When the "Punch in the Gut" Becomes a Lifeline: My Study Skills Story
Have you ever had one of those moments where your principal walks in, and before they even speak, you just know your school year is about to change?
For me, that moment came after years of identifying as a "History Teacher". I was the teacher who "could teach rocks". But then, my administrator handed me a punch in the gut - "I need you to teach an elective this fall".
Because of a numbers game, I was being moved from my academic forte to teach an elective - with zero curriculum.
The Day the "Study Skills" Class Was Born
When asked what I was actually good at, I didn't say home economics or computers. I said, "Teaching kids to read informational texts, take notes, and be academically successful". My principal’s response? "So do that".
I spent that first year jumping into the deep end. I was scouring the internet for random activities, but nothing could sustain a full nine weeks. I realized I didn't just need "fun activities" - I needed a framework that actually helped students apply these skills in their other classes.
I spent that first year jumping into the deep end. I was scouring the internet for random activities, but nothing could sustain a full nine weeks. I realized I didn't just need "fun activities" - I needed a framework that actually helped students apply these skills in their other classes.
The "Aha!" Moment That Changed Everything
I’ll never forget a student I had - let's call him Dan. Dan was your quintessential "average" student, hovering around Cs and wondering why school felt like such a slog.
One day, as we were reviewing specific study strategies, Dan turned around with wide eyes and said, “This makes learning so much easier! Why hasn’t anyone ever told me this before?”.
That was it. That was the moment I realized that we expect kids to know how to study, but we rarely actually teach them the mechanics of it. Dan took control of his learning, his grades soared, and my "last-minute elective" became the most important class in the building.
One day, as we were reviewing specific study strategies, Dan turned around with wide eyes and said, “This makes learning so much easier! Why hasn’t anyone ever told me this before?”.
That was it. That was the moment I realized that we expect kids to know how to study, but we rarely actually teach them the mechanics of it. Dan took control of his learning, his grades soared, and my "last-minute elective" became the most important class in the building.
From My Alaska Classroom to the World
I eventually realized that I wasn't the only one standing at the door asking for help because a new grade level or curriculum felt overwhelming.
Today, that 9-week curriculum I built out of necessity is being used by over 1,000 teachers worldwide.
Whether it’s:
Today, that 9-week curriculum I built out of necessity is being used by over 1,000 teachers worldwide.
Whether it’s:
- New Teachers: Using it as a "lifesaver" to manage a busy classroom.
- International Schools: Providing a clear direction for new elective courses.
- Special Education Experts: Who call it a "MUST HAVE" year-round resource.
I’ve been in your exact shoes - excited, nervous, and maybe a little bit resentful of that "elective" label. But I promise you, once you give your students the tools to succeed, you’ll never look at "Study Skills" as just an elective again.
What's Next?
6th grade is the critical window for academic success. Learn why middle school study skills are more important than content and how to bridge the "Middle School Shock" for your students.
