Menu

Skip to primary content
  • Home
  • 1.4 Million + Visitors and Over a Million Views–Thank You!
  • Meet the Author-Dr. Denise Ball
  • Sharing the Good with Dr. Denise Ball-A Podcast
  • The Four Pillars of JOY for Catholic Educators-A Pocket Retreat [Loyola Press, December 2026]
  • Unlock the Teacher…Origin Story

Unlock the Teacher

Sharing the Good with Dr. Denise Ball

Sharing the Good, Growing the Conversation, and Celebrating JOY!

Sharing the Good with Dr. Denise Ball is now available on Amazon Audible! What a JOY it has been to watch a simple idea, rooted in a desire to recognize and share the good happening in Catholic education, grow into conversations that connect educators, school and system leaders, pastors, … Continue reading →
November 4, 2026 Leave a Reply

Building Bridges of Hope: Leadership, Accompaniment, and the Future of Catholic Education

There are some conversations that leave you thinking long after the recording ends. My recent conversation with Dr. Steve Cheeseman, President and CEO of the National Catholic Educational Association, was one of those conversations. As I listened to Steve reflect on his decades of service to … Continue reading →
October 29, 2026 Leave a Reply

Clarity Is an Act of Service: Helping Middle School Students Know What Success Looks Like

The Middle School Culture Blueprint: Reflections from the Field | Episode 8 What if one of the most meaningful things we can do for middle school students is simply remove some of the unnecessary confusion they experience throughout the school day? I have been reflecting on this question as Dr. … Continue reading →
October 16, 2026 Leave a Reply

Culture by Design, Not by Default: The Courage to Listen, Learn, and Lead With Intention

The Middle School Culture Blueprint: Reflections from the Field | Episode 7 with Dr. Anita Harkins-Mehsling Sometimes the most powerful act of leadership is not offering a solution, but it is simply being present, listening, and acknowledging. This was one of the many meaningful reminders … Continue reading →
October 14, 2026 Leave a Reply

Deconstructed Retreat: Same Roads with an Intentional Way of Seeing

The journey is the retreat, gratitude is my compass, and JOY is found in the everyday. What if a retreat was not defined by where we go, but by how we choose to see and respond to what surrounds us? As educational leaders, we often encourage others to slow down, reflect, reconnect with their … Continue reading →
October 11, 2026 Leave a Reply

Post navigation

« Older

Unlock the Teacher

Unlock the Teacher

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 105 other subscribers

Amazing Publishers

  • Loyola Press Loyola Press is a Catholic publisher offering 3-Minute Retreat, books, ministry resources, articles, and educational program support.

Awesome Vendor Partners Supporting Schools Nationwide

  • Vendor Partner Middle School Mindset Portfolio of Services The Middle School Mindset Portfolio of Services represents a unique national collaboration between: ADAC | William H. Sadlier | Friendzy | Archangel Education & Technology. An à la carte portfolio of resources.
  • ADAC, Inc. ADAC partners with PK–12 schools, systems, and networks nationwide to help educators and leaders confidently meet the needs of every student.
  • Friendzy, Co. An effective curriculum that teaches a new generation of students character development skills.
  • Curriculum Associates Together with one million educators, we’re connecting every part of learning—from assessment to instruction, data to discovery—to empower classrooms and communities to thrive.
  • Archangel Education & Technology Archangel brings a human touch to technology, blending passion, deep expertise, and a strong community focus to enrich educational experiences.
  • William H. Sadlier Core and supplemental math programs teach the essentials students will use the rest of their academic and professional lives.

Blogroll

  • Learn WordPress.com
  • WordPress.com News
  • Get Support
  • Get Inspired
  • Get Polling
  • WordPress Planet
  • International Online Science Contest Science Contest and Science Fair Project Resource
  • Education Rethink Vintage ISTE Tweets
  • Thomas Fordham Institute ~Advancing Educational Excellence Ideas that stick from Fordham‘s Education Gadfly team

Curriculum Standards and Benchmarks

  • National Institute of Standards and Technology
  • National Standards in Gifted and Talented Education Standards provide a foundation for the policies, rules, and procedures necessary to deliver high-quality, systematic programs and services for high-ability students. Guidance and framework resources.
  • Standards and Assessments Raising academic standards for all students and measuring student achievement to hold schools accountable for educational progress are central strategies for promoting educational excellence and equity in our Nation’s schools.
  • Next Generation Science Science Standards Resource
  • Math Chimps Great online math games aligned to the Common Core State Standards~for ages 4-16

Educational Online "Free" Games

  • Learn to Read with Phonics Fabulous site for beginning or emerging readers. Books read to children too…
  • Knowledge Adventure Games for students 4-10 in all disciplines
  • Math Games for Free Online Awesome games designed to enhance math skills for ages 5-14
  • Science Games Making Science FUN! Great science games covering various aspect of science…lesson plans and activities too…free
  • Social Studies Online Games Excellent resource to utilize at home for ages 4-15. Geography, History etc.
  • National Geographic Science Resource for Parents and Teachers
  • Fun Brain Great Educational Games
  • Science Bob Fun Science
  • Veggie Tale Games Great Games with a Good Moral Message
  • A+ Math Math flashcards and games for math practice.
  • Cool Math Fun math games.
  • Fun Brain All disciplines covered on this learning site. *Check out baseball game for math
  • Math Magician Games Math games for all ages.
  • Illuminations Math Factor Game
  • AAA Math Covers all fraction topics. NOTE: We think this is a fabulous site for scaffolding the learning process for all things fractions!
  • Learning Factory Fraction Frenzy
  • Visual Fractions Visual Fractions
  • Between the Lions A PBS Online Phonics and Reading Game
  • Dr. Seuss/ Seussville A wonderful world to explore, read and learn…so much fun!
  • Pinky Dinky Doo Fun and interactive. Great story podcasts!

Educational Resources for Parents and Teachers

  • Oceanhouse Media Great educational book apps and so much more. Check out often for FREE downloads to help your child learn letters, phonics & math!
  • Kidz4mation Educational Enrichment Site
  • Science Fair Projects A Complete “How To” Guide for Science Projects
  • Science Buddies Science Resource for Parents and Teachers
  • Science Bob Fun Science
  • National Zoo Great Science Resource
  • Science Club All Things Science
  • 3 Atlas Social Studies Resource
  • Teaching Kids About Money Great Resource for Parents and Teachers
  • Presidents of the United States Great Social Studies Resource
  • Veggie Tale Games Great Games with a Good Moral Message
  • Kleininspiration A great educational resource.
  • Odyssey of the Mind An international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college.
  • Math Chimps Great online math games aligned to the Common Core State Standards~for ages 4-16

IPad Learning Apps

  • Class Dojo Classroom Management App
  • ThreeRing A virtual portfolio for student work.
  • Quizlet A great vocabulary flash card tool.
  • A+Pro A flash card application.
  • Educreations An app that allows students to make presentation videos with voice over capabilities.
  • Super Flash Cards Recommended by Missa, one of our Readers

Recommend Book Apps & at the Best Value

  • Oceanhouse Media Great educational book apps and so much more. Check out often for FREE downloads to help your child learn letters, phonics & math!

Recommended YouTube Channels

  • Sharing the Good with Dr. Denise Ball-A YouTube Channel Created to Inspire This YouTube Channel has been created to share the good and remind us all that when we train our eyes to see the good, amazing things happen!

Team Building and Problem-Solving Strategies for the Classroom

  • Odyssey of the Mind An international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college.

Websites with Games and Activities Created by Authors

  • Oceanhouse Media Great educational book apps and so much more. Check out often for FREE downloads to help your child learn letters, phonics & math!
  • Christopher Paolini's "Eragon" Series Games and Activities for Tweens and Teens…Great Teacher Resource Too
  • John Flannagan's "Ranger's Apprentice" Series Games and Activities for Tweens and Teens…Great Teacher Resource Too
  • The Chronicles of Narnia Amazing graphics and wonderful interactive games and puzzles!
  • The Youngest Templar A great parent or classroom resource.
  • The 39 Clues Website A fun clue hunt!
  • The Mysterious Benedict Society Top Secret Adventures, Passwords and Amazing FUN!

Join the Conversation

Tweets by DBallWriter

Unlock the Teacher Thoughts On…

RSS=Communication in Action

  • RSS - Posts
  • RSS - Comments

Blog Search

Unlock the Teacher …Words, Words

Academic term ADAC Archdiocese of Baltimore Arts Belonging Bible Catholic Education Child Christianity Christmas classroom collaboration Common Core State Standards Initiative Curriculum Denise Ball Dr. Anita Harkins-Mehsling Dr. Christina Mendez-Hall Dr. Denise Ball Dr. LaTonya White Dr. Nicci Dowd E-book Early childhood Education educational leadership Educational Resources Educators faith family High school home schooling IPad Jesus Joy Joyful Leadership K-12 Karina Lepkowski K through 12 LAnguage Arts leadership learning Lesson Life Literature Marymount University Math Mathematics Michigan Middle school Middle School Teachers National Catholic Educational Association Parent Positive School Culture professional development Promoting the Good in Education Reading Royal Oak Michigan School Climate School Culture Servant Leadership Sharing the Good with Dr. Denise Ball Shopping social studies Student Teacher teacher recruitment teacher retention teachers Teaching Team building The Middle School Culture Blueprint The Middle School Culture Blueprint by Ball & White Twitter United States unlock the teacher Writing

Cloud of Thoughts

Best Practices from Awesome Educators Blogs that Inspire Us Common Core State Standards "Nuts & Bolts" Creating a Positive School Culture Curriculum Resources Educational Free Webinars educational leadership Educational Resources Educational Websites and Resources Educational Websites that are FREE Favorite Sites Grants and Funding Resources Hot Topics in Education Inspiration Learning is Fun Lessons/Activities Positive School Culture Principals and Administrator Tools Promoting Literacy Recommended Book from Teens for Teens Recommended Books to Read, to Learn, to Inspire Science Sharing the Good Sharing the Good in Education Sharing the Good with Dr. Denise Ball Student or Industry Summer Learning Tips teacher retention Teacher Retention and Recruitment Team Building/Positive Work Environments The Middle School Culture-Reflections from the Field Series

View Full Site

Blog at WordPress.com.

  • Subscribe Subscribed
    Unlock the Teacher
    Join 105 other subscribers

    Have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.

  • Unlock the Teacher
    View site in Reader
    Manage subscriptionsSign upLog in
    Report this content
    Collapse this bar
Loading Comments...