If you’re a teacher who uses Facebook for social networking online, the time will inevitably come when a student sends you a Facebook friend request.

So what do you do?

Do you accept their request with the concern that you may be sharing too much information about your personal life?  Or do you ignore their request and lose the potential benefits of connecting with your students online?

Of course you should check with your school’s administrator to see if there are established social networking guidelines for teachers at your school.

In addition, we recommend reading a recent blog post by Jesse Dwyer, a former teacher who now works at Facebook. Jesse offers some excellent advice to teachers who are looking to better manage their social connections with current and/or former students on Facebook.

You can read Jesse’s blog post here:

Back to School: Tips for Teachers on Facebook

Well teachers it’s officially here. The first day of autumn (more well-known as fall) has arrived.

Have you noticed the colors changing, the fall smell in the air, the temperature slowly but surely dropping? Fall has to be one of my favorite times of the year. If you live in a place that experiences the colors of fall you know exactly why. You can see nature’s palette develop around you day by day. Taking a walk through the woods becomes a scenic tour of nature’s beauty.

Take time this fall to enjoy one of nature’s most colorful seasons. And don’t forget to take your students along for the tour!

Here are some SmileMakers supplies that may help:

Leaf Rubbing Plates

Peel N Stick Leaf Ornaments

Autumn Leaves Pencils

Only 4 days left! 4 days until what you ask? 4 days until the start of fall!

Believe it or not, fall comes the same time every year, but somehow it always manages to sneak up on us. Don’t let the official first day of autumn sneak up on you this year.

September 22nd marks the beginning of autumn, and it’s the perfect time to take your class outside to discuss photosynthesis or simply enjoy the fall colors. Start preparing now!

Here are some autumn ideas from SmileMakers:

Get creative with our Fall Animals Sticker Assortment.

Capture your students’ attention with the Everything For Fall Bulletin Board Set.

Give your students Fall Leaves Pencils, or Fall Smiles Sticker Assortment

Plan an Arts and Crafts Project using Leaf Frame Crafts

Happy Autumn!

More and more nowadays we see our world shrinking.  The walls that have historically kept us separate are falling down all around us.  We are overcoming language barriers by teaching our children foreign languages.  We are overcoming distance barriers by connecting our children to other countries via the World Wide Web.  And we can overcome cultural barriers by teaching our children the beauty of different cultures.

This month you can help your students recognize and appreciate cultures other than our own by celebrating Hispanic-Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15).

Hispanic-Heritage Month recognizes the independence of seven Latin American countries.  Use this opportunity to enhance understanding and awareness of diversity in your classroom and across the country.

Need help with some ideas? Here are a few SmileMakers products you can share with your students:

Dora World Adventure Stickers

Dora and Diego Stickers

Spanish Flip Flash Book

For more ideas visit SmileMakers for Teachers.

As children across the nation head back to school, it’s hard not to reflect back to your own school days. Playing tag during recess, field trips with your class, chatting with your friends between classes at your locker; the memories begin to flood your mind with the happy and the always embarrassing events during that time.

Then there were your old teachers. Some teachers you despised, some were so-so, while others you loved! You could very well dislike the subject they taught, but loved the teacher anyway and, over time, you found a new appreciation for an area of education you never thought you’d enjoy.

Today we would like to ask you: Who was your favorite teacher and why?

Whew! That first week of school is over and the dust is beginning to settle…well maybe just a little. Now that you’re beginning to get back into the groove of the school year, here at SmileMakers, we wanted to remind you that we’re here for you every step of the way.

SmileMakers is dedicated to providing a place where educators like you can find quality solutions for your classroom for grade levels preschool through 6th grade. Plus, we have everything you need to educate and motivate your students as well as organize, supply and decorate your classroom year round.

SmileMakers understands that time and budgets are limited, so we make ordering quick, easy and affordable.

Bookmark this blog as a reference for news and information regarding our Teachers department, as well as a community for teachers to relate and engage. as a reference for news and information regarding our Teachers department, as well as a community for teachers to relate and engage.

Even before school started you were busy getting your classroom ready for a new group of star students. And while you undoubtedly went to great lengths to have the room prepped and looking great for your kids this year, there is almost always that one item you wish you had added to brighten up your classroom.

In hopes of fulfilling that wish, we’re offering a free Star Student Trimmer for your bulletin board with your next order from SmileMakers.

All you have to do is visit SmileMakers on Facebook and look for the promo code posted to our Wall and Promotions tabs.

And while you’re there, don’t forget to become our fan on Facebook. That way you’ll easily receive new promos and information from SmileMakers on Facebook.