Reflective Renewal

Growing up, I was an avid reader.  Even on beautiful spring days when others were out biking and playing, I could be found indoors curled up with a great book.  Like so many adolescents, however, my reading habits did decline somewhat dramatically once puberty struck.  Instead, I was fixated on social relationships and boys, like [...]

[Read more →]

This is not an easy question to answer.  When I was first posed this question, I immediately thought of the important affective qualities we instill in our students, such as self-worth, self-esteem, self-confidence, etc.  How do we do that, though?  How are those essential, identity-shaping elements fostered?
Although it isn’t the only pathway, one significant and [...]

[Read more →]

As a child, I remember visiting the library and seeing the silver emblem stickers on certain picture books that had been awarded Caldecott medals.  Honestly, although I markedly noticed the Caldecott stickers, I never gave the awards much thought.  I just loved the books.  As teachers, though, we all anxiously await the announcement of the [...]

[Read more →]

A new year brings new everything, including new books.  For all you teens, parents, and educators out there ready to tackle the latest titles, here is a resource to help you get started.  In particular, as teachers, we are always searching for the up-to-the-minute books on the market to tempt our adolescent readers.  For those [...]

[Read more →]

Have you ever felt afraid to do something simply because you were alone?
As an only child, that is a familiar concept to me. As a matter of fact, I think one of the many reasons that Lauree and I are such good friends is because we are both only children, and we had one another’s [...]

[Read more →]

As teachers, do you ever feel misunderstood and yearn for a school where you share a common vision and can easily collaborate with others?  Well, you are not alone.  I often feel that way.
I couldn’t help but think of those same, vulnerable feelings when I re-read Maurice Sendak’s 1963 picture book Where the Wild Things [...]

[Read more →]

The lesson for me in Fancy Nancy is to share your individuality with the world, and to be appreciated for it. It is also about values.

I think most of us think we know our values without stopping to consider what they are. Case in point: fancy. Reading Fancy Nancy I was reminded how I have always thought of it as an interest, not on par with health and career, my “real” values.

[Read more →]

Christine wrote this week about reflection as it relates to the book and movie: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.
As a coach and avid photographer what I found in the pages was inspiration for my own creativity — and I hope for yours too.
As Christine experienced in her classroom of 4th graders, the book [...]

[Read more →]

For a limited time, Lauree is offering a special coaching discount for teachers only. See Events for more information.

[Read more →]