It's hard to believe that it is almost time for back to school here in New York City.  Not only will I be embarking on a new teaching journey as a high school reading teacher, but my boys will be starting fifth and eighth grade.  There are lots of exciting things coming up this year including my son's graduation, searching for the right high school that he will attend, and our younger son's transition into middle school.     As an educator, I cannot stress enough the importance of positive reinforcement when it comes to motivating kids to do their best academically and praising them for a job well done.  Both of our boys are required to complete book reports over the vacation to support their summer reading.  I knew that I would need to make this an enjoyable experience since getting kids to do schoolwork when they are off is like pulling teeth.  That is exactly why I love the Teacher Rewards Kit.  It is full of everything that I … [Read more...]