“How the patterns we create shape the way we grow”

When I was in college, summer breaks often meant working alongside my father, a landscaper. My brothers, sister, and mom placed bets on how long I’d last - manual labor, scorching heat, long pants, ...

When I taught 11th-grade U.S. history, one of the classes was deep in a primary‑source analysis about the Harlem Renaissance.

Halfway through, I could feel the room tilting. Two groups were quietly shutting down, one was off‑task, and tension was ri...

When the Common Core literacy standards were first introduced, my immediate reaction was: No way.

I became a social studies teacher for a reason. I didn’t want to teach grammar. I didn’t want to focus on writing mechanics. That was for the ELA teach...

As the testing season approaches, I partnered with the amazing @Jenny_Orr on a mini-project to help students recognize when they need a brain break.

• Jen is an experienced elementary teacher and author of Demystifying Discussion and co-author of We...

 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 supporti...

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 memorable jou...

Recently, I revisited my favorite spot for acupuncture, a place that always feels like a reset button for my mind and body. During my conversation with the doctor, I shared something I’d been reflecting on: after a trip to Hawaii, I experienced an in...

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 and I had a conversat...

I was in third grade when my family moved to a new school district. It was just after winter break, and my new classmates had already settled into their routines, inside jokes, and lunch table rituals. I arrived as "the new kid"—unsure of where to si...

Two weeks ago, my friend Linda and I were having breakfast in a restaurant when I saw her attention go to the booth behind me to the left. Before I could figure out what was happening, she said to them, “That’s okay; we are both teachers and boy moms...

The beach has always been my “happy place” - the one location where I ponder life, have deep conversations with my three siblings, and play with my boys. 

A few weeks ago, I stood knee-deep in the Atlantic Ocean and watched as the waves rolled towar...

By May 2019, my husband and I had saved enough to take our three boys to Italy to visit his sister and extended family. His parents were born and raised just south of Rome, and the opportunity to explore their roots while making new memories felt lik...