I help school staff create more effective school environments for their students.
I once heard John Maxwell say that if a train was moving at 55 miles per hour, it could knock through a six-foot block of concrete. However, if the train was sitting still, you could put a two inch block of wood in front of one of the front wheels … [Continue reading]
I sometimes get questions about acknowledging students, particularly as it relates to praise. This is an important part of creating a positive behavioral environment for your class. Interestingly, teachers who use a higher ratio of praise to … [Continue reading]
I once worked with a school that was great at collecting data. When I asked to see the data they had, they brought out reams of paper with tiny numbers on it. They also were able to share social and emotional screening data that had been sitting in a … [Continue reading]
Do you ever feel like you're just moving from one meeting to another? Do you ever wish that you could plan in advance for key events. For these reasons, we all need a 10,000 foot view of our year. Life happens, but it tends to favor minds that are … [Continue reading]
My son's summer day camp was not well organized. When we arrived, I noticed counselors playing games with friends, and campers pushing and shoving. I saw a few staff talking with kids, but they were the exception. I noticed a fight breakout out on … [Continue reading]