But You Did

The other day, I was drawn to the only blurry photo I have from my first year of teaching in 2006. The photo survived Hurricane Sandy in 2012 when my house flooded. I remember clearly shaking the water off the photo and setting it out to dry by the window. The picture shows me perched …

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Leading in the Mess of Learning

If you are in education for the right reasons, you are continuously keeping students at the heart of decision-making and are working tirelessly to bring the mission and vision of your organization to fruition. A few years ago, I embraced a formal leadership role. When stepping into that space, it felt important to be the …

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Making the Most Out of Professional Learning: 4 Key Insights

Over the past several months and throughout the course of the year, I'll be diligently preparing for a series of literacy professional learning experiences, eager to facilitate and implement. When I craft these experiences, I reflect on what I would have valued as a teacher. The most valuable moments were those short bursts of learning …

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4 Ways to Leverage ChatGPT in Professional Learning Experiences: Empowering Educators with Ideas to Implement Tomorrow

In an educational landscape shaped by the constant ebb and flow of change and technological advancements, it's becoming increasingly clear that it is essential for educators to embrace technology that is not just making a guest appearance; it's a permanent and ever-evolving fixture that demands our ongoing attention and adaptation as it continues to advance. …

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6 Ideas to Empower, Inspire, and Guide New Teachers

6 Ideas to Empower, Inspire, and Guide New Teachers As summer begins to slip away, you find yourself drawn closer to the meaningful work that lies ahead. A new academic year breathes meaning into fresh starts, rekindling connections with students, colleagues, families, and the community in which you serve. For many of you, the summer …

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From Reflection to Action: 5 Ways to Energize Professional Book Talks

If you work in an educational organization, you understand the busyness that engulfs the daily routine. No matter what role you serve in, it is easy to get caught up in the minutiae of your position, losing sight of the bigger picture, if you aren’t intentional with your time. As an educator, you are always …

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From Teacher to Leader: An Open Roadmap of Advice

Pursuing Leadership When I was pursuing my leadership credentials, I brought the experiences and advice I've encountered over the years from my educator family, my own teachers, and leaders with me. I would sit in my classes and reflect on the following questions, "Lauren, are there specific leaders who have left a lasting impression on …

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Mentorship Matters: The Ripple Effect of Mentors Past and Present

Read the entire blog series, Mentorship Matters by clicking HERE. Getting Personal and Authentic In the captivating book, Personal and Authentic: Designing Learning Experiences That Impact a Lifetime, by Thomas C. Murray, he bravely opens up about the power of vulnerability. From the very beginning, Murray shares a heartfelt story about the profound influence his mentor …

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Mentorship Matters: Stepping into Leadership

Read the entire blog series, Mentorship Matters by clicking HERE. In my upcoming book, you will learn that on my path to leadership, I was entrusted with the responsibility of facilitating the mentor program in my previous school district. It was one of the greatest gifts I have ever earned. It allowed me to step …

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Observing Through a Coaching Lens II: 3 Ideas to Leverage Learning Inside the Classroom

The Leap Taking the leap into leadership has provided me with opportunities to expand my impact and broaden my influence in ways I couldn’t have imagined until I started living them. Through my progression from teacher, to reading specialist to instructional coach and now administrator, I have dedicated a substantial amount of time thinking about …

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