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March 21, 2025: Give Space and Time for Learning

Small habits, when repeated consistently, lead to remarkable results. —James Clear Ignore the Mess? How many of us have supervised the car line before or after school? The elementary level...

March 14, 2025: Let’s Learn!

Grant me the curiosity to explore the things I do not understand, the courage to question the things I do, and the wisdom to never stop learning. —Anne-Laure Le Cunff...

March 6, 2025: Writing Process Tips

A word after a word after a word is power. —Margaret Atwood Big News! I’m excited to share some news with you. Becca Burk and I are officially contracted to...

February 28, 2025: Finding Possibilities with Mentors

A mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself. —Oprah Winfrey Protect Hearts Recently, a colleague said to me, “You know, 10 or 15 years ago...

February 21, 2025: Let Hope Stick

Hope is not always rational, but it is always necessary. —Bryan Stevenson Let Hope Stick There are days when we feel completely, totally, and undeniably disheartened—days that threaten joy and...

February 14, 2025: Spark Reading Response

To love at all is to be vulnerable. —C.S. Lewis Happy Valentine’s Day? Happy Valentine’s Day!  I wonder how many people groaned at that greeting. I know Valentine’s Day did...

February 7, 2025: Boost Talk = Boost Learning

Our passion is our strength. —Billie Joe Armstrong Join Us! One of my secret delights each month is leading the Coach-to-Coach group. It started on a whim in 2023; I...

January 31, 2025: Meaning Matters

Admiration and familiarity are strangers. —George Sand Making Meaning Together Recently I was invited to lead a series of short professional learning sessions at the school where I started my...

January 24, 2025: Ways to Show Learning

He that will enjoy the brightness of the sunshine, must quit the coolness of the shade. —Samuel Johnson Quitter’s Day I recently learned that the second Friday in January is...

January 17, 2025: More Engaged Students

Whether you’re keeping a journal or writing as a meditation, it’s the same thing. What’s important is you’re having a relationship with your mind. —Natalie Goldberg A Personal Story from...

December 20, 2024: Graphic Novels and Novels in Verse

A little candy now and then is relished by the wisest men. —Roald Dahl Sweet Reads & Treats We’re heading into the end of the calendar year, and many of...

December 13, 2024: Literacy in All Subjects

What does this space encourage? —James Clear The Beauty of Literacy in All Subjects I was a biology major and I write books about teaching writers, so it shouldn’t be...

December 6, 2024: Gratitude

When we accept the fact that we can’t do everything, we are more willing to ask for and accept help when we do anything. —Simon Sinek I’m Good? I noticed...

November 22, 2024: Vulnerability

Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage. Truth and courage aren’t always comfortable, but they’re never weakness. —Brené Brown Vulnerability Is Not Weakness Many years ago I accepted an...

November 15, 2024: Supporting Learners

It’s our roots that really give us our identity. ―Rosalia We’re the Kind of People Who… “Becca, we’re the kind of people who help.” I looked my nine-year-old foster daughter...

November 8, 2024: Growing Writers

Just as Michelangelo thought there was an angel locked inside every piece of marble, I think there is a brilliant child locked inside every student. ―Marva Collins Rid Your Mind...

November 1, 2024: A Community of Secondary Readers

One good conversation can shift the direction of change forever. ―Linda Lam Hope Matters We are living in tumultuous times in education and as a society, and now more than...

October 25, 2024: Talking Politics?

One good conversation can shift the direction of change forever. ―Linda Lam Talking Politics? The Pew Research Center found that over half of American adults refrain from talking politics. I...

October 18, 2024: Learning to Collaborate

Reading and writing float on a sea of talk. —James Britton More Than Magical Two students greeted me in the front office. “Hello, it’s nice to meet you,” I said....

October 11, 2024: A Community of Readers

Let’s not forget how beautiful simply washing dishes can be. —Noah Hawley What Official Title Do You Need? I am the Official Kitchen Cupboard Closer in my house. It started...

October 4, 2024: A Love of Books

Literacy is a bridge from misery to hope. —Kofi Annan Books Offer Hope My daughter Stephanie is living the exact life she wants. This is not the life that many...