Label it however you like therapy,comfort or support a ‘school dog’ is a great addition to any educational setting. But then again I like dogs. The school dog has no hierarchal bias,doesn’t discriminate,is flexible,has time and listens well. Each a valuable attribute. What I’ve come to realize is...
What if your guest speaker spoke with you-not to you? What if their storytelling ability allowed you to freely share yours? What if the room was full of conversations and you could access the best bits-meaning everyone present had an opportunity to genuinely communicate and build stronger...
“More than just words” *CONVERSATION / guest speaking NOTES including resources (links) communicate verb (SHARE INFORMATION) -to share information with others by speaking, writing, moving your body, or using other signals The way in which we communicate always counts-as does it’s accuracy,clarity and sincerity.Communication underpins trust,respect and loyalty.Compassion and forgiveness rely...
Kendrick Lamar’s new album - Mr Morale and The Big Steppers Listen here …should act as a starting point for those wanting to appreciate young people-their state.And the state of the world around them.The fact that ‘you’ don’t know who Kendrick Lamar is or ‘like that...
As adults we ask young people to pay attention, key in and focus. Concentrate- upon conversation in the classroom,when using tools in a workshop and particularly behind the wheel of a car. “Concentrate or kill” was just one of many provocative strap-lines targeting drivers (full) attention...
Hardly. The stars have long since lost their luster and the stripes no longer run true.America where paper tigers chase paper at the expense of effective politics and the people they are elected to serve.America shouldn’t serve as anyone’s global barometer. Pointed homelessness. Systemic racism. Cultural manipulation. Economic incarceration. And...
Stepping into a foreign environment and creating instant connection with a unique audience is but one of the many challenges faced by a guest speaker. Or at least a good one. Said environment has to be massaged into a space in which the audience can appreciate intimacy...
The ‘idea’ of a guest speaker is wrong.Flat out wrong.You don’t need a guest speaker.You need a guest listener. Questioner. Sharer. You need someone who can read the room.Create an atmosphere.Be themselves-vulnerable.And connect. All easier said than done. But never more necessary than now-after what we’ve all been through...
Edgey. My results however speak for themselves. Young people appreciate the opportunity to be spoken with not too. Whilst staff appreciate the expert skill sets of a highly experienced educator capable of reading a room and creating an atmosphere that allows for ‘real talk’.You won’t...
They present with color and flare that can raise eyebrows. They often choose to push back against authority which can lower eyebrows. And they can be corralled by “general rules”-or labels. They are often called lazy. Disengaged. Apathetic. They’re resilience is questioned. As is their ability to...