Please CLICK above to share. This vlog is based on this email: Hello Seth! Thank you for the continued work you are doing. If you are looking for VLOG topics, I've got one for you! My only request would be that you start off with your guitar and a little diddy. I am noticing a pattern of lying in students I work with (and other colleagues are experiencing this as well), and even with my step-son (that's even a more challenging scenario!!). Lying to me says there is a lack of skills … [Read more...]
INEQUALITIES in Education are REAL
Please CLICK above to share. This vlog is based off a recent email I received: Hello! I appreciate the concept but have a couple of concerns. First, I work in a district that is part of a low income, rural community. Most of the students and their families do not have the income to purchase the supplies that you mention in this video. Second, many students’ parents are not educated or do not value education. I realize the importance of this topic, and encouraged my students when I was a … [Read more...]
An open letter to dads
Dear Dads, As you know, I work with all sorts of students; middle school, high school, and college students, boys and girls both. To date, I've literally worked with hundreds of students, and I've noticed some pretty cool patterns. As I get to know my clients they begin to tell me about their lives, and I want to share one very interesting pattern that I've seen over and over: Across the board, kids want much more Dad time. They often tell me that they feel like their fathers don't have … [Read more...]
[Video] What is a “Naturalistic Learner”? Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences
Please CLICK above to share. Naturalistic Learners are students who have strengths in intelligence related to nature. They may be highly connected to nature in many ways: They may have a deep love of plants, animals, people, rocks, nature, being outdoors, camping, hiking, rock climbing, biology, astrology, dinosaurs, etc.. These kids often struggle in school, and unfortunately, their naturalistic strengths are often not valued in our "standards-based" culture. Here are links to the main … [Read more...]
The Most Important Thing of All
The Most Important Thing in the World... It's not grades, SAT scores, college readiness. It's not staying out of trouble, perfection, getting a job. It's not extra curricular, resumes, letters of recommendation. It's not "out there" anywhere. It's so easy to get lost in the other stuff, but it's right here and now. The most important thing is quality time with the people you care about. Connecting with our children. Playing with them. Laughter, fun, smiling freely, joy, gratitude, … [Read more...]
2016 – How To Create The Best Year Ever For Your Family
Simple but not easy: If you want to make 2016 the best year yet, begin with crystal clear intentions. There are many ways to do that, but I have outlined a solid strategy for you here. The idea is that you will free yourself from those things which block you so you can have space for the things you value most. Feel free to modify these ideas any way you wish. Here we go... Get Started Get a journal out. You can use anything you want, an old notebook, a fancy moleskin, your computer, … [Read more...]
Pushing buttons
In the late 1990s, I was working in a kindergarten class with a brilliant teacher named Candy. The class was filled with bright eyes and curious minds. There was one particular 6 year old who really knew how to push my buttons. Whitney knew just what to say or do to pull the rug out from under me. My efforts backfired, nothing worked, I was stumped. Fortunately, I was in an introspective place and journaling a lot, which helped me learn a few things: Buttons are meant to be pushed. If someone … [Read more...]
Clean Slate
New semester = clean slate. I work with a lot of students right before a semester begins so they can get a strong start. From grade school to grad school, here's what I do with many students: Backpack Empty it, clean it out. Ask what they use each pocket for. This raises awareness that they are choosing "homes" for things such as books, supplies, folders, money, etc. I don't necessarily care where they put things, I care that they have intentionally chosen the place, because it's all about … [Read more...]