The Aspen Institute’s Post

In case you missed my conversation with Dan Porterfield, President and CEO of The Aspen Institute, or if you want to hear it again! #growthmindset #highered #mindsetmatters #podcast #trendingined

If you’ve been following me here for awhile, you’ve likely heard me tell my students (or clients or you) to “Embrace THIS Moment!”. It's one of the fundamental principles at the core of what I teach. And I believe it's the real key to performance, growth, and true freedom. Now, I’m excited to announce that it will be the topic of the NEXT Six-Week Study Group for The Mindful Athlete Course, which will begin on Tuesday, April 2. We’ll work on HOW you can embrace this moment, regardless of what’s happening. Only when we do that and begin to say “Yes!” to the present moment can we find peace in it, and then generate hope, setting up the next moment. And we’ll answer questions like: “How does it tie-in with our ability to perform better in any area of life, which is why I’m guessing that you’re here?" This concept has been the framework for every one of the nearly 200 "At Home with George" episodes I produce each week on my YouTube channel. And now, I’m looking forward to exploring this concept in-depth in the next 6-Week Study Group for my signature course! If you've ever considered going deeper into my work or joining my growing online community, this is the time! For more information or to register: https://lnkd.in/dnbDc54 #embracethismoment #embracethemoment #sayyestowhatshappening #generatehope #onlinecommunity #GeorgeMumford #mindfulathletecourse #TMAC

5 Strategies to Boost Student Engagement This School Year 1. Campaign for relationships “Every day, for 10 days, engage in a two-minute conversation with that student — in the hallway, during lunch, or in the bus line. Just don't talk about school. Find out about their interests and let them learn a bit about you.” 2. Build in fellowship “When students learn from and with one another, they engage not only with the content and their work but also with each other in ways that foster trust, independence, belonging and solidarity.” 3. Solve Real Problems “When students are trusted and empowered to help solve the very real problems they face every day, motivation skyrockets,” Whether it’s starting a community recycling program or working with peers around the globe on one of the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals, “students are eager to draw connections to purpose, to the planet and to people on a very human level.” 4. Ignite rich conversations In the Witsby course, Total Participation Techniques, Pérsida Himmele and William Himmele explain that the key to engagement is involving students in their learning journey. Dynamic strategies like think-pair-share, quick writes, and chalkboard splash keep students actively involved. 5. 5. Encourage student storytelling When students have the chance to tell their own stories in the format that works best for them, they are naturally more motivated and engaged in content To book me to come speak to your students or your educators please visit www.kimberlycares.org

After two decades of research, I continue to be energized by generational discussions. This week I reached out to a gifted teacher, Naomi Kasa, Chair of Vanguard University of Southern California Department of #Communications. I asked her, "What is the most marked difference you see in how Gen Z learns?" Naomi's response: They learn non-sequentially. They’ve had their brains trained for byte sized pieces of information which means they struggle with the bigger picture and understanding how to link things together. So if you don’t present what you want them to learn in really structured ways—and even still when you do—they will check the boxes, but not be able to synthesize the learning, not on demand. Which, I think, is part of why class discussions are so difficult with them versus prior generations. That’s the downside of non-sequential thinking. The upside is that if you can equip them up front with good context and frameworks, they get to solutions faster because they do skip around. They have great potential to have new ideas and they see the world differently precisely because they don’t always assume that 2+2=4. My current teaching challenge is how to still scaffold and stair step things but give them room for discovery and less “organized” ways of thinking. And then assess that learning in “academy-approved” ways. This generation needs more time, more opportunities for “do-overs” and iterations, and more space to experiment and not fear failure. Probably all generations did, we just weren’t open to the conversation then. The classic academic assumptions around time per unit and grading are not conducive to these things. I’m not the only person struggling with that—lot of great guests on the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast are trying to rethink assessment/grading. #highereducation #pedagogy #teaching #classroom #collegestudents #learning #genz #assessment #grading #experimentation

🧠 Check out this webinar by Michelle Garcia Winner at Social Thinking - "Understanding Self-Regulation" We all understand the importance of self-regulation – that secret sauce for navigating life's twists and turns. But let's keep it real, guiding our students on this journey? It's a unique challenge. ✨ What's Worth Noting? Michelle takes us beyond the textbooks, delving into the art of self-regulation. It's not just about rules; it's about empowering our students to become their own superheroes in managing thoughts and emotions. 🚀 🔍 My Personal Takeaway: As a special education educator deeply passionate about neurodiversity, this webinar has been a treasure trove. It's not just theory; it's practical wisdom I integrate into my everyday teaching. Understanding self-regulation isn't just about fitting into our world; it's about giving our students the tools to shape their own. 💡 How to Join? Take a moment to explore the webinar. Trust me; it's a worthwhile journey. Let's gather tools that empower our students to be the best versions of themselves. 💬 Let's Share Experiences! Have you come across similar resources? Share your stories or drop any gems you've found helpful in the comments. Let's keep the conversation alive and build classrooms where our students aren't just learning – they're becoming self-regulation ninjas! 🌟💙 #NeurodiversityJourney #SelfRegulation #SocialThinking #InclusiveTeaching 💡📚

Bernard Franklin believes if you can get people to imagine their future, you can help them climb the ladder to that picture of success. This is the core focus of his presentation “Imagineering My Future.” If I can imagine my future, I am more likely to reach my future. This motivational presentation will inspire participants to SEE their future and move on it. This is at least a one day workshop or seminar for those who want to understand how they can increase student’s cognitive abilities around creativity and innovation. America is losing the creativity race to countries that encourage their students to think outside the box. This is an interactive workshop full of new ways of looking at teaching and learning. https://buff.ly/49bfXv4

Anyone else struggling with focus today? I started my morning watching a little bit of the UNSW video of Johann Hari talking about his book 'Stolen Focus'. Here are a few things I am applying today, that I thought I would share: FLOW IS GOOD! It is a state of optimal concentration and engagement with a task, where you lose track of time and feel fully immersed in what you are doing e.g. focused. So how do we get into flow? According to Csíkszentmihályi & Johann's research; 1. Choose one GOAL Deploy your focus deliberately in one & only one direction. 2. Make it MEANINGFUL. Do something you believe to have a clear & valuable purpose. 3. Find a SWEET SPOT Get out of your comfort zone, but not too much! Be challenged enough to be interested, but not so you feel overwhelmed or frustrated. Go FORTH and FLOW today. May the FOCUS be with you! #leadershipcoaching #leadershipcoach #careerdevelopment #careercoaching #careercoach

She wrote: “I just wanted to let you know that I followed the advice from the panel—to apply for grants even if you don’t think you’ll qualify. I received a small scholarship for my daughter to attend private school next year. Thank you so much!” I’m an education and strategy expert with 20+ years under my belt as a former teacher, charter school board member, school district administrator, researcher, evaluator, and consultant. I’ve served as a trusted strategist for executive education leaders and spoken at major education conferences and events across the U.S., in Sydney (see cover photo), and in London. You are the architect of your child’s education. But you are not an expert. That’s why you should work with one. Me. You only get one shot with your kid’s education timeline and trajectory. No do overs. No time outs. 𝗗𝗼 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗦𝗘𝗟𝗙 𝘂𝗽 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 so that you can set your child up for success. ✨ Here’s what this toddler mom did: She attended my Parent Roundtable Discussion + Q&A in December 2022. Mom came prepared with questions for the 4 speakers based on the preliminary strategy work we did. As a first-time parent, she knew she wanted to start planning early. After reflecting on Day 1 of our strategy session, she said that it was a lot more to think about than she initially anticipated. At the end of Day 3, she said she gained clarity about what’s important to her, why, and in order of priority. She implemented what she learned from our strategy sessions. She integrated that with the advice and insights she received from the roundtable in 2022. Then, at the beginning of this month (March 2024), she sent me that DM on TikTok. Get what you need, now. Don’t be misled to think that you have more time than you do. 𝗛𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵: Invest in creating the time and space to: • build your capacity • develop the right skills • anchor your goals • build your strategy • identify blind spots Our work together is designed for you to be increasingly and consistently 𝗦𝗨𝗥𝗘 about the decisions you make for your child’s education. You’re ready! Your kickoff call can be as early as next week. Details and enrollment link in the comments.

Embrace the spirit of new beginnings with the wisdom of The Learning Loop Allison Rodman, author of "Still Learning: Strengthening Professional and Organizational Capacity." She guides us through realigning education paths to combat burnout and stay true to our calling, blending personal growth with professional development. This episode promises to illuminate the congruence between our deepest purposes and everyday practices, a crucial harmony for educators striving to maintain their passion in adversity. Imagine a classroom where growth isn't solely for the students but equally for the teachers, where setting meaningful goals transforms not just individual educators but entire teams. Through a heartfelt discussion on collective efficacy and the transformative power of reflection, we uncover strategies to protect our time and encourage self-care, ensuring a balanced journey through the demanding world of education. "Filtering with fences" emerges as a method to preserve our dedication to the craft without compromising our well-being. Join us as we share resources and practices that enable us to "stand strong in the SEL light." Listen to the full episode now! https://lnkd.in/eY2KZQV9 #SEL #SELinEDU #socialemotionallearning 

#OPINION | A Millennial Lecturer in a GEN-Z Class – Episode 5 By Babajide Milton Macaulay, Ph.D., EMBA of Education Voices Network. In the ongoing series "A Millennial Lecturer in a GEN-Z Class," Babajide Macaulay shares poignant encounters highlighting the pivotal role of lecturers as first responders in students' lives. Through vivid narratives of student interactions, Macaulay illustrates the invaluable significance of educators as trusted confidants and mentors. From navigating delicate personal challenges to offering guidance on career decisions, these anecdotes underscore the profound impact of empathy and accessibility in fostering a supportive learning environment. As Macaulay advocates for lecturers to embrace their role as first responders in students' lives, he emphasizes the transformative power of emotional support in shaping academic outcomes and nurturing students' holistic development. With each episode, the series continues to resonate with educators and learners alike, inspiring reflection on the profound influence of educators in shaping the trajectory of students' lives. READ FULL ARTICLE, LINK BELOW 👇 https://lnkd.in/d7jPVanv Stay tuned for more insightful episodes in this captivating journey. #Education #StudentMentorship #Empathy #AcademicGuidance