Here in New York City, we’re coming up on the annual Department of Education’s Respect for All Week. From February 10-14, K-12 school activities promote positive school climates, including the National No One Eats Alone Day on Friday, the 14th (which,…
In the absence of love and belonging, there is always suffering. – Brene Brown If you’ve ever been excluded, you know what a powerful and negative impact it has on the soul. If you were excluded as a child, you…
Dear Elementary PTA President (a.k.a. Superhero in Mom Jeans – or Dad Sneakers), Schools wouldn’t be a community without you and we need strong communities to help raise resilient, happy kids. Thank you for stepping up. Without your efforts to…
I’ve taken my foot off the pedal the past few months. I have to admit to fatigue. At times, I feel like a cheerleader for a team that only wins a few games a year and can’t seem to fill…
Visiting Staten Island’s P.S. 45 (John Tyler School) inspired me. (For those reading this outside of New York City, P.S. stands for Public School.) Every student in this elementary school participated in an awesome kick-off assembly honoring Respect for All…
Leadership is not a rank or a position. Leadership is a service to be given. — Simon Sinek Leadership comes in all sizes, shapes, colors, and ages. That’s the message being given at P.S. 23, a wonderful elementary school on…
You’re a fat pig. LOLJK* You’re so gay it makes me sick. LOLJK What’s wrong with you? LOLJK You smell. LOLJK What kind of outfit is that? Loser. LOLJK You are soooooooooo stupid. LOLJK Want to be my friend? Over…
Let me put it this way, it is highly unusual when a school doesn’t have a bullying issue. The national statistic is about 30% of kids in schools say they’ve been bullied. After I conducted a survey in a local…
Almost everyone has had a great teacher in their lives. One of mine was Mrs. Behrens in the third grade. If you went by looks alone, you’d be terrified. She was an imposing figure. Luckily for the hundreds of kids…
If you’re a college football fan, you know that at a certain midwest university it’s tradition for the players to hit this sign before they run onto the field. These words and this tradition reminds players to be their best….