Beyond Burnout: Social and Emotional Learning for Teachers
When I see the growing body of research and the increased awareness around social and emotional learning (SEL), I feel hopeful that education is trending toward a more meaningful understanding of SEL’s deep impact on life success. And as SEL becomes more ubiquitous in our conversations around school improvement, I feel encouraged that we are focused on […]
What Does it Take to Become a Trusted Instructional Leader?
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, the past year has been rough. Really, really rough. While we’ll hopefully turn the corner amid the COVID vaccine rollout, the pandemic effects continue to ripple far and wide, and we’ll live for the foreseeable future within the long shadow of COVID-19. It’s normal and healthy […]
Rebuilding Relationships With Your Students Now and Post-COVID
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, the past year has been rough. Really, really rough. While we’ll hopefully turn the corner amid the COVID vaccine rollout, the pandemic effects continue to ripple far and wide, and we’ll live for the foreseeable future within the long shadow of COVID-19. It’s normal and healthy […]
Pause & React: A tool for creating strong teacher-student relationships
Strong relationships in the classroom form the very foundation of student engagement and learning.
Addressing the SEL Needs of Students During & After Covid-19
Educators across the United States recognize the traumatic times our students are enduring as they navigate an evolving impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic. With every new update comes a level of uncertainty surrounding the many facets that affect a district’s ability to devise a plan serving the children of its community.
How to Prioritize Social-Emotional Learning in a Time of Social Distancing
Business as usual in the United States has come to a screeching halt, leaving many wondering if and when things will go back to normal.
Quad D Instruction in the Classroom: Where Rigor Meets Relevance
Quad D learning exposes students to tasks that incorporate high levels of rigor and that are relevant. In this space, students develop critical thinking skills by solving complex real-world challenges. These learning experiences allow them to apply the skills they learn across content areas and use them in an authentic way much like adults in the workforce.
4C Learning Spaces
Everything a good teacher does is purposeful and intentional and that includes designing the classroom space. Yes, we want classrooms to be aesthetically pleasing, and even more importantly we want classroom designs that promote Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Creativity, and Communication, the 4Cs. In classrooms that embody the 4Cs you find areas for students to think […]
Find the Champion Within You: Maximize Instructional Coaching as a Teacher
Serena Williams, one of the best tennis players of all time, has been an inspiration to me on and off the court. She has played professional tennis for the past 24 years with a winning record of 83%. Serena has won 72 career singles championships, including 23 Grand Slam wins (the second best record of all time) and 23 career doubles championships. Throughout her success, one thing has remained consistent: Serena has a coach.
Designing a Classroom Space
Over the years as an educator and a professional educational consultant, I have often reflected on the importance of the ecological context of a learning environment. How does the environment of the classroom “get children in the mood” for learning?