The Surprisingly Simple Art of the Activity Debrief

High school students looking at teacher raising their hands in a classroom

Did you know that any exercise can become an Emergenetics®-centric activity? I would guess some readers out there may be thinking: Of course it can…once it’s been vetted through the template and adjusted to speak to each of the seven Attributes. That is true. By working through the Emergenetics metaphor, educators can make changes to…

Read More

7 Brain Breaks to Support Student Success

Middle school students at a table

Assessment season brings a lot of memories to mind. As a former teacher and assistant principal, I remember the nervous energy that settled into the room as students sat down to take their tests, and I can still feel the fatigue that youth experienced during those very long days. Just think about how exhausting it…

Read More

Strengthening Social Emotional Learning with Celebrate You(th)

Teacher in front of engaged classroom

At its core, the Student|Teacher Emergenetics Program™ (STEP) has always supported the social emotional wellbeing of adults and youth. With their Emergenetics® Profiles and Youth Reports in hand, educators and students gain greater self-awareness as they uncover the ways they prefer to think and behave. They discover strategies to enhance self-management by leaning into their…

Read More

Inspire Persistence in Your Students

Teacher calling on students with raised hands

Let’s take a moment to do an activity. Please read each step carefully and complete that action before moving onto the next one. Collect the following materials: a blank sheet of paper, a timer (on your watch, cell phone or computer) and a writing utensil. Take a moment to trace the outline of your hand.…

Read More

The Building Blocks of Brave Spaces Part I: Group Norms

four people sitting around a table talking

How would you rate your comfort level with having difficult conversations? For school leaders, navigating challenging dialogues and discussions are part of your everyday work. Whether within the context of educational practices, performance reviews, student achievement or something else, it is simply part of the job. However, when it comes to conversations about diversity and…

Read More

Before Winter Break, Check on Your Progress

Teacher talking to student about assignment

Can you believe that the school year is halfway over? It’s amazing how quickly each semester passes. If we don’t take a moment to pause, we may miss out on important learnings and celebrations. So, before you head into winter break, I invite you and your students to take some time to consider the goals…

Read More

5 Simple Ways to Integrate Social and Emotional Learning in the Classroom

Teacher writing on whiteboard

The positive impact of social and emotional learning (SEL) likely makes intuitive sense to most educators. When students understand themselves and have the skills to manage their emotions, make responsible decisions, understand others and build positive relationships, they are in a much better position to succeed in school and beyond the classroom. If you prefer…

Read More