The Weekend Voice

Test anxiety is a real challenge for many students and can hinder their performance.

Hey Advocates,

I hope this message finds you doing well. As many of our schools are in testing mode for finals, this week's theme is about Test Anxiety.

The Impact of Test Anxiety

Test anxiety is a common experience for many students and can have a significant impact on their academic performance. It can manifest in various ways, such as fear of negative evaluation, negative prior experiences, lack of preparation, pressure to perform, and negative self-talk. Students may feel overwhelmed and stressed when faced with exams, decreasing their ability to focus and perform at their best.

Fear of Negative Evaluation

One of the primary factors contributing to test anxiety is the fear of negative evaluation. Students may worry about being judged based on their performance, leading to feelings of pressure and apprehension. This fear can stem from expectations placed on them by parents,...

Let's talk about exclusionary practices in schools

Hey Advocates,

I hope this message finds you well. I'm getting back from Ohio this week. A huge shoutout to Dwight Carter and the rest of the Eastland Fairfield staff for hosting me.

Next week, I'm headed to Arlington Heights, IL, for some continued work on strategies for utilizing difficult text. I'm looking forward to this workshop as we answer the question "how do I teach curriculum with challenging text?" This session provides practical strategies, scenarios, and talking points from real classroom situations.

Reach out to the Leading Equity Center if you are in need of support and let's get you setup with a free 30-minute consultation.

One thing that we often neglect is the failure to shift our focus away from ourselves. I've experienced this firsthand. I used to be accustomed to the traditional teaching model where the teacher stands at the front, serving...

Bringing our best to the potluck

Hey Advocates!

I'm headed to Ohio shortly to work with a school district dealing with a racial slur incident. Maybe you are reading this and troubled by an incident within your school or district regarding the N-word or other derogatory slurs thrown at students. Perhaps it hasn't happened to your knowledge, but you wonder if your staff would know how to handle these situations.

Need talking points and support for your staff regarding racial slurs? Would you like a scenario-driven workshop that breaks down intervention strategies for your students? Additionally, are you pondering how to teach complex text with offensive language? Book a free 30-minute consultation with me, and let's talk about how the Leading Equity Center can support your needs.

When we are not intentional about creating a sense of belonging at school, it is as if we are bringing boxed macaroni...

SEL is more than a destination; it's the engine that drives meaningful interactions and holistic growth.

Hey Advocates,

I'm enjoying all of the back-to-school pics that I'm seeing online. Many educators are excited about the upcoming year, and I appreciate all our educators' work.

I took a brief break from my weekly live stream to work on other projects, and now I'm back to my regular schedule. Next week's live stream is "Google Maps for the Heart: Navigating Emotional Destinations with SEL." I'm focusing on how we can utilize Social-Emotional Learning with fidelity.

In school, Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) is more than a fixed concept; it's a versatile tool that enhances the educational environment. It's like a vehicle needed to create the kind of engaging learning space we always wanted as students or that we know our current students genuinely deserve.

However, SEL is more than a destination; it's the engine that drives meaningful interactions and holistic growth.

Think of...

There is hope for education and our future generations of students.

Hey Advocates,

What a week it has been! I wrapped up my summer course at Idaho State University. I headed to St. Louis for a keynote presentation to about 120 school leaders on the value of creating a sense of belonging for their staff. As a former principal, I was able to draw from my research, experiences, and mistakes that I've made and what we can do to retain our staff.

Overall, it has been a fantastic week.

A couple of things have been on my mind this week. Working with future teachers in my EDUC2204 Families, Community, and Culture course at Idaho State University reminded me that there is hope for education and our future generations of students.

I'm honored to be able to work with such impressionable teacher...

It's hard to believe that I'm in the best shape of my life at this age.

...

Hey Advocates,

I turned 40 yesterday. It's hard to believe that I'm in the best shape of my life at this age. But I still have more things that I want to accomplish. Health and fitness was one of my aspirations. Next up, skydiving. I'll keep you posted.

This summer, I've been in the classroom teaching at the local university a class called EDUC 2204: Families, Community, and Culture to incoming first-year students. This is week five of the seven-week course, and I told the class that my birthday was on Thursday. I walked into class yesterday to a surprise "Happy Birthday" song, cake, and a card. Here's a little clip from yesterday.

I was shocked and honestly, it made my day. If you have a summer birthday, you understand the envy of seeing your peers have cupcakes or celebrations during the school year.

As a kid, I remember it was nice to participate with my friends to celebrate another year of life; however, I recall wishing I could know what it felt like.

How the SCOTUS Ruling Impacts Our BIPOC Student's Sense of Belonging

Hey Advocates,

My initial plan for today's Weekend Voice post was scrapped yesterday. I watched the news that the United States Supreme Court struck down affirmative action in college admissions. It got me thinking about my research on making students feel like they belong in school.

I believe having a diverse group of students in college is crucial, but it's equally important to make sure they stay and feel like they belong. Setting the court ruling aside for a moment, this is an opportunity for colleges like Harvard and UNC to keep creating a welcoming environment for ALL students.

A sense of belonging means that students of all genders, religions, backgrounds (including being the first in their family to go to college), limited income, disabilities, and sexual orientations feel accepted, included, and supported.

The court ruling will have a negative impact on black and brown students, especially if they also face other challenges mentioned earlier. College admissions will change...

When considering our school stakeholders, a critical question arises: What does the mission statement convey?

Hey Advocates,

Last night during my live stream, I shared the six strategies for cultivating a caring system. The work of Dr. Kate Kennedy inspired my presentation. Starting with a caring vision that sets the tone for our schools and institutions is crucial in our journey toward educational excellence.

When considering our school stakeholders, a critical question arises: What does the mission statement convey?

Imagine a student who does not fit within the "embracing culture" and is looking for a sense of belonging. Will they see themselves reflected in the mission statement? Often, mission statements solely focus on academic success or preparing students for life after graduation, lacking the affirmations that support all identities. These statements may be "safe" and fail to incorporate language that centers around a sense of belonging and care.

We must pause and ask ourselves: Is it time to revisit our mission and...

These subtle acts can profoundly impact a student's sense of belonging.

Hey Advocates,

This week, I've either received emails or received news articles about discrimination against our LGBTQIA students during Pride Month. It sucks that there is so much hate all there. I shared some of my thoughts last night during my webinar. Here are a couple of episodes for you in support of our LGBTQ+ students:

Here are my thoughts this week

It seems like every time I post something regarding our LGBTQ+ students, I get at least one email that essentially says, "They don't advocate for BIPOC students." Listen, I hear what you are saying and understand where you are coming from. However, please consider a couple of things.

BIPOC students are often part of the LGBTQ+ community
Many...

Why Teachers Need to Know About Students Living in Poverty

Hey Advocates,

I hope you had a great week and I want to recognize the start of Pride Month here in the United States. It’s unfortunate how much hatred and bigotry is out there because of Pride Month.

I’m keeping this week’s message short and sweet. Why? Well, I’m doing a thing on my bucket list this weekend. About three years ago, I started hitting the gym consistently and this past January, I made the decision to take things to the next level. So I’m participating in my first bodybuilding competition this weekend. I’ll be competing in the Men’s Physique category at the Idaho Muscle Classic. Even though I’m on stage all the time doing keynotes, posing in front of judges and others makes me nervous.

Plus, I’m so hungry

In my next book about creating a sense of belonging for students, I’ve been writing about the impact of poverty on a students’ academic,...

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20 Diversity Equity and Inclusion Activities To Do With Your Team

Leading change is a collaborative effort and thoughtful leaders must begin with the end in mind. However, leading change involves strategic planning sessions that increase awareness of the blind spots within our professional practices. This playbook features 20 activities you can use to lead change initiatives with the goal of ensuring equity within your organization.

I NEED THIS!

Test anxiety is a real challenge for many students and can hinder their performance.

Let's talk about exclusionary practices in schools

Bringing our best to the potluck

SEL is more than a destination; it's the engine that drives meaningful interactions and holistic growth.

There is hope for education and our future generations of students.

It's hard to believe that I'm in the best shape of my life at this age.

How the SCOTUS Ruling Impacts Our BIPOC Student's Sense of Belonging

When considering our school stakeholders, a critical question arises: What does the mission statement convey?

These subtle acts can profoundly impact a student's sense of belonging.

Why Teachers Need to Know About Students Living in Poverty

20 Diversity Equity and Inclusion Activities To Do With Your Team

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