3 Ways to Support Your School Vendors During the COVID Crisis Having visited over 1,000 schools, I have come to realize that school culture is about everyone - students, parents, staff members, and community stakeholders - all working together to support the overall...

Maslow First, Then Blooms I had a student. He transferred in mid-year. His file was thick. He came in ready for a battle. He came in knowing that school wasn’t for him. At first glance, he was what you would expect, tattered clothes, dirty, distant. He walked with a...

3 Ways to Support Your School Community During Uncertain Times According to my father, there is no coincidence that his blood type is “Be Positive” (B+).  He is probably the most positive person I have ever known. He can find a silver lining in almost any...

3 Things to Know BEFORE You Book Your Fall Assembly 2020 is in full swing and here at TEEN TRUTH, we’re already on track to have one of our best years ever! We’re all thrilled to be able to help schools learn how to build school culture, how to create resilient...

Creating a Motivating Culture of Respect is as Easy as ABC Many educators are looking for ways to support students and build relationships that foster high levels of student learning.  Some have even studied the concept of the ABC’s and how Autonomy, Belonging...

The Best Way to Build Relationships on Campus When I was in grad school for professional counseling, I had the opportunity to intern under Dr. David Ferguson. In that internship, he taught me the single most powerful way to develop healthy relationships. It quickly...

4 Ways to Help Teachers Inspire Students I believe in educators. I believe in their power to impact students not only in learning content but also in their attitudes about themselves as learners. Inspired educators produce inspired learners. We are inspired when who...

2019 Has Been An Amazing Year We are on the road finishing our last few assemblies, summits, and trainings, and you know what? I think you and I need to pat ourselves on the back a little! I've been working in schools since 2006, and I can honestly say that 2019 is...

How to Inspire Passionate Learning A Kind Word is Never Wasted: a plaque with these words has always hung above the door of my classroom.   I believe it to my core, but today I learned that there is science behind the phrase.  Today I watched a presentation by...

3 Ways to Boost the Spirit of Giving on Campus We are now in the midst of the holiday season. Parties, decorations, sweet treats, and of course the most important thing GIFTS.  Adults are dashing around town trying to find the perfect gift for everyone on their list...

The Power of Being “Seen” on Campus My daughter is a young cyclist.  She first started racing as a mini miss on a little strider bike with no pedals.  She would ride around the grass as her daddy would compete in bike races. Now that she is older, she is able to...

3 Simple Ways to Cultivate a Culture of Gratitude After 16 years in education I can honestly say that November is my favorite month.  It’s not because the weather is perfect, that I made it through the first few months of school alive, or even that winter break is...

3 Strategies to Help Stop Teen Suicide The first time I contemplated suicide was in 2004. I was 29 years old. My first marriage had crumbled. I was extremely embarrassed by such a public failure. I felt like I had nothing left to live for. If you’ve read my book,...

3 Ways to Help Students Define Themselves Here is a true and personal story about my life.  As a kiddo, I LOVED school. It was a safe, stress free place where I found a sense of community.  I was successful at school and it made sense to me. I was outgoing and...

3 Strategies for Developing a Suicide Awareness Program This past week I spoke with a mother who had lost her son to a completed suicide the week before.  Her main reason for calling me was to share names of her son’s closest friends that attended his vigil and were...