In the field of biomimicry, we borrow and learn from principles in nature to create systems and structures that are healthy, balanced, resilient, and sustainable. In this way, we could see a school community as a living system, rather than a machine made up of parts. Perhaps this organism is like an aspen forest, with […]
So often in our school communities, we think of making change by engaging a particular “approach” or program. And, in the field of “school reform”—we have often insisted on one approach or lens as being primary or most essential. This debate has often happened with SEL and Equity work—where, rather than seeing these frameworks as […]
Happy New Year! We hope this next calendar year brings much joy and fruition to you all. We will continue our series on the four strands of our approach: SEL, Cultural Responsiveness, Mindfulness and Whole Systems Thinking in February. This month, we are republishing our “Welcoming the Unwelcome” article from December– in hopes it can […]
Holiday stress. Climate change. Local and national political issues. At times we may survey the state of our schools and the world and wonder — how are we supposed to teach in the midst of all of this? Life is messy. The world is messy. And at times in our schools (especially during the holidays), […]
What a time on our planet and in our nation—climate crisis, supreme court justice hearings, #me too dialogues, and the mid-term election around the corner. With so much stress, tension, and challenge on a collective level—it is even more essential to take care with ourselves and to intentionally support and engage our students. To support […]
This blog on Emotional Capacity is the 6th of a six-part series on the Five Dimensions of Engaged Teaching. The season turns— and we settle back into school and a new cycle. Students and teachers alike arrive with stories and experiences from the summer. With all that is present politically, globally, and culturally— we are […]
Note on our Monthly Tips Series: Since the beginning of 2018, we have offered a series of monthly tips based on the 5 dimensions of engaged teaching (as explored in our book). So far, we have explored the dimensions of Open Heart, Being Present, and the Self Observer. This month, we explore Respectful Boundaries. Respectful […]
This is Part 2 of a six-part series on the Five Dimensions of Engaged Teaching. Part 1 – A “Compass” for Our Times “We do not really see through our eyes or hear through our ears, but through our beliefs.” ~Lisa Delpit, Other People’s Children: Cultural Conflict in the Classroom We have a […]
With all that is present in our country and world—we wanted to offer some practices and principles to support us all to navigate the intense and volatile times we live and teach in. The Five Dimensions of Engaged Teaching (as explored in our book by the same title) can serve as a powerful “compass” or […]
The days grow shorter, the season shifts, and we turn now towards the final days of 2017. This time of year can be both joyous and stressful for teachers and students alike—as calendars fill with everything from holiday events, to mid-term exams, to semester end projects and report cards. Emotions can run high –as the […]
