maybe—but they work. 📓
For @mirplo.bsky.social’s students, they “became such a staple for writing down random ideas and thoughts that students began filling several a year and sharing more thoughts with one another.”
#EduSky
For @mirplo.bsky.social’s students, they “became such a staple for writing down random ideas and thoughts that students began filling several a year and sharing more thoughts with one another.”
#EduSky
‘Is This Anything?’
These low-stakes writing activities can be used across content areas to help high school students recognize that their ideas have value.
www.edutopia.org
May 22, 2026 at 10:28 PM
Are composition notebooks old-fashioned? Maybe—but they work. 📓
For @mirplo.bsky.social’s students, they “became such a staple for writing down random ideas and thoughts that students began filling several a year and sharing more thoughts with one another.”
#EduSky
For @mirplo.bsky.social’s students, they “became such a staple for writing down random ideas and thoughts that students began filling several a year and sharing more thoughts with one another.”
#EduSky
Reposted by Miriam Plotinsky
”Students often dismiss their own thinking before sharing it with others,” writes @mirplo.bsky.social. These strategies guide students to generate a lot of ideas, and encourage them to see those ideas as worthwhile. 💡
#EduSky
#EduSky
‘Is This Anything?’
These low-stakes writing activities can be used across content areas to help high school students recognize that their ideas have value.
www.edutopia.org
May 20, 2026 at 10:56 AM
”Students often dismiss their own thinking before sharing it with others,” writes @mirplo.bsky.social. These strategies guide students to generate a lot of ideas, and encourage them to see those ideas as worthwhile. 💡
#EduSky
#EduSky
Reposted by Miriam Plotinsky
"The best antidote to hurrying is intentional pause."
@mirplo.bsky.social via @edutopia.org
www.edutopia.org/article/how-...
@mirplo.bsky.social via @edutopia.org
www.edutopia.org/article/how-...
How to Avoid Rushing—a Pitfall for Even the Most Experienced Teachers
There are always too many standards to meet and assignments to grade. These strategies can help you reject haste in favor of care and clarity.
www.edutopia.org
April 30, 2026 at 9:07 PM
"The best antidote to hurrying is intentional pause."
@mirplo.bsky.social via @edutopia.org
www.edutopia.org/article/how-...
@mirplo.bsky.social via @edutopia.org
www.edutopia.org/article/how-...
Reposted by Miriam Plotinsky
In some ways, rushing may be a bigger problem as teachers become more experienced, @mirplo.bsky.social writes—they realize how much more they could do to improve student learning. 🏃
Here are some strategies to help.
#EduSky
Here are some strategies to help.
#EduSky
How to Avoid Rushing—a Pitfall for Even the Most Experienced Teachers
There are always too many standards to meet and assignments to grade. These strategies can help you reject haste in favor of care and clarity.
www.edutopia.org
April 25, 2026 at 8:25 PM
In some ways, rushing may be a bigger problem as teachers become more experienced, @mirplo.bsky.social writes—they realize how much more they could do to improve student learning. 🏃
Here are some strategies to help.
#EduSky
Here are some strategies to help.
#EduSky
Reposted by Miriam Plotinsky
More from @mirplo.bsky.social about empowering students to develop an academic identity: https://edut.to/4teJqhb
April 20, 2026 at 9:18 AM
More from @mirplo.bsky.social about empowering students to develop an academic identity: https://edut.to/4teJqhb
Reposted by Miriam Plotinsky
It’s natural to feel frustrated when you’ve worked hard to craft an engaging lesson and a student says they’re bored. The good news is, usually they mean something else.
@mirplo.bsky.social has ideas for supporting these students! 💡
#EduSky
@mirplo.bsky.social has ideas for supporting these students! 💡
#EduSky
‘I’m Bored’: The Dreaded Student Complaint
The key to not taking it personally is investigating the cause—the student may not be challenged by the work, or may not understand the work. There are strategies for overcoming these and other…
www.edutopia.org
March 24, 2026 at 10:43 AM
It’s natural to feel frustrated when you’ve worked hard to craft an engaging lesson and a student says they’re bored. The good news is, usually they mean something else.
@mirplo.bsky.social has ideas for supporting these students! 💡
#EduSky
@mirplo.bsky.social has ideas for supporting these students! 💡
#EduSky
Big news! My next book with @solutiontree.bsky.social is available for preorder!
March 20, 2026 at 9:33 PM
Big news! My next book with @solutiontree.bsky.social is available for preorder!