You landed your first speaking gig, NOW WHAT?

 So, you landed your first speaking gig. That email came in. You saw your name next to the word “presenter,” and your heart jumped. This is the moment you have been waiting for. But after the excitement settles, reality hits. Now what?

Let me tel...

When I opened Elevated Educator, I knew I would find passion. What I did not expect was the precision, clarity, and real-world wisdom packed into every chapter. Megan Diede and Kara Rigsby wrote this book for the classroom educator, not theory. As someone who believes in Standing Tall for students a...

Hey gang! Summer is almost here, and if you are an educator, you already know what that means—two months of “rest” that somehow end up jam-packed with side gigs, house projects, and maybe some lesson planning you swore you would not do.

Now listen, just because you love teaching does not mean...

Hey everyone. Let’s be honest—staff meetings suck and often feel like a waste of time. They should bring people together, share valuable information, and improve the school. Instead, they drain energy, frustrate teachers, and make everyone question their life choices.

The good news? It does not ...

Hey there! Let’s talk about something hard to face but crucial for growth: not getting the recognition you think you deserve. Yeah, it stings. But what if I told you there is power in those moments? You can get it even when you don’t get it. Let’s break it down.

Clear Expectations Create the Fou...

Hey, gang! I am bringing you the real talk on professional development. Let’s be honest: when educators hear “professional development,” it doesn’t always spark excitement. Instead, we brace ourselves for long hours, unengaging presentations, and content irrelevant to our daily needs. That mindse...

As I walk through schools across our nation, I see an unsettling trend: talented educators leaving the profession. The problem isn't a lack of capable teachers—it's our struggle to retain them. Retaining great educators requires more than acknowledgment; it demands deliberate, intentional effo...

Exploring Student Learning Pathways  

When we think about education, we often picture a straight and narrow path—a singular road traveled by all, leading to the same destination. Yet, as teachers and learners, education is rarely a one-size-fits-all experience. Each student has strengths, challe...

The Co-Teaching Connection

I promise this is a school climate and culture blog, not a relationship blog! But there are certainly some common themes. Co-teaching brings a fresh dynamic to the classroom, one that’s driven by teamwork, trust, and adaptability. More than just two teachers in a room,...

As a former student, educator, and administrator with dyslexia, overcoming learning challenges has always been a part of my life. Over the years, as I’ve worked with students, families, and other educators, I’ve come to realize just how complex and vital this field truly is. Recently, I had the p...

Efficiency and effectiveness are two concepts that often get thrown around together, yet they can feel like distant cousins in the world of education and leadership. For many of us, these terms create tension, like a marriage that constantly needs counseling. When we strive for both simultaneousl...

Who Are We?

In life, no good stories start with eating a salad.  Great success stories begin with a bold move, a moment of courage, a creative risk, or a leap of faith.  Many of you have tuned in and read the blogs for “Stand Tall Leadership Show” and now “The School Climate and Culture Show.” I...