Teaching requires bravery. From the public speaking aspect of it (you try leading a class while your principal takes notes) to the fact that you're in charge when a child has a seizure (true story from one of our Teach100 Mentors below), being a good teacher means being a tough cookie. But that's not to say some experiences don't leave even the veterans shaken. We asked our Teach100 Mentors--just in time for halloween!--to share their teaching horror stories. Gather around the campfire, here they are!

What's the scariest thing that's ever happened to you at school or in the classroom?

"I had a student with low blood sugar. One day she passed out in class, but she didn't fall down and her head didn't droop. She just sat in her seat very still with her eyes open. We did an a…

Any student that’s taken classes during the Internet era has both been told to never use Wikipedia for research papers and used it anyway. With a treasure trove of information available on virtually any topic, person or event one could think of, Wikipedia can be used as a valuable tool when used properly. Legal Morning came up with a great infographic about proper academic use of the every growing, ever changing online encyclopedia to help sort out when it's appropriate to use--and when you're better off citing a more permanent source. Here are some of the highlights from the infographic and scroll down to see it in full. Feel free to share with students!

• Wikipedia has more than 30 million articles and is available in more than 285 languages
• Read the outside sources referenced in the body of the Wikipedia article and use those as citations and for information about the topic
• Wikipedia Projects can be a great way of finding authoritative sources…

8 QUESTIONS is a series of interviews with teachers who have effectively transitioned their classroom skills into new and exciting careers in the field of education. We at Teach.com believe that teaching is a rigorous and diverse classroom in and of itself; the skills learned “in the trenches” can translate into an exciting portfolio of professional options. From education tech to consulting, the only “X factor” is where you want to go — our interviews hope to shine a light on the steps it takes to get there.

1. What’s your name, location, current profession?

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You were a student once, so you understand how overwhelming an essay assignment can be. If you’re like most teachers, you’ve forgotten all about the moments of frustration and anticipation related to a writing assignment. You think it’s easier for today’s students because they have access to online materials. However, you should keep in mind that all other teachers ask students to complete papers for their courses as well. You may want to find a way to make these projects less of a burden for students.

There are many online tools that can help your students improve their essay writing skills. You’ll notice the difference as soon as they start relying on technology. Check out the following 10 tools!

1. Read-Able

Although the quality and effectiveness of the essay’s argument are somewhat subjective, you still need specific grading standards that enable you to grade it as objectively as pos…

We could describe the seating formations that are best for group discussions vs. test-taking, but it's a lot easier to show you. This infographic takes a look at the way your classroom's look and feel could be affecting your students' learning. Did you know more exposure to daylight can lead to 26% higher test scores? We didn't either. (We'll wait while you take an axe to your walls).

Scroll on to learn about light, color, and even wall decor choices that can create the best possible environment for learning in your classroom.

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Though most teachers experience some back-to-school jitters in September, first year teachers undoubtedly have the most anxiety to cope with. From navigating paperwork and logistics to managing classrooms full of students, the learning curve can be steep.

That's why so many schools have adopted first-year teaching mentoring programs--including 60% of our surveyed Teach100 Mentors, who also report having mostly been mentored during their own first year (67%).

So how important is this practice, and how much does it actually help with retention (undoubtedly the desired result)?

We asked our Teach100Mentors and here's what they had to say:

Have you mentored other teachers? What did you learn from the experience? What did you need to provide assistance or guid…