The beginning of a new school year often brings excitement, fresh energy, and momentum. But as September and October roll around, that initial enthusiasm can start to fade, leaving school leaders feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and wondering why everything suddenly feels harder. In this special preview episode, I share clips from my Flip the Fall Dip 2026 series, exploring the highs and lows of school culture and the emotional energy that shapes our experience as leaders. I discuss why the shif

How to Teach Questioning in First Grade | Writing About Reading Series Are your first graders full of questions? Let's put that natural curiosity to work during reading! In this episode of The Education Connection, Robin Wilson from First Grade Love shares simple, practical ways to teach questioning as a reading comprehension strategy in kindergarten, first grade, and second grade. Discover how to help students ask meaningful questions before, during, and after reading—and how to turn those qu

In this episode of The Education Connection, we're wrapping up our three-part series on making connections with text-to-world connections! Discover simple ways to help first graders connect what they're reading to the world around them through seasons, holidays, community events, and everyday experiences. I'll share picture book recommendations, a simple anchor chart idea, and practical ways to turn reading connections into meaningful drawing and writing activities. Remember, if they can say

Meet Mildre Feliz Brunot-- co-founder & managing director of EtPic Wear Brand, a sportswear brand with island style...As the EpTic website says: "blending island style with performance to create sportswear." Mildre is a former track-and-field champion from Azua, Dominican Republic. Mildre spent a decade competing, collecting medals across national competitions, and struggling to access quality running shoes. That frustration stayed with her long after she hung up her spikes. Her Business Adminis

School leaders are surrounded by data every day. From attendance and academics to behavior and surveys, there is no shortage of information available to guide decisions. But what if the most important data is the information we receive from within ourselves? In this episode, I explore internal data and why understanding your own thoughts, beliefs, emotions, values, and intuition is essential for effective leadership. We often focus so much on external data that we overlook the internal guidance

Pumped to join the incredible team from the 2026 Fall Wide Open Spaces today, Monday, 10/12/26, at 12:10 pm PT/3:10 EST. We'll talk with amazing friends, leaders, and educators from WOS: the WOS creator/organizer, Dr. Eric Nichols; Dr. Casey Hallgarth, Superintendent @ Baker Schools; / casey-hallgarth Kevin Spainhour- 1st-time presenter at WOS, my very close friend/college roommate & my co-author of https://bit.ly/Dadsbook, https://kspainhour.com/and Jessica Cabeen--author, presenter, leader & m