My philosophy about teaching is simple. Build relationships to maximize learning. Madeline Hunter once said that “Kids don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care!” What she professed could not be more true. Building strong relationships with students is the key to helping them feel safe and maximizing their learning potential. Sometimes the subject matter in our classrooms can’t compete with the “drama” in their lives. The main ingredient missing in a lot of our classrooms today is a “connection with kids.” I believe the research is clear: when students know you value them as human beings, they will work harder for you and challenge you less.

My argument is that teachers need to be given research-based, proven, practical strategies and applications that can be immediately implemented. I know that educators have the toughest job in America as we are asked every day to be so many different things – mom, dad, nurse, counselor, teacher, advisor, judge, jury, lawyer – just to name a few.

I understand that students come into our classrooms and schools with different backgrounds and cultures. Their cognitive abilities, assets and experiences, and medical diagnoses are just as wide ranging.  Sometimes the only thing students have in common is their age! The “one size fits all” approach does not work anymore.

I also know the biggest unchallenged assumption about education is that kids are coming to school willing and ready to learn. As educators, we know this is not the case. We have a generation of kids coming to our schools essentially un-socialized. Many students are learning behavior from TV shows, video games, social media, and a myriad of other influences.

All in all, I believe there’s not much we can do for students in the evening hours, but there is a lot we can do from 7:30 AM until 4:00 PM. I am dedicated to helping educators be successful through motivation, inspiration, humor, and a common-sense approach to stress management. Most importantly, I leave educators with as many proven, practical strategies as I can.