Why Can’t School be More Like Camp?
Originally written in 2012, but still as heartfelt today. For more information about the work I’m doing to help educators make school more like camp, visit my speaking page or GATA (Gold Arrow Teacher Academy). Why can’t school be more like camp? Yesterday, my fourth grade son came home from school downcast. It’s his third…
READ MORE
10 Fun Ways Teachers Can Help Kids Connect with Other Kids
2020 Update: Educators who are interested in access to my ongoing webinars, chats, and resources related to creating connection, celebrating strengths, and cultivating character in students, check out GATA (Gold Arrow Teacher Academy) for community, support, and resources! September, 2017 My oldest daughter started her first teaching job about a month ago. She’s teaching high…
READ MORE
Activities to Foster Online Classroom Connections (Free Webinar Replay & PDF Download)
Thank You! Thank you for joining us for our very first Gold Arrow Teacher Academy (GATA) webinar! Our team leaders, Andy and Audrey, enjoyed sharing some kid-tested activities that will help get your classroom off to a great start! As you embark on a new school year, our GATA team is ready to help you create…
READ MORE
Advice & Encouragement from Experienced Homeschool Parent Kate Rader
While many schools are struggling to figure out how (and how often) to offer virtual classes, kids have more free time now that both school and extracurricular activities are cancelled. And they’re home with us all the time. In Sara’s and my conversation with experienced homeschool parent, Kate Rader, she shared some encouragement and resources.…
READ MORE
10 Ways to Create a Happy & Connected Class
Part of the “magic” of camp is that from the first moment, we focus on building relationships and getting our cabin groups connected. We train our counselors to help kids develop social skills so they can form friendships and feel a bond with their peers. The minute kids arrive at camp (or get on the…
READ MORE
Final Conversations Before College
Today I traveled 2,326 miles to drop off my youngest daughter for her freshman year of college. After a few days helping her get settled and procuring a mattress pad, a desk lamp, and other dorm-room necessities, I’ll get on a plane and return home, leaving her here, 2,326 miles away from me. Perhaps you can…
READ MORE
Who’s Not Ready for College?
This is the text message I sent to two friends last week who were dropping their children off at colleges on the other side of the country: “When can we have our first MMD/MMS (mothers missing daughters/mothers missing sons) meeting? For both of them, this is their first child to leave home to go away…
READ MORE
4 Ways to Make School more like CAMP
My dream is for my kids to attend a school they love as much as they love camp. Two years ago, when my son started at a new school and was having a difficult time, I wrote Why Can’t School be More Like Camp?, and that quote was how my post started. I went on to share some…
READ MORE
Grit, Goals, and Growth
Gold Arrow Camp has taught me to be brave and reach my goals. If it wasn’t for GAC, I wouldn’t be nearly as courageous as I am now. Remi Grit Grit has become the new buzz word in education and parenting thanks to Paul Tough’s best-selling book, How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden…
READ MORE
Book Review: How Children Succeed
“We think that even if your children have the academic skills they need – and we’re doing our best to make sure they do – if our young adults grow up and they don’t also have strong character skills, then they don’t have very much. Because we know that character is what keeps people happy…
READ MORE