Tag Archives: 21st Century Education

The Importance of Social Emotional Learning

At a recent Parent Involvement Association (PIA) Meeting, our accomplished Division Heads and our amazing School Counselor shared our SEL curriculum with parents. We like to say the “the social emotional curriculum sets the table for the academic and cognitive … Continue reading

Posted in empathy, kindness, leadership, parenting, parenting middle school aged children, Seven Hills School Walnut Creek | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on The Importance of Social Emotional Learning

Lessons from the River #3… Adopt the pace of nature; her secret is patience. (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

On the raft with Polly Fredlund, Head of Westover School, CT. One of the best benefits of the Salmon River experience this summer was the ability (and the need) to adopt the pace of nature. We knew when we paddled … Continue reading

Posted in 21st Century Skills, education, global skills, leadership | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Lessons from the River #3… Adopt the pace of nature; her secret is patience. (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

Lessons from the River…#1 Let go and flow with the river.

This summer, I had the tremendous joy and privilege of joining 22 head colleagues on the Main Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho. Over five days, we traversed 88 miles through Class 2, 3, and 4 rapids. We either … Continue reading

Posted in academic excellence in elementary schools, global skills, leadership, mental health, mindfulness, Seven Hills School Walnut Creek, social emotional learning | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Lessons from the River…#1 Let go and flow with the river.

On David Brooks’ Op-Ed Dateline October 20, 2023, Tanzania, Africa

I am here in Africa for only the second time in my life, the second time in 12 months, as it turns out, preparing for a personal challenge to climb Africa’s tallest mountain. It is sunrise. I am listening to … Continue reading

Posted in 21st Century Skills, academic excellence in elementary schools, childhood development, David Brooks, NY Times, early childhood education, ECE Early Childhood Education, education, empathy, global skills, mental health, mindfulness, new york times, NY Times, parenting, Seven Hills School Walnut Creek, the science of emotion | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on On David Brooks’ Op-Ed Dateline October 20, 2023, Tanzania, Africa

Returning to this writing on 9/11…

I am not sure why it has taken me a year to get back to this blog. A year ago I was preparing for my sabbatical and planning to take time away, during a school year, for the first time … Continue reading

Posted in education | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Returning to this writing on 9/11…

What Is School For? NYTimes OpEd

School is a community, a common place to gain relationships. School is for social interactions and learning to become an active member of society. Most grown-ups believe that school is only for learning back-to-back. They don’t understand the parts that … Continue reading

Posted in education | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on What Is School For? NYTimes OpEd

NYTimes: Teens and Phones on the return to school…

Yes, we need to reclaim being together, in person, when school starts…

Posted in education | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on NYTimes: Teens and Phones on the return to school…

NYTimes: Helping Parents Make Decisions…

I will say this resonated on many levels as we work with families all the time. Interesting tips…

Posted in education | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on NYTimes: Helping Parents Make Decisions…

50 Books to Read before Age 12

So many of these staple read alouds at Seven HIlls… https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/50-books-all-kids-should-read-before-theyre-12

Posted in education | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on 50 Books to Read before Age 12

Children want to be seen as the most special by their parents, so they’re “always going to push for preferential treatment,” over their siblings, Vivona said.  Having grown up with four younger brothers, I see this as underlining some universal … Continue reading

Posted in education | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on