Mrs. Hamilton's Room - Tips for thriving in high school, for students and parents

In Episode 18 of Mrs. Hamilton's Room, I talk about something that is not easy to talk about in any situation...the Plan B if what you hoped for does not work out the way previously planned. More specifically, what is discussed is...if, "What to do when the college rejection or waitlist letter appeared in your inbox?"In this episode, suggestions are offered that might still place one on that college track, but other avenues are presented if college is not something that you are not quite sure about yet, too.  Join me as this challenge is addressed and positive options are presented to, just maybe, help you in beginning to navigate a new path.Check out these FREEBIES... College Essay Final Review Checklist HERE College Essay Thought List HERE Balance Reflection Worksheet HERE

This episode finishes a 3 segment series that discusses ways to be "Digitally Street Smart". The first episode discussed how to handle the difference between the real world and the online space. The second episode addressed bullying online and included the classroom space, as well. This last one discusses how to balance the digital world for life! Technology is going to be a part of all of our futures so knowing how to control it, rather than it controlling you, is a skill that we all must learn. Some user-friendly strategies are provided in the latest episode of Mrs. Hamilton's Room that will help you to be in charge of your own digital world. Join me in this most recent episode!Check out these FREEBIES... College Essay Final Review Checklist HERE College Essay Thought List HERE Balance Reflection Worksheet HERE

In this episode, I continue my series on "Digital Street Smarts" and discuss the difference between conflict and bullying. If you have ever felt like you have stuggled with this, this episode provides a few scenarios to help in figuring out the difference. Finally, strategies are provided to help handle those times in which you might be being bullied yourself, online or in the classroom. Join me as we discuss how to best navigate conflict and the people that may attempt to bully their way into your space.Check out these FREEBIES... College Essay Final Review Checklist HERE College Essay Thought List HERE Balance Reflection Worksheet HERE

In the episode, I begin a series discussing "Digital Street Smarts" and how realizing before something crushing happens that everything you put out there is truly real. Making sure you understand what that really means and how the trail you leave along the way becomes your digital footprint.I discuss real life scenarios and what consequences they might bring. However,  strategies are also shared to help with keeping your accounts more private while also becoming more savvy in the day-to-day use of the digital world. Join me in Episode 15 of Mrs. Hamilton's Room as we become more digitally street smart together!Check out these FREEBIES... College Essay Final Review Checklist HERE College Essay Thought List HERE Balance Reflection Worksheet HERE

In this episode, a story is shared that explains how showing thanks in a bigger way is something we all might want to strive for.  Reflecting on the importance of that, but also knowing when to add the handwritten thank you note is a skill to be learned as well.  There are many times when it does become important, even as early as pre-school.  However, revealing what it does for both the sender and receiver is most powerful.  Join me in Episode 14 of Mrs. Hamilton's Room as we learn to not only be thankful, but extravagantly thankful.Check out these FREEBIES... College Essay Final Review Checklist HERE College Essay Thought List HERE Balance Reflection Worksheet HERE

In Episode #13 of Mrs. Hamilton's Room, the benefits of doing research are explained, but not the research one might be used to in high school. This "research" discusses digging deeper into something you truly want to find more information on. If there is a topic that you are extremely passionate about and you are willing to invest time in it, this additional step will not only help you stand out once you graduate, but it will also elevate your knowledge in that area while helping you hone those soft skills every employer is looking for.If you're serious about taking your research to the next level and are not sure where to look, here are two programs that might be of interest.horizoninspires.com - This link also provides the student reviews spoken of in this podcast.https://www.pltw.org/There are many more out there; however, Horizon Academics, Inc. and Project Lead the Way are both credible programs that have alumni speaking to many positive experiences. In addition to that, you might be interested in summer programs, internships or scholarships that fit the need of "testing" where your interests might truly lie prior to applying to college. College Vine provides that here:https://blog.collegevine.com/research-opportunities-high-school/Whether applying today is where you are, finding the right mentor or deciding if research is something that might fit in your journey, this episode is for you!Check out these FREEBIES... College Essay Final Review Checklist HERE College Essay Thought List HERE Balance Reflection Worksheet HERE

For those of you applying to college, this month has been extra busy and this week, submitting those personal statements and supplemental essays is on everyone's mind that is a part of it. This episode provides some tips on ensuring that simple mistakes are avoided and uncertainties are exhausted prior to hitting that submit button. Join me in Mrs. Hamilton's Room this week so your final "send" is done with confidence and peace of mind when forwarding those Common App college applications. Check out these FREEBIES... College Essay Final Review Checklist HERE College Essay Thought List HERE Balance Reflection Worksheet HERE

Any one of us would agree that getting more time back in our days would be amazing...teens and adults both! Some people suggest that technology does that for us, which is true. In my time since high school, the internet has replaced the heavy encyclopedia and the cell phone provides a way for people to locate us, no matter where we are. And now, enter AI. Whether or not it scares you or brings delight, it is advancing quickly and definitely, here to say. For the people that have been using AI for a while now know that this invention has helped to accelerate production time, in many facets of life. So, this has to hold true for those still in school, too. However, using it as a tool to help, rather than do a job completely is where the line is drawn with possibly getting into trouble in school. Learning some strategies on how to best use it for classroom help might help gain some of that time back, but using it with integrity while still being a valuable resource is what is needed to understand. In this episode, I talk about how using AI effectively is not going to prevent learning if you are the one doing the thinking. There are many good things it is able to help with in school, so if you are ready to learn a few quick tips on how it might help, this is the episode for you!Check out these FREEBIES... College Essay Final Review Checklist HERE College Essay Thought List HERE Balance Reflection Worksheet HERE

The phrase "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" is one many of us may have chanted during play as a child. However, if you're like me, you realized, as you grew older, this wasn't the case. Words do matter and when in the company of others, we must all watch what we say. On top of that, how those words come out and are interpreted is just as important! In this episode, I talk about the power that words wield and provide strategies to smooth relationships if those words did not leave the mouth quite the way imagined. Check out these FREEBIES... College Essay Final Review Checklist HERE College Essay Thought List HERE Balance Reflection Worksheet HERE

Have you ever been afraid to try something because it seems to be so daunting? Or, did you tell yourself you are not going to try because you know you will fail? In this episode, I talk about some of the beliefs held that keep people from attempting something new. This might even be you! It is my hope that it isn't, but if it is, you won't want to miss this episode as I provide some strategies to break free of the belief that even if you try, you are just going to fail. Leave this episode with some tips on how to find the courage needed, in anything you do. And once these tips are put into practice, you might even find that conquering that fear, will be an opportunity for growth in you, too.Check out these FREEBIES... College Essay Final Review Checklist HERE College Essay Thought List HERE Balance Reflection Worksheet HERE

Have you ever been somewhere where you wanted to ask, but you just couldn't work up the courage to do it? If you're like me, you have and learning how to advocate for yourself a little earlier is a game changer. This episode provides strategies on how and when; it even provides the why in some instances! Join me as we learn how to ask and why it could possibly become your SuperPower:)Check out these FREEBIES... College Essay Final Review Checklist HERE College Essay Thought List HERE Balance Reflection Worksheet HERE

I am so excited about this episode! For episode 7, I had the privilege to interview a former colleague and friend who is inspiring audiences all over with his encouraging words. Dr. Pascal Losambe has founded the Synergy Consulting Company with his wife, Crystal, while also partnering with her on their book, Breaking the Barriers to Belonging. Join us as he talks about his challenges moving from South Africa to America as a teen and how he worked through those. He will discuss how building respect and connection is present even if cultures and faith are different. With the correct mindset and knowing your own identity the strategies provided on this episode will help you navigate school, and life, when conflict or differences arise. Join me in listening to an important episode as we begin this new school year!________________________________________________________________________________RESOURCES mentioned:Fisher, Jefferson. The Next Conversation: Argue Less, Talk More. Tarcher Publishers, NY, 2025.Fredrickson, Barbara. Positivity: Top-Notch Research Reveals the 3-1 Ratio that Will Change Your Life. Three Rivers Press. CA, 2009.Losambe, Dr. Pascal and Crystal. Breaking the Barriers to Belonging. Kharis Publishing. IL, 2023.McAdams, Dan is a professor at Northwestern University. He is an author and speaker; you may also find him on YouTube speaking about "human personality" and different levels of connection.Check out these FREEBIES... College Essay Final Review Checklist HERE College Essay Thought List HERE Balance Reflection Worksheet HERE

With summer waning and the lazy days of summer coming to an end, are you beginning to feel anxious about the, soon-to-be, packed schedule? In this episode, I talk about strategies that might help to balance that angst. In addition, some tools are offered that will help to think about how your own time is spent and how you might manage those hours. We all have the same amount of hours in our day, but reflecting about how they are used and working to make some changes might just be the difference maker in your school year.Check out these FREEBIES... College Essay Final Review Checklist HERE College Essay Thought List HERE Balance Reflection Worksheet HERE

If you are a sibling (or a parent) of a teen leaving for college this fall, you might be feeling many mixed emotions. Know this is normal...for good reason, life is changing for the entire family! You might be wondering, "What happens to us now?"In this episode, I break down a few of the common emotions, provide some coping strategies and finally, list a few resources that may wish to seek out beyond this episode.______________________________________________________________________________________________Episode Resources:Books- My Sibling is Moving to College: A Social Story by TPT- Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell- Your Big Sister's Guide to Surviving College by Christie Glascoe CrowderOnlineteenlife.ngo/supportgroupsMindfulness Apps - Headspace or CalmFamily Apps - Cozi or Google CalendarCheck out these FREEBIES... College Essay Final Review Checklist HERE College Essay Thought List HERE Balance Reflection Worksheet HERE

The freedom that summer provides and the chance to do things differently than during the school year is one of the many blessings this time of year brings .  With this freedom, opportunities to explore new places and new people are also presented and a few options are suggested.  One of the freedoms that many people have comes with bike ownership.  If you own a bike and do not have your driver's license yet, you know what I am talking about.  This podcast's chosen narrative all begins with his choice to go exploring on his bike.  With this decision, he finds more than just new paths, but a renewed mindset about nature and his previous definition of friendship.  Check out this latest episode!Check out these FREEBIES... College Essay Final Review Checklist HERE College Essay Thought List HERE Balance Reflection Worksheet HERE

Summer is here and if you're a student or a parent, there is freedom to enjoy things you may not always have had the opportunity to during the school year.  One of the most obvious, but sometimes overlooked, is enjoying the great outdoors!  In this episode, I talk about how I felt the classroom shift move after spring break and the importance of changing the scenery in my own classroom.  When pivoting with this change in season, a renewed creativity came alive in the classroom, especially with my students' writing.  In that, lessons were learned from students as they opened my eyes to new perspectives on how they viewed the same topic I had seen so many seasons prior.  This exercise also shed light on how I viewed each student's writing ability and how changing the environment while allowing more freedom, without specific parameters, gave each student a more confident and coherent voice.  I share some of the students' work and discuss how each one help me to see something in either them or me that I would not have before.  Finally, after revealing how beneficial it was for taking my own classroom outdoors, I explain a few benefits that "getting out there" into the outdoors does for you and your family, too!Check out these FREEBIES... College Essay Final Review Checklist HERE College Essay Thought List HERE Balance Reflection Worksheet HERE

You've heard it before: "Be unique," "Tell your story," "Stand out."  But how do you actually find a topic that does all that?  In this episode, I will talk about how important reflection is in revealing that most important piece of writing the college essay...the college essay topic!  Move from meh to memorable as I help break down your WHY, your HOW and your VOICE which, in turn, identifies some key components for the content of that essay.  Sharing an example, analyzing that choice and providing guidance on how you might start your own college essay is all revealed today.  Finding out that your story is truly your edge in the college admittance game and the power of your perspective is the secret to crushing the college essay!  Check out these FREEBIES... College Essay Final Review Checklist HERE College Essay Thought List HERE Balance Reflection Worksheet HERE

Have you ever felt as though nothing goes right?  Do you think other people have it better than you?  In this episode, we will hear from a young lady who thought she did have "The Worst Life" until an interaction changed her perspective.  If you have felt the same way, this episode will answer some reasons why you might be feeling this way and then, offer some strategies helping you to move forward...hopefully, in a more positive direction.https://mrshamiltonsroom.comCheck out these FREEBIES... College Essay Final Review Checklist HERE College Essay Thought List HERE Balance Reflection Worksheet HERE

Are you a teenager or parent who has ever felt frustrated or confused with everything that comes your way in high school?  As a teacher and mom of 3, I have lived it from both sides.  So, I created this podcast to be a safe place where real stories are shared and real solutions are offered.  Every other week, another episode will reveal topics that are current and relevant for teens or parents today.  This is just the beginning for what is to come in the Mrs. Hamilton's Room podcast.Check out these FREEBIES... College Essay Final Review Checklist HERE College Essay Thought List HERE Balance Reflection Worksheet HERE