Laura Hanby Hudgens

Fayetteville

Mom of 4, wife, teacher, Catholic educator @boredteachers @grownandflown @huffpostparents @washingtonpost @herviewfromhome @motherwellmag @todayparents

Articles

I Left the Classroom, Here’s What I Miss About Being a Teacher

2 months ago | boredteachers.com | Laura Hanby Hudgens

I have taught high school, junior high, and middle school. I’ve also been a librarian and a religion teacher in a pre-k-8th school. In other words, I have taught every grade there is in some capacity or another, and I have found things to love (and not to love) at every level. For now, I’m taking a break from teaching and here are the things I miss the most about being a teacher.
Is ICE Raiding Our Schools? What Teachers Need to Know

2 months ago | boredteachers.com | Laura Hanby Hudgens

The United States has a long history of mass deportations. So how is this round different? There are many reasons, but perhaps the most notable is that President Trump has removed long-standing restrictions that prevented ICE agents from raiding institutions once considered sacrosanct, like churches, hospitals, and schools. It’s also why this round of deportations presents unique challenges for many teachers.
Personalized Learning is Trending - What’s it all about?

Oct 1, 2024 | boredteachers.com | Laura Hanby Hudgens

Imagine you walk into a classroom and the first thing you see is a student in the corner building something out of toothpicks and styrofoam. Is that the Taj Mahal? In another area, a group of kids is acting out a play–you hope that’s fake blood. Near the window, there’s someone reciting something in a language you don’t understand. Mandarin perhaps? All around are students engaged in various, seemingly unrelated activities.
9 Things I Regret At the End of the School Year

May 16, 2024 | boredteachers.com | Laura Hanby Hudgens

As a rule, I’m not one to dwell on regrets (professional or otherwise). I try to do my best and give myself plenty of grace. Still, at the end of the school year, it’s not uncommon for me to reflect on the year behind me. While there are always a lot of good memories and meaningful successes to be happy about, without fail there are always things I wish I had done differently. At the end of the school year, these are the things I’m most likely to regret.
Dear Students, Here’s Why You Should Go Visit Your Former Teachers

Apr 26, 2024 | boredteachers.com | Laura Hanby Hudgens

Dear grown-up students, I hope this letter finds you well, and I know that sounds like it’s just a standard, generic greeting, but I actually mean it. I mean I really, really mean it. If you were ever in my class–whether you were an academic all-star or a struggling slacker, a model of politeness and respect or a frequent flyer to the principal’s office–I hope your life is good. I hope you are successful and happy and using reflexive pronouns correctly.
Why We Still Diagram Sentences: A Teacher’s View on an “Outdated” Skill

Apr 8, 2024 | boredteachers.com | Laura Hanby Hudgens

As a language arts teacher, my primary goals for my students are that they become avid, engaged readers and thoughtful, competent writers. So why am I teaching my 6th graders to diagram sentences—a skill many educators consider archaic and pointless? Let me explain. The current trend in American education has moved away from grammar as a stand-alone subject. Teachers are encouraged to teach grammar and mechanics in the context of their students’ own writing. And for the most part, this makes sense.
Why I’m Ditching my Classroom Job Chart for STAR of the Week

Apr 4, 2024 | boredteachers.com | Laura Hanby Hudgens

I’ve always been a fan of a good classroom job chart. It makes me feel like I’m teaching my students responsibility and important life skills, and it makes it seem as if my class is working as a team–sometimes. On the other hand, maintaining a job chart can be a hassle, and sometimes it feels like it’s just one more thing for me to manage. So, this year, I’m going to try something new.
Do 6th Graders Belong in Elementary or Middle School?

Feb 6, 2024 | boredteachers.com | Laura Hanby Hudgens

When I was in graduate school, I took a class on school facilities. Our instructor told us that, for most schools, the single deciding factor in determining which grades will be elementary and which will be middle school is space. Where is there room to put the kids? That’s too bad, because all students should be educated in the facility that best serves their developmental needs. And for 6th graders, this haphazard way of determining campus placement could have particularly serious ramifications.
Despite Everything Going on, Here’s Why I Still Love Being a Teacher

Jan 19, 2024 | boredteachers.com | Laura Hanby Hudgens

Teaching is so hard. Some days I feel discouraged and overwhelmed. The days can be exhausting, and sometimes it feels like all my hard work goes unappreciated. On my worst days, I question whether or not I’m making a difference…Still, I have encouraged many of my high school students and all of my own children to consider a career in education. Because, despite everything, I still believe that teaching is a valid and valuable career choice and a deeply meaningful investment of my time and talents.
The Secret Life of Teachers: 23 Things We Do But Won’t Admit To

Jan 17, 2024 | boredteachers.com | Laura Hanby Hudgens

A teacher’s day is full of grading, answering questions, monitoring recess, attending meetings, and of course, teaching. But there are a lot of activities and habits that are a part of teacher life that are not in the job description. And we work hard to keep most of them our teacher secrets! Here’s a rare insider look at the things teachers secretly do. Maybe it’s the kid who makes things easy on us. Or the slacker with the sharp wit.