Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about this: What truly keeps students engaged in learning? Not just busy, not just compliant, but deeply engaged - curious, questioning, and thinking beyond the task right in front of them. Have you ever stopped to wonder the same? To me, the question feels even more vital in an …
Continue reading 4 Ideas to Keep Students Engaged and Thinking in an AI-Driven World
"If you embrace the idea of being a continuous learner, you will always be relevant. Once you think you are the expert in the room is the moment the world might start passing you by.” - George Couros One of the most important facets of my role is to thoughtfully plan professional learning experiences for …
Rolling Up Your Sleeves - Series Part 1 “How you walk into a room matters,” is a sentiment Dr. Mary Hemphill shared at this week’s FETC conference. As I listened to her powerful words, I was reminded that leadership isn't just about presence, it’s about intention. Whether you’re leading a team, coaching a colleague, or …
Each year, school organizations work diligently to advance priorities while aligning these efforts with state standards, requirements, and—most importantly the needs of their primary stakeholders: KIDS! The evolving educational landscape brings new challenges, as well as shifting strengths and needs among learners, making the work feel immense at times. Despite this, leaders shoulder a collective …
Every person deserves the opportunity to thrive in the learning ecosystems designed to meet their needs every day. These spaces should inspire and empower, creating opportunities for growth for every learner. But thriving isn’t just about the systems we design—it’s about the mindset we bring. What does it truly mean to thrive in our learning …
“The heartbeat of education lives inside the walls of schools. Within those walls, you’ll find stories of kids and teachers in the mess of learning.” This sentiment, one I share in my book, The Leader Inside, speaks to the essence of what we strive to build—a learning ecosystem brimming with curiosity, collaboration, creativity, and growth. …
Leaders are often challenged by countless priorities and limited time, but knowing when to focus and when to lean on others can make all the difference. Yet, when there are too many priorities and only one you, what do you do? When the weight feels heavy, it's easy to get overwhelmed. In those moments, we …
I often ask myself, “What kind of leader do you want to be, Lauren?” My answer: The type of leader I always needed. That is the sentiment I share in my book The Leader Inside. As I was walking out of my high school office yesterday, I heard a familiar voice say, “Lauren, I left …
Continue reading Continuous Learning through Curious Coaching
Every week, I read George Couros’ blog posts. Although all of George's thoughts and insights draw me in and encourage me to reflect on my own learning and growth, this particular one titled, “Creating a Podcast with NotebookLM; What are the negatives and positives of that process?” piqued my interest in a different way. Are …
Continue reading From Blog to Podcast: Turning Reflection into a Conversation with AI
“The way we attend to others determines the kind of person we become.” – David Brooks As I embark on my 19th year in education and my 4th year in a formal leadership role, I remain deeply committed to remembering what it was like to be a teacher. I believe that understanding and responding to …
Continue reading Coaching Leadership: Great Questions Build Bridges
Empower. Collaborate. Connect. 