Hey Reader, Can I brag for a minute? Don't worry, I don't want to brag about me, or even about our team. I want to brag about some really amazing educators. One of the coolest parts of my job is that I get to meet and work with so many truly amazing teachers and leaders from all around the country. So when we get the opportunity to celebrate their hard work paying off, I want to do it! Our friends at Erwin Elementary in North Carolina recently received their state report card results, and...
16 days ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, Ok, so this is kind of random, but I was recently reading a fitness article on the importance of recovery, sleep, and growth. The more I read, the more important recovery and sleep seem to become in the science around fitness and nutrition. One of the key takeaways was on how to get quality rest, recovery, and sleep. The article talked about how you should remove distractions by doing things like putting your phone down. But the thing that stuck out most was its suggesting to...
20 days ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, As a keynote speaker and someone who works with schools and districts regularly, I always let schools know that when I deliever a keynote I'll do my best to motivate, inspire, and challenge their staff. And honestly, I think I'm pretty good at those things. (I'm biased, of course) However, I warn them that even the best keynotes are limited in their impact. The reality is, no matter how engaging or inspiring that keynote was, the magic wears off eventually. So the question we need...
27 days ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, Now that we're a few weeks into the school year, what are you noticing? What are you noticing right now? Because right now is when most teachers, leaders, and school districts start to get into the "groove" of the year. The schedules are set, the kickoff convocation day is over, the rooms and rosters are all set. This is the time to "settle in" and get a feel for what the year is going to bring. What if I told you that right now is also when the next 6 months are going to be...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, I wanted to make this week's email short and sweet, so I just have one question for you... Do you have a strong support system in place? The reality is, your job is hard. And it's even harder when you try to do it alone. My suggestion? Don't try to do it alone. Genius, I know. 😂😂😂 All jokes aside, the work you do is hard. And I believe having a supportive community to lean on is crucial when things get a little extra hard from time to time. This is why we updated the Teach Better...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, Before our team schedules professional development with a school or district, there are three questions I always ask school leaders. Because we've seen enough professional development over the years to know that a great training isn't enough. You can have an incredible facilitator. You can have engaged educators. You can share practical strategies people are excited to use. It can go amazingly well and everyone can leave pumped up and ready to change the world. Then everyone goes...
about 2 months ago • 3 min read
Hey Reader, When I talk with educators around the country about standards-based grading, I hear a lot of the same concerns. "I'd love to do it, but our gradebook doesn't work that way.""My district isn't ready for it.""I don't know how we'd explain it to parents.""Changing our entire grading system feels overwhelming." And I get it. These are all totally valid concerns. Standards-based grading can feel like a BIG change. Because it can absolutely be a BIG change. And I think that is because...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader, I love my job. I love working with teachers. Do I miss my classroom and having those moments with students that only teachers can understand? Yes, I absolutely do. But I love my job. I love what I get to do every day. I love running workshops and training events. I love connecting with passionate educators. And I love knowing that I have even a little impact on how those educators change the lives of their students. But, do I love all of it? Well...no, not really. I mean, I...
2 months ago • 3 min read
Hey Reader,Sometimes I have a lot of things to say. Heck, the team often jokes about just "putting a quarter in" like I'm a jukebox or something, because they can get me rolling with a question or statement and I just talk forever. However, sometimes...I don't think you need me to say much. Actually, I think sometimes you actually need me to say very little...or nothing at all. Sometimes, all we need is to know we're not alone. That's all this email is about today. I want you to know: You are...
3 months ago • 1 min read