Sara Tenan Brandow

Real Talk For Educators | IDOE Learning Lab Presenter | GT & High Ability EDU | Book Hoarder | Bigger Questions. Better Teaching | Recovering Perfectionist

[Sara Tenan Brandow @SaraTenan]

📚 I like literature for the stories it brings to life. But I love it for all it allows us to connect with in our own lives. I saw this quote while reading a blog about the top 25 lines Steinbeck ever wrote. It stopped me in my tracks.

If I'm honest, this is one I need to hear as much as anyone.

I've spent more time than I'd like to admit polishing presentations, rewriting paragraphs, second-guessing ideas, and convincing myself that something wasn't ready because it wasn't perfect. The strange thing about perfectionism is that it promises excellence while quietly stealing progress. It tells us that unless something is flawless, it isn't enough.

I've watched that same struggle play out in gifted students for years. Bright, capable learners who freeze because they fear getting something wrong. They avoid challenges, not because they can't do them, but because they aren't certain they'll do them perfectly.

✨ I think educators know that feeling, too. ✨

As another school year begins, maybe the goal isn't to have the perfect classroom, the perfect lesson, or the perfect answer. Maybe it's to create a place where curiosity is valued more than certainty, where mistakes are treated as information instead of failure, and where growth matters more than performance.

What if we gave that gift to our students?
Better yet, what if we gave it to ourselves?

As we are heading back for another school year, I'm wishing you each a good year. But not a perfect one. ❤

#growthmindset #teacherlife #giftedandtalented #recoveringperfectionist #perfectionism

[Sara Tenan Brandow @SaraTenan]

Wow! More than 200 Indiana educators have already registered for next week's @EducateIN Learning Lab, and I couldn't be more excited.

⏰ If you've been thinking about joining us, there's still time.

We'll spend an hour busting some of education's most persistent myths about high-ability learners. This isn't another session about giving students more work. It's about recognizing hidden needs, understanding why bright students still struggle, and exploring differentiation that is realistic, sustainable, and impactful.

We'll discuss:
✨ Hidden needs that often go unnoticed
✨ Meaningful differentiation that doesn't overwhelm teachers
✨ Why advanced learners still have learning gaps
✨ Practical strategies you can use right away

📅 Tuesday, July 28
🕐 1:00–2:00 p.m. ET

#giftededucation #idoe #differentiation #educateindana #edchat

[Philip Rivers @Rivers_17_HOF]

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
-Deuteronomy 31:6

[Jonathan Alsheimer @mr_Alsheimer]

To my fellow educators ❤️

[Sara Tenan Brandow @SaraTenan]

@Indy_reporter_ I grew up at 25th and Post. Graduated from Warren Central. I just moved back after 35 years. I drove past my old home to take a pic of a tree I planted with my grandpa. I cried seeing my neighborhood. So so sad.

[Sara Tenan Brandow @SaraTenan]

@TheRich_Gospel Anen 🙏🏼

[Sara Tenan Brandow @SaraTenan]

@BestinDogs Sugar Crisp 💕

[Sara Tenan Brandow @SaraTenan]

@that_1 So what she's saying is that jam is actually NOT her jam!? 😂🫠

[Indianapolis Motor Speedway @IMS]

THIS. IS. MAY. #Indy500

[Dr. RACHELLE DENÉ POTH |ThriveinEDU #AI #AIinEDU @Rdene915]

It's time for some great chats to start! Don't miss #rethink_learning at 7pm every 2 weeks and then #formativechat at 730 #learnlap and #edtechchat at 8pm ET and #resiliencechat at 10 pm ET

[Andrea Coachman @AndreaCoachman]

Spending the day (virtually) with @JSerravallo . Twenty minutes in and she's dropping knowledge already. Are we ever finished learning to read?!

[Tracy Beanz @tracybeanz]

Sometimes in the absolute worst of tragedy we see the best of humanity. https://t.co/8UmEKR819s

[Sara Tenan Brandow @SaraTenan]

@80s_channel Slept in my Corey Hart t-shirt and woke up in the middle of the night with my sunglasses on. @HartCorey

[Paul Solarz @PaulSolarz]

Please join us TONIGHT at 7pm Central for #LearnLAP!

#CelebrateMonday #Mondaymorning #Mondaymood #Mondayvibes #edtech #k12 #education #edchat #tlap #asechat #BadgeChatK12 #Thetitleonechat #engsschat #formativechat #kyadmin #sschat #DubChat #4thchat #Admin2B #SocEdChat #teachers

[Sara Tenan Brandow @SaraTenan]

@burgessdave @dbc_inc Cake cone. Chocolate Chip. Strawberry. 🍦

[Paul Solarz @PaulSolarz]

Please join @the_gifted_guy MONDAY at 7pm Central for #LearnLAP!

#blogchat #ccsschat #hsgovchat #iaedchat #mnmasa #oklaed #probchat #txeduchat #CVESDChat #EDthink #WATeachLead #bcedchat #wyoedchat #caedchat #edtech #k12 #education #edchat #tlap #teachertwitter #teachers #ntchat

[Paul Solarz @PaulSolarz]

Please join @the_gifted_guy MONDAY at 7pm Central for #LearnLAP!

#asiaEd #sunchat #nctlchat #1stchat #21stedchat #apchat #ecet2 #edchatri #gclchat #isnchat #mnlead #nbtchat #titletalk #wischat #urbnedchat #aussieed #edumatch #nhed #TOKchat #Read4Fun #nctlchat #podcastPD #edchat

[Sara Tenan Brandow @SaraTenan]

@TheThinkingProj Absolutely! Let’s connect and collaborate. 😊

[Paul Solarz @PaulSolarz]

Please join @MarkUreel MONDAY at 7pm Central for #LearnLAP!

#asiaEd #sunchat #nctlchat #1stchat #21stedchat #apchat #ecet2 #edchatri #gclchat #isnchat #mnlead #nbtchat #titletalk #wischat #urbnedchat #aussieed #edumatch #nhed #TOKchat #Read4Fun #nctlchat #podcastPD #aplitchat

[Ben Meer @SystemSunday]

20 sentences that will maximize your social intelligence: