What if the professional learning that makes the biggest difference doesn’t begin with a new resource or a full day away from the classroom? What if it begins with something smaller: a piece of student work, a question from a teacher, or a colleague sharing an idea that works? Over time, I’ve learned that meaningful …
Continue reading 4 Ways to Make Professional Learning Matter
This week, I’m continuing to write about the ideas from the Mel Robbins podcast with Adam Grant that I keep coming back to. When something inspires me, I often revisit it…replaying a podcast, listening to music, or rereading a passage from a book or article. That’s how I make space to reflect and let an …
Last weekend, I finally got to spend time with my best friend from high school. It was long overdue. Our lives have taken different paths over the years. We weren't always on the same timeline when it came to getting married, having children, buying homes, or navigating professional responsibilities. And although we've tried to stay …
What gets the best of your energy each day? And perhaps more importantly, who gets what's left? I've been thinking about these questions quite a bit lately. There are days when I walk into work with a clear plan. I know what I need to accomplish, who I need to connect with, and where I …
What does it take to help people move through change? Last week, as our district began the first full cycle of professional learning for a new literacy resource we are implementing, I saw one answer: make room to learn. I spent weeks planning with our leadership team, literacy coaches, educators, and our consultants. The behind-the-scenes …
Years ago, I met two educators at a conference where I presented regularly. I remember them well because, individually and at different times, they attended my sessions and stayed afterward to speak with me about all things education. There is something about an educator who takes the time to do that that has always stayed …
This week, I walked into a kindergarten classroom and noticed children helping one another with the writing process. They were sketching, talking, making approximations, and learning together. They have been in school for less than a month and no one had assigned them leadership roles. They simply understood that the people around them could help …
If there is one thing we know about education, it is that there is always something new to navigate. The world continues to evolve, and so do the skills learners need to thrive within it. In every year I have served as an educator, something has felt a little different. Priorities shift, new possibilities emerge, …
“You will always have Long Beach sand in your shoes, no matter where you go.” Years ago, I used to share those words with new teachers as I handed each of them a tiny vial of sand from the beach community we taught in. At the time, I thought I was giving them a reminder …
Have you ever had one of those weeks when several competing priorities, all important seem to come at you at once? If you are part of the educational community, I think it’s safe to say you can probably relate. Last week was one of those weeks for me. Actually, if I’m being fair, almost every …