Category Archives: Family

Good Inside the Classroom

Dr. Becky Kennedy’s “Good Inside” is written for parents, but I couldn’t stop thinking about how relevant it is to the work we do with teenagers in schools. The core idea is simple, yet powerful: people (including children and teenagers) are inherently good. Even when they mess up. Even when they push back. Even when theyContinue reading “Good Inside the Classroom”

The Teenage Brain – Under Construction

I just finished The Teenage Brain by Dr. Frances E. Jensen, and if you’re raising or working with teenagers, it’s one of those books that helps everything make a little more sense. Jensen is a neuroscientist and the mother of two teenage boys. Her book combines the science of adolescent brain development with the livedContinue reading “The Teenage Brain – Under Construction”

Slowing Down on Purpose

A teacher friend recently let me borrow a copy of The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer, and it’s one of those books that calls for some action. The message is deceptively simple: hurry is not just a scheduling problem. It’s a spiritual one. And it’s hurting us more than we realize. WeContinue reading “Slowing Down on Purpose”

Thank you, Del Oro… and Goodbye for now

I met Morgan (now my wife of almost 18 years) at Cal Poly.  She had just graduated high school and as we were getting to know each other, she would often tell these fond stories of what seemed to me like a mythical place.  She claimed to have gone to a high school where studentsContinue reading “Thank you, Del Oro… and Goodbye for now”

Understanding vs. Appreciating

I read a case study this week that ended up leading to some great discussion with a few colleagues. The study told the story of a 13 year old Vietnamese boy named Khoi who had lived with his mother in Seattle for the last 8 months. Khoi was suspended from school for 5 days forContinue reading “Understanding vs. Appreciating”

The Engagement Continuum

The focus this week has been on engaging parents and families.  Part of the conversation that has been sticking with me is the distinction between parent participation, parent involvement and parent engagement.  When you think about the words participation, involvement, and engagement as they relate to relationships, they have a very different connotation.  I don’tContinue reading “The Engagement Continuum”

Ice Cream Before School

It started when I was 4 years old.  My parents would take my sister and me out for ice cream the day before school started.  We’d go to an ice cream shop called Swanson’s.  I’d look over all of the flavors pretending to have a difficult time making a decision (Everyone in my family knewContinue reading “Ice Cream Before School”

Swimmers, you’re being watched

My two oldest kids swim for the Loomis Basin Dolphins.  Since I wasn’t a swimmer growing up it has taken me a while to learn the ins and outs of how this whole swim team thing works.  It’s a whole different culture with its own unique language and norms.  This year though. I’m fully in. Continue reading “Swimmers, you’re being watched”

I can only hold 5 acorns

Bracken and Carson were practicing soccer, Cormick was climbing around on the playground, and Anders was contemplating life, limitations and priorities under the oak trees. I stood and watched our 18 month old gathering acorns for about 30 minutes.  His process was simple at first.  He crouched down and used both of his little handsContinue reading “I can only hold 5 acorns”