Education
5 Essentials to Inspire a Successful School Year
The beginning of any school year can feel like a whirlwind. Between meetings and professional development, educators are hard at work planning their initiatives, classroom set-up and lessons to support student achievement and create a welcoming environment. If the to do’s are feeling a bit overwhelming, I invite administrators and teachers to stay focused on…
Read MoreThe Impact of Social Neuroscience in Schools Part I: Orientation
I was never the biggest fan of science class, although botany and human anatomy piqued my interest. I appreciated learning about the integrated systems of plants and the human body, and I was fascinated by how tiny, atomic changes impacted the whole system to generate diverse life. Over time, my interests have led me to…
Read MoreThe Surprisingly Simple Art of the Activity Debrief
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 MoreThe Building Blocks of Brave Spaces Part III: Below the Surface
As we launch into part three of our series, it is likely clear that there is no easy way to be comfortable with feeling uncomfortable. There will not be one methodology that successfully engages all staff members because there is no one-size-fits-all approach. And, by being agile and flexing through the process of creating a…
Read More7 Brain Breaks to Support Student Success
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 MoreStrengthening Social Emotional Learning with Celebrate You(th)
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 MoreThe Building Blocks of Brave Spaces Part II: Relational Trust
Welcome back to our series! As you build a climate where your staff are open to engaging in scratchy dialogue that results in greater understanding, let’s dive into some of the most important factors that contribute to a brave space. For most individuals, having a difficult conversation is easier to do when they have a…
Read MoreInspire Persistence in Your Students
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 MoreThe Building Blocks of Brave Spaces Part I: Group Norms
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 MoreBefore Winter Break, Check on Your Progress
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…
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