TL;DR: The role of shame in education, as told through a specific student case study. A journey through finding what works for kids. Steps to challenge the role of shame in education. “Shame is the intensely painful feeling that we are unworthy of love and belonging.” -Brene Brown This was a tough week for me. One of my students, we’ll … Read More
Embracing Mental Health in Schools
TL;DR: A continuation of the mental health conversation from Brian Faulkner. The importance and strategy for school leaders to take in regards to mental health. Every time I think of this story, I get goose bumps. Why? It’s a perfect example of how we can embrace mental health and it is astonishing to know that when I took this video, … Read More
3 Steps Educators can Take to Better Manage Their Emotions
In This Post: A background on emotional intelligence, EQ. Research on emotional regulation. Suggestions to improve social emotional learning, both of yourself and students. Being an ever-evolving educator, I am continually looking for ways to improve my practice. Both for helping students and also those closest to me. Almost a year ago (March 2019), I read an article by Travis Bradberry on mastering … Read More
Adjust Your Lens: Student Behavior is Information
In This Post: The importance of removing your personal feelings from student behavior issues. Behavior is information, use it to help provide a better learning experience! Ways to adjust your thinking to better meet the needs of your students and colleagues. “I had a hard day today.“ Anytime that I’ve said this as an educator, the translation really should be, … Read More
Using Words to Cultivate Classroom Community
In This Post: The value of words to build classroom community. One activity to cultivate a meaningful, positive classroom community. The importance of keeping your classroom community strong. Words are powerful. Powerful in the way they are strung together to say something, in the tone and demeanor in which they sound or look, and in the way they can make … Read More