TL;DR: Students feel empowered as they share their goals, learning, and growth in all different areas of the curriculum. You can include voice and choice in student-led conferences. Being intentional about what you do before, during, and after conferences leads to finding success in the goals for the conferences. A link to resources can be found below for a notice … Read More
Gratitude: Being Thankful for the Little Things
TL;DR: Many of us are struggling this school year and are working hard to stay positive. Thinking about the little things can help you find reasons to be thankful. Be the one who gives someone a “little thing” to be grateful for. Gratitude. It can be hard to come by this year. Many of us are suffering from the “fall … Read More
The Gift of Leadership
TL;DR: There are five aspects to the gift of leadership. We need to see potential, believe in others, nurture the skill, teach leadership explicitly, and then we must provide opportunities to empower them to lead. Leadership is a skill that needs to be developed. Just like all teachers are leaders, all students are leaders too. Notice, name, and nurture. Show … Read More
Three Lessons from a Storm
TL;DR Positive mindsets are built over time. Continue to work on strengthening them. Your initial thought isn’t always the truth. How you define your thoughts makes a huge difference. Feel all the feelings. Three Lessons from a Storm I had the opportunity over the Labor Day holiday weekend to spend a few days at my in-laws’ cottage. Over the three … Read More
Being Human Is Not Unprofessional
TL;DR: The #RelationshipsFirst movement: Students are more likely to learn when they have a positive relationship with you and get to know you too. We connect better with others who we know, value, and respect. Share stories about life experiences and show humanity to students every day. Their experiences may be similar so by sharing, you have become someone else … Read More