As educators, we understand the profound impact a sense of community can have on student engagement, learning outcomes, and overall well-being. A classroom environment prioritizes community-building and fosters collaboration, empathy, and a...

Dr. Barbara Fredrickson eloquently defines awe as an encounter where one is "overwhelmed by greatness." In the picturesque landscapes of Normandy, France, I discovered firsthand the transformative power of awe.

In 2007, I embarked on a poignant...

There were mere weeks left in the school year, and in a rare moment of quiet, I checked emails before the class returned from lunch. Before long, I heard the bustle of students coming back into the building, and three of my Grade 3 boys hurtled...

Three days ago, one of my teenage boys asked me if I had heard that Ye (formerly known as Kanye West) was a guest on InfoWars. This far-right-wing political site espouses conspiracy theories and promotes non-factual news.

I had not known this, but...

You may know I have three sons - two biological and one bonus son (stepson). They are my daily motivation to put good energy into the world, inspire me to be and do better, and model for me what authentic growth entails. 

Jared, my high...

I have long been a practitioner of social emotional learning (before it was called SEL) in my high school social studies classroom and implicitly facilitated the development of these skills. By year eight, I began to explore SEL's role in my...

I’ve worn glasses since the third grade. I have sat in an optometrist’s chair 37 times and been asked, “Which lens provides the best view: 1 or 2? 2 or 3?” I am amazed at how much clearer things can become, even after...

I drove past a farm with a large sign that read, “DUCK EGGS FOR SALE.” I immediately felt nauseous by the idea of eating a duck egg. Ducks are the cute creatures that I see swimming on ponds and in funny gifs and memes. Why would I...

Last week, a district administrator shared a question a teacher asked: "So, how do I integrate SEL? Should I just hug the kids when they are upset? Should I high five them as they walk into the room?"

Over the last fourteen years working as a...