TL;DR: Names should be celebrated and said correctly by teachers as a means of retaining student dignity and identity. Students don’t need nicknames; they need our effort and allyship. My parents named me Caitlin, which was also the most popular feminine given name of my birth year. My mom always made sure to point out that she spelled it the … Read More
The Time is NOW to Lead with Love
TL;DR: Love all members of your community and have the courage to tell them you love them. Leading with love is good for all members of the community including yourself. It provides benefits like less worry, fear, and stress, and increased feelings of support, safety, and comfort. Is it possible to love the people you lead? It absolutely is. You … Read More
Posting in a Pandemic
TL;DR: Positivity is important when communicating with families; however, in order to stay authentic, one should not be excessively positive. Tell the whole story, be honest and vulnerable, and prepare for a two-way dialogue when communicating with stakeholders. Posting in a Pandemic: Excessive Positivity Isn’t Always Authentic Leaders inspire vision and confidence in their organization, and schools are no different. … Read More
Cue the Celebrations! How to Celebrate in Schools Today!
TL;DR: Celebrating is like a skill that gets easier with practice. Start by teaching students why and how we celebrate as a class by keeping a list of celebrations to share publicly each day or privately through a weekly personal journal. Celebrate students by sharing messages via email, communication apps like SeeSaw, Post-it notes, or on desks with dry-erase markers. … Read More
Less Is More
TL;DR: There are gifts that can be given this holiday season to help children continue to learn and grow. Less is more when giving meaningful gifts. Gift ideas include books, outdoor activities, or various experiences to stimulate the brain and body. This year, we all need a little bit more of the holly jolly season. Get us out of 2020! … Read More