Latest Tip of the Week

The Hype, the Cart, and the Classroom

Last month, Amazon Prime Day (which was actually four days this year) rolled in like a tidal wave of deals—and brought with it backup from Target, Walmart, and just about every other retailer with Wi-Fi. Suddenly, my phone was buzzing with texts from friends sharing links, screenshots of their hauls, and “You have to get this!” messages. Before I knew it, my digital cart was full (did you know that’s a thing?) and my wallet... wasn’t.

I sat there staring at my purchases: cute tops I didn’t need, a Ring doorbell, classroom supplies I might use someday (but hey, they were a steal!), new lip gloss, a notebook, a charger, and of course—my old friend, buyer’s remorse.

Why did I jump so quickly? Simple: The hype. The urgency. The feeling that if everyone else is doing it, I should too. That if I don’t act now, I’ll miss out.

And that got me thinking—this happens in education too.

We see shiny new resources, viral teaching hacks, themed slideshows, podcasts that promise to reignite our spark, books that “change everything,” reels of beautifully decorated classrooms, and programs that swear they’ll take our students from zero to genius in six weeks. Some of it is incredible. But all of it? Not always.

Just like with Prime Day, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of something new—especially when you’re tired, overwhelmed, or just looking for a little something to make the day feel lighter.

But here’s what I’ve learned: The best filter isn’t what’s trending. It’s authenticity.

Before I jump in, I ask, Does this align with what I know works? Is it evidence-based? Is it rooted in purpose? Will it help my students grow? If the answer is yes—great! I give it a try. If not, I thank the algorithm for its suggestion and keep scrolling.

Because just like I don’t need another notebook (probably), I don’t need every classroom trend either. What I do need, and what my students need, is clarity, consistency, and practices that are rooted in what truly works.

So as the school year ramps up and the latest trends come rolling in, pause for a second. Breathe. Ask yourself what’s worth it—and what’s just hype. Your time, energy, and students are worth that kind of care.

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