One, Two, Three All Eyes on Me: The Power of Visual Connection
Student engagement is a primary focus of my work. When entering classrooms, I often observe teachers giving directions and delivering instruction while students have their heads down, writing, drawing, or basically looking anywhere but at the teacher. When addressed, the response I often hear is, “Well, some students can look distracted and still be listening.” […]
Leadership Confessions
Sometimes, the pressure for school leaders to know all the answers is overwhelming. Most of us have been taught that to be a good leader we have to lead from the front, never alongside and never behind those we serve. As a teacher, I would often tell my students, “I don’t know the answer to […]
Evolution: “Management or Die” is a Thing of the Past
Classroom Management For What? Compliance is NOT the goal When it started, CT3 Education (then, the Center for Transformative Teacher Training) partnered with districts, schools, and organizations across the nation, with a focus on improving classroom management. All of our work was rooted in the No-Nonsense Nurturer® Four Step Model, an approach to engaging students […]
Rocking Teacher Feedback: There Are Levels to This
Let’s dive into teacher feedback – a powerful tool in nurturing our teachers and fostering a school that learns. Like sports coaching strategies, effective feedback can be the key to transforming a good teacher into a great one. Let’s explore the three crucial levels that can impact teaching practices and enhance student learning while understanding how each level […]
College and Career Readiness
College and career readiness is an issue of growing importance in my mind. In fact, I am obsessed with it. I am a career educator, coach, community member, and most importantly the mom of two Generation Z youngsters. In my opinion, Gen Z gets a bad rap, for it is their sensitivity (which is frequently […]
Relationships: More important now than ever before.
This is a repost and certainly as timely now as it was in March 2020. This blog series is aimed at helping educators in a time of uncertainty and challenge. The cornerstone of being a No-Nonsense Nurturer is building meaningful relationships – with students, their families, and our colleagues. During this time of COVID-19, most […]
Managing online learning fatigue for scholars
This online learning blog series is aimed at helping educators in a time of uncertainty and new challenges. Whether you are managing a virtual classroom daily with synchronous instruction or engaging with asynchronous instruction, supporting students as they balance their time on- and off-the-screen makes a difference in their overall success. What are some tips […]
What do we do on Wednesday, November 4, 2020?!
The SY2021 school year is presenting a number of challenges for educators — too many to count. In the coming week, national (and local) elections may contribute to that challenge. The current identity polarization in the US — across lines of race, politics, gender, ethnicity, language and more — will undoubtedly show up in conversations […]
Strategic Supports for Veterans Serving Schools
I recently read that the Florida Department of Education (DoE) is providing opportunities for members of the United States Armed Forces and veterans to join the ranks of teachers and administrators working to support Florida’s students. Difficult Times Call for Innovative Solutions As a former Marine captain and air command and control officer, I know […]
Anti-Racist Read Alouds
I realized that one way I could help my kids address racism in their lives was through exposure to literature and conversation that celebrates diversity and addresses race.
