Positive teacher-student relationships are invaluable, leaving a lasting impact on the social, emotional, and academic growth of young individuals (National Center on Safe and Supportive Learning Environments, 2023). The significance of these connections became even more apparent during a recent Christmas tree decorating tradition with my adult, college-age children. As they carefully placed each ornament, I paused to listen, as the room echoed with stories from their school days – tales of teachers, friends, and the memories encapsulated in each unique ornament. Through the laughter and sharing of these special memories, I was reminded on the profound role educators play in shaping the narrative of a child’s life.
Listening to my children reminisce about the ornaments and share their favorite memories of teachers, I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of gratitude for the dedicated educators who had left an indelible mark on their lives. The seemingly simple ornaments became cherished treasures, representing the countless hours teachers invest in lesson planning and the thoughtful crafting of activities to impart values of faith, family, and tradition. These efforts, though perhaps overlooked in the moment, plant seeds of lasting memories that endure far beyond the classroom.
In my own educational journey, I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with remarkable educators. As both a mother and a colleague, I extend heartfelt appreciation to all those who choose to serve in the classroom. Your commitment and passion make a profound difference in the lives of the students and parents entrusted to your care.
YOU make a difference and the seeds you plant today continue to grow for a lifetime…thank you!
The journey of earning my doctorate degree in education has been nothing short of an awe-inspiring experience. The countless hours of research, the rigorous academic challenges, and the camaraderie with fellow scholars have collectively shaped me into a more knowledgeable and resilient individual. The process of delving deep into the intricacies of educational theory and practice has not only expanded my intellectual horizons but has also instilled in me a profound passion for enhancing the educational landscape. I have served in education for the last 26 years, inspired by many teachers and school leaders. This has been a life-long goal and I am so grateful for all the support and words of encouragement along the way.
As I reflect on this transformative journey, I am filled with a sense of accomplishment and anticipation for the next phase of my academic endeavor. Armed with a wealth of knowledge and a heightened understanding of educational methodologies, I am excited to transition into the role of a contributor, researcher, and advocate for improved learning experiences. The prospect of engaging in meaningful research and writing to share innovative ways to enhance the educational journey for both students and teachers fuels my enthusiasm. This next phase represents an opportunity to bridge the gap between theory and practice, translating academic insights into actionable strategies that can positively impact classrooms and educational institutions.
My doctoral journey has equipped me not only with a scholarly mindset but also with a deep sense of responsibility to make a meaningful contribution to the field of education. I am eager to continue to collaborate with like-minded individuals, educators, and institutions to implement evidence-based practices that can foster a more enriching and effective learning environment. As I embark on this new chapter, I am motivated by the belief that education is a powerful catalyst for positive change, and I am committed to playing an active role in shaping a future where learning is an inspiring and transformative experience for all involved. If you are in that phase of discernment about whether to work towards earning a doctorate degree in education, be encouraged that you can make a difference and your voice is needed in education.
A special thank you to Liberty University for having a financially supportive program for veterans, allowing me to embark on this very fulfilling journey.
Improving Teacher Retention Within the Archdiocese of Washington Dissertation-https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/5006/
May we all continue to seek knowledge in all things,
As I reflect on the 2022-23 school year, I am so proud of the school leaders and teachers I serve. This was a year of not getting back to normal but developing a new framework to meet the needs of students and school communities. In the midst of a society inundated with negativity and despair, teachers and school leaders are called to be beacons of hope. Recognizing the importance of professional development, I had the privilege of attending a conference that not only inspired and renewed educators but also provided invaluable strategies and best practices. The NCEA Conference held in Texas last April brought together teachers from all over the United States, fostering an environment of excitement and growth.
Building Hope and Inspiring Change
As teachers, we hold a remarkable responsibility in shaping the leaders of tomorrow and influencing the future of society. The conference was a testament to the commitment of educators who understand the importance of their role. It was truly inspiring to witness thousands of teachers gathering in one place, united by their passion for education. Laughter filled the air as teachers immersed themselves in sessions, eagerly absorbing new knowledge and revisiting proven strategies. The energy and enthusiasm that emanated from the event were a testament to the collective dedication of educators to their craft and the need for educators to have opportunities to come together to share ideas and collaborate.
Renewing Spirit and Cultivating Excellence
Professional development plays a vital role in empowering teachers to be the best versions of themselves in the classroom. The conference provided a platform for educators to reflect, rejuvenate, and gather the necessary tools to establish a positive school culture. It allowed school leaders to introspect and equip themselves with the skills required to support and uplift their teaching staff. By embracing this opportunity for growth and renewal, educators could enhance the educational experience for their students.
Noteworthy Vendors
Numerous vendors contributed to the success of the conference by offering their expertise and resources. Here are some vendors whose offerings caught my attention:
ADAC – Professional Development Specialists (www.theadac.com):
ADAC specializes in providing professional development services to educators. Their workshops and training sessions offer valuable insights and strategies that enhance teaching practices and student engagement. By investing in continuous professional development, teachers can evolve their instructional methods and inspire their students.
Little Linguist Art Academy (info@littlelinguistics.com):
Little Linguist Art Academy offers a unique approach to language learning through artistic expression. By combining language acquisition and creative activities, they provide an engaging and immersive learning experience for students. Their programs help foster a love for languages and encourage students to explore their creative talents.
Silent Auction Pro (www.SilentAuctionPro.com):
Silent Auction Pro offers comprehensive software solutions for organizing and managing fundraising events. With their user-friendly platform, schools can streamline the process of conducting silent auctions, thereby maximizing their fundraising potential. This resource can significantly benefit schools looking to generate funds for various educational initiatives.
Loyola Press (www.loyolapress.com):
Loyola Press is a renowned publisher specializing in educational materials, particularly in the field of Catholic education. Their resources include textbooks, teaching aids, and faith formation materials. By providing comprehensive and high-quality materials, Loyola Press supports educators in delivering an enriching and value-based education to their students.
National Catholic Education Association (NCEA)-www.ncea.org
COGNIA-www.cognia.org
Sadlier-www.sadlier.com (Vocabulary and Writing Resources for K-12)
Attending the NCEA Conference was a truly transformative experience. Witnessing the dedication and passion of educators from across the nation served as a powerful reminder of the profound impact we can have on our students and society as a whole. The conference provided an opportunity to learn from industry experts, exchange ideas with fellow educators, and explore innovative resources offered by exceptional vendors.
As we approach the summer break, let us be inspired to build a framework for the upcoming school year that plants seeds of hope and fosters a love for learning among our students. May school leaders also reflect and renew their commitment to supporting their teachers in establishing a positive school culture and establish routines and traditions to help establish a dynamic team, thereby enhancing the educational experience for all students.
May we continue to seek knowledge in all things~
Denise
McGraw Hill Education Wonderful teachers I met at the conference who traveled from Belize.Curriculum AssociatesFr. John Belomonte, S.J. (Diocese of Venice)ADW School Leaders-Principal Erin Meunier was a presenter.
As of June 2023, this blog has had over 1 million views, thank you! I am in the final stages of conducting my research for my dissertation and I appreciate the kind messages of inspiration sent. This platform was created in 2012 to share the good in education. Please feel free to share what inspired you this year. Sharing the good is synergistic and good for us all!
May we continue to seek knowledge in all things~
Denise
August 2020
Thank you to the 580K+ visitors to this blog. This blog is a creative way I use to share the good I see and find. Once I defend my dissertation and earn my doctorate, I hope to spend more time sharing the best practices that readers share with me. I appreciate the teachers and educational leaders that share tips and recommendations they find helpful in the classroom, school or district they serve. Thank you to the parents who leave comments and suggestions too.
When we train our eyes to see the good, we can do ANYTHING!
Educational leaders, as you prepare to bring your teams back together, now more than ever, we need to work with our school teams to develop a sense of collective responsibility to contribute to a positive school environment (Towers & Maguire, 2017).
Our teachers desire a sense of belonging (Kelchtermans, 2017). We need to seek to hear teacher voice, allowing our educators to take an active role in developing, implementing and engaging in professional development that will enhance the educational experience for all stakeholders holders and increase job motivation amongst team members.
Regardless if the role we serve is teacher, janitor, secretary or principal, we all teach in word and action. However, collectively, a school team needs to be of one mind, one unified team to serve the students and parents placed in their care. A positive school climate is synergistic. It takes having intentional discussions as a school team and developing a framework, a road map to team success now before the students return.
The school year can be a road with many challenges (COVID) and obstacles. However, a unified team, determined to create and maintain a positive school culture can do ANYTHING!
May this upcoming school year be filled with new discoveries and developments for your school team…
It is a joy for me to serve in education and I wanted to share some slides from one of my latest professional development sessions. As educational leaders, it is essential that we are reflective in practices and take the time to enter the difficult conversations and modeling this for our school teams. A positive school culture can not only make a difference in building a strong educational team and retaining teachers, but studies show that a positive school culture has a direct effect on student learning. Exemplary leaders understand how to create a climate of collaboration, they must determine what the group needs to do their work and build the team around a common purpose with mutual respect (Kouzes, 2017).
As we walk through this pandemic, take the time to invest into the discussion of developing or strengthening your school cultures…it will make ALL the difference!
May we continue to seek knowledge in all things~
Denise
Reference
Kouzes, J. & Posner, B (2017). The leadership challenge-how to make extraordinary things happen in organizations.
Mature development can occur within a team with a clearly communicated mission, defined expectations, intentional professional development and team building moments.
A positive team creates a positive school culture.
Today I entered into a discussion with young principals and assistant principals on the importance of professionalism. This led into great dialogue on various views of what did or did not constitute professional best practices, regarding setting expectations for one’s school team.
Should school teams have school spirit shirts and be allowed to wear them once a week to enhance esprit de cour or does the team wearing t-shirts look unprofessional? If parents see teachers in the office laughing, is that unprofessional and therefore the office is a quiet zone or does the laughter model the joy of the learning environment and promote creativity, team-building and relationships?
Over the last 25 years serving in various roles in education, and the last 8 years serving as a principal, I have found that amazing things can happen in learning environments with a joyful team. Research shows that a positive school culture effects student learning and teacher retention. A negative school climate has been found to reduce student participation in school activities and student learning (Chen and Weikart, 2008).
I had a mentor tell me early on in my career, that in education, it is important to always keep one student in mind bwhen making any decision. If this practice is followed, then the classroom and building environments being created, the expectations being modeled in word and action, will always benefit the student.
Research shows that by creating “team traditions” like Thankful Thursday Team Spirit Days and “allowing” and promoting laughter throughout the school, will help not hinder in promoting a positive school culture. Research shows that a positive school culture effects student learning and teacher retention.
I am passionate on this topic, as I feel it takes intentional leadership to create positive teams and a positive school culture. I have seen the amazing impact that being intentional in these areas can have on student, staff and parent morale and student learning.
It is that busy time of year where classroom instruction seems to fly by and engaging students of all ages can be challenging. Exhale and know that you are making a difference. Intentional planning can really help maintain the calm in the classroom these last few weeks leading up to the holiday break.
For those looking to enhance their students’ reading surrounding this season, I thought I would share this great website that offers a comprehensive list of recommended Christmas Novels and Short Stories .
I love to share the good when and where I find it!
Odyssey of the Mind
An international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college.
Math Chimps
Great online math games aligned to the Common Core State Standards~for ages 4-16
Oceanhouse Media
Great educational book apps and so much more. Check out often for FREE downloads to help your child learn letters, phonics & math!
Team Building and Problem-Solving Strategies for the Classroom
Odyssey of the Mind
An international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college.
Unlock the Teacher 