It starts innocently enough. You open your email and see announcements for summer workshops, webinars, certification opportunities, book studies, leadership programs, and curriculum revamps. The links are shiny. The ideas are inspiring. The possibilities are… endless....
the ampersand learning blog
tiny disruptions
Welcome to tiny disruptions, the Ampersand Learning blog where we explore how small, intentional acts—when repeated across the education system—can create powerful ripples of change. By focusing on tiny disruptions in teaching practices, classroom environments, and school culture, we believe these seemingly small shifts can ignite transformative waves that lead to lasting, systemic impact. Join us as we uncover the subtle yet powerful ways small changes can disrupt the status quo and reshape the future of education, one ripple at a time.
Gratitude as a Disruption: Building an Ethic of Citizenship
The word gratitude often conjures up something soft. Sweet. Maybe even a little fluffy.A thank-you note. A classroom activity before break. A feel-good moment that takes a backseat to “real” learning. But what if gratitude isn’t just a warm fuzzy?What if it’s actually...
Finishing with Joy: The Emotional Intelligence of Letting Go
The countdown is real.Not just the one on the whiteboard—“11 more days!”—but the invisible one ticking inside you. You’ve almost made it through another year of laughter, growth, sticky notes, hard conversations, and more emotional labor than anyone outside of...
10-Minute Reflection Rituals to Build Purpose and Communication Skills
The bell had already rung.The students were halfway out the door, backpacks slung, chatter rising. But one student—Sofia—lingered behind. “I just wanted to say… I didn’t think I could do that presentation,” she said, her eyes still wide with adrenaline. “But now I...
Decluttering the Mental Load: Prioritizing What Really Matters
It’s the last day of school.The whiteboard still has the end-of-year countdown scrawled across it. Your floor is a confetti of crayons, scrap paper, and forgotten lunch notes. You glance around your room—half packed, half not—and feel that strange mix of relief,...
Celebrating Students Beyond Awards: Building Identity and Character
The end of the school year often comes with its own highlight reel—assemblies, certificates, trophies, and recognition ceremonies. And while these moments can be meaningful, they also tend to celebrate a narrow slice of success: high grades, perfect attendance, good...