Have you ever looked around your classroom, taken one deep breath, and started a lesson with… “Today we’re going to learn about infection control…” Â …only to be greeted by a room full of blank stares? Â Yep. I’ve been there. Â After more than 27 years teaching Nurse Aide, PCT, and Health Science students, […]
If you’ve ever looked around your classroom and thought…  “They’re quiet… but are they actually understanding this?”  You’re not alone.  That’s exactly where formative assessment comes in—and honestly, it’s one of the most powerful (and underused) tools in a CNA or Health Science classroom. Formative vs. Summative (The Simple Version) Let’s keep
If you’ve ever looked around your classroom and seen students slumped in their chairs, staring at a worksheet… you’re not alone.  And it’s not because they don’t care.  It’s because our students were never designed to sit still for long periods of time—especially when they’re trying to learn something new.  The good
Why Movement Activities Work in Your CNA & PCT Classroom (and Simple Ways to Use them) Read More »
If you’ve ever tried to teach communication skills for difficult patient care situations, you already know…  A lecture isn’t enough. Textbooks aren’t enough. Even a perfect skills check-off isn’t enough.  Because when students are standing in front of a real person—a frustrated resident, a grieving family member, or an uncomfortable situation—  they
How to Teach CNA & PCT Students to Handle Difficult Situations with Confidence Read More »
If you’ve ever watched your CNA or Health Science student perfectly perform a skill in practice… and then completely fall apart during testing or clinicals…  You’ve seen the gap.  It’s not always a knowledge problem. It’s a thinking problem.  That’s where something called metacognition comes in—and why it works so well in
Skills Check-Offs Aren’t Enough: Teaching CNA & Health Science Students How to Think Read More »
Teaching facility diets in CNA, PCT, and Health Science programs can sometimes turn into a memorization lesson. Â Students try to remember the differences between a regular diet, diabetic diet, mechanical soft diet, or pureed diet, but without context, the information can blur together. Â In the real world, though, diet knowledge is critical. Â
6 Active Learning Strategies for Teaching Facility Diets in CNA & PCT Training Read More »
If you’ve ever looked out at your CNA students while teaching body systems and thought,  “Wow… this is a LOT of information,”  You’re not alone.  Body systems can feel long and overwhelming — for them and for us.  Between structures, functions, normal aging, acute conditions, chronic diseases, and state exam prep,
Teaching body system abnormalities is essential in CNA, PCT, and health science programs.  But let’s be honest — reviewing abnormalities from a worksheet in March or April?  That can feel like a long stretch.  Students are restless. The theory can be long. Energy is… different.  That’s exactly why this Body System
Free Body System Abnormalities Spring Egg Hunt for CNA PCT Classes Read More »
Oral care is one of those skills that can feel simple on the surface — but when you really break it down, there’s a lot your students need to understand. It’s not just one page in a text book. It’s not just brushing teeth. It’s infection prevention. It’s observation. It’s dignity. It’s communication. And in
Teaching Oral Care to CNAs and PCTs the Easy Way (Without Reinventing the Wheel!) Read More »
End-of-life care is one of those topics that matters deeply—but can feel intimidating to teach.  It’s emotional, personal, and very real for our students who will soon be caring for residents/patients and supporting families during some of the hardest moments of their lives.  Over the years, I’ve learned that this topic deserves time,
A Meaningful 3-Hour Training on End-of-Life Care for CNAs & PCTs Read More »
Let’s be honest: teaching pressure sore prevention can feel a little dry at first. It’s an incredibly important topic — every nurse aide and patient care tech needs to understand it — but without interactive tools, it can sometimes feel like a lot of bullet points (and maybe some gruesome pics) thrown at students. Â
Pressure Sore Prevention for CNAs and PCTs Made Simple & Meaningful Read More »
If you’ve ever tried to teach meal intake percentages for the first time at the clinical site, you already know the struggle.  You explain it to one student. Then another. Then another. Then you’re repeating the same explanation at every meal tray… while trying to supervise all the other tasks your students are responsible
Teaching Meal Intake Percentages Made Easy for CNA & PCT Students Read More »
Winter in the classroom can be… tricky.  Students are in hibernation mode, energy levels can dip, and attention spans sometimes go right out the window with the cold air.  The good news?  Winter is actually the perfect excuse to lean into fun, seasonal review activities that still keep learning front and center.
Winter Wins: 3 Cozy, Creative Review Games for CNA, PCT & Health Science Classes Read More »
If you’re looking for a simple, engaging, no-prep game that gets every CNA, PCT and Health Science student involved, look no further than I Have, Who Has?  This classic whole-class card game is one of my go-to activities because it’s fun, fast-moving, and packed with learning benefits.  Today, I’m spotlighting two versions that
Why “I Have, Who Has?” is a MUST-PLAY in Your CNA & PCT Classroom Read More »
Teaching the Chain of Infection in December can feel like an uphill battle. Students are tired, distracted, and already halfway into winter break mode.  That’s why I created a FREE holiday-themed “Stuff the Stocking” activity—a simple, hands-on way to reinforce infection control concepts while keeping engagement high during the most distracted month of the
If you’ve ever wished your students were more engaged, more motivated, and actually excited about reviewing course material—this one’s for you!  And be honest… have you ever felt intimidated to make your own escape room, or even to run one that someone else created because it looked way too complicated?  You’re not alone!
Whenever I’m about to start a new unit — whether it’s infection control, ethics, or death and dying — I love to begin a certain way:  I look at the class, smile, and say, “Let me tell you a story…”  Instantly, the energy in the room shifts.  Conversations fade.  Pens stop
Looking for a fun, no-prep way to review the body systems with a Halloween twist? You’re going to LOVE this one — it’s my “Build Your Skeleton: Body Systems Game,” and it’s totally FREE when you join my weekly teacher newsletter! This isn’t your average paper-and-pencil review. Students aren’t just memorizing — they’re building, labeling,
If you’ve ever watched your CNA or PCT students’ eyes glaze over while learning terms, you know the struggle is real.   They need repetition.   They need practice.  And they need to see the terms in multiple contexts before the knowledge really sinks in.  That’s where Tarsia puzzles come in.
Tarsia Puzzles: A Secret to CNA & PCT Terms Mastery Read More »
For years, I had my students drill with flashcards, take 2-column notes, and even play online review games.  Those methods worked to a point, but I noticed something: my students weren’t retaining the information long-term.  They could cram for a quiz, but when it came to applying those concepts weeks later—like fluid intake
Why Matching Games Stick: Boosting Long-Term Memory in CNA & PCT Training Read More »
Have you ever walked into class ready to teach—only to be met with chatter, backpacks, and students still getting settled?  I know I have.  I’ve even yelled so much that I literally lost my voice one day (not my proudest moment).  As my class size has grown, I realized that the first
CNA & PCT Teachers: Struggling to Gain Attention? Try These 8 Tricks That Actually Work Read More »
If you’ve ever had students wander into class chatting, dragging their feet, or staring at their phones, you know the first five minutes of class can make or break the period.  That’s where bell ringers come in.  In Health Science classrooms—and especially CNA and PCT training—those first few minutes are precious. You’ve got
One of the very first units I teach in CNA, PCT, and Health Science programs is “Qualities of a Health Care Worker.”  It’s the perfect foundation for professional growth, and right at the heart of those qualities lies a skill that can make or break a workplace: Conflict Management.  Conflict happens—whether it’s between
3 Easy Ways to Teach Conflict Management in CNA & PCT Training Read More »
One of the trickiest challenges we face in the classroom is keeping our CNA, PCT, and Health Science students engaged while also reinforcing essential concepts.  You know how it goes… one minute you’re reviewing infection control, the next minute, someone’s zoning out and doodling on their hand. That’s why I created the “Fill the
Fill the Wash Basin with Learning: 5 Interactive Games CNA & PCT Students Will Love Read More »
If your students perk up the moment you mention games, you’re not alone.  As Health Science, CNA, and PCT instructors, we’re constantly walking the tightrope between engagement and content mastery.  And let’s face it—some days feel like we’re one PowerPoint away from losing the whole class to daydreams.   That’s exactly why
Spin Into Learning: How to Create Game Spinner Activities for CNA & PCT Training Read More »
