Sometimes all it takes to change the entire story of a child’s life is one person—one steady, kind, compassionate adult who sees them, believes in them, and never gives up. One person can be the difference between feeling invisible and knowing they matter.

Self-care isn’t selfish—it’s survival. For those in education who pour their hearts into others every day, rest isn’t a reward—it’s a requirement. You can’t light the way for your students if your own flame has burned out. Prioritize yourself with the same compassion you give so freely to others.

In our schools, the true measure of success isn’t just grades or test scores—it’s kindness in the hallway, compassion on the playground, effort when things get hard, and integrity when no one is watching. These are the lessons that shape character, build community, and change lives

Little wins with little people are actually big. When we pause to celebrate them, we give a child the confidence to keep trying, the courage to keep going, the belief that they matter—and the reminder that they can do hard things.

“Celebrating even the smallest wins with students tells them, ‘You matter. Your effort matters.’ These moments build momentum, strengthen confidence, and help every child see their own potential.”

When someone is stuck in panic mode, what they need most isn’t more noise or pressure—it’s calm. Just being quiet, steady, and kind can help them feel safe again. Your calm can help them breathe, slow down, and come back to themselves. Never underestimate the power of your peaceful presence.

I have added some dates for in person professional development for schools, districts and Universities for the 25-26 school year. Please reach out to discuss. Trainings include: -Trauma -Challenging Behaviors -Mental Health -Problem Solving -Self-Care #maslowbeforebloom

A child carries pieces of every educator who believed in them—because we are not just teaching lessons, we are shaping lives.

When a student is on the verge of turning from Bruce Banner into the Hulk, they don’t need a lecture—they need calm, quiet, and a little time to come back down. #maslowbeforebloom

I’m blown away — the new Maslow book is now ranked #7,496 on Amazon, which means it’s in the top 0.1% of all books currently selling. Thank you for reading, sharing, and supporting this journey! a.co/d/8XeDdSD

My wish for this school year is simple but powerful: that every student and staff member feels safe, supported, connected, and inspired to grow and learn together. #maslowbeforebloom

Connection opens the door to cognition.

Focus On The Cause Instead Of The Effect: When looking at a student who is exhibiting challenging behaviors, we often focus solely on the effect it manifests. We need to dig deeper to uncover the cause. If we address the root cause, we can nurture growth & pave the path to positive transformation.

I would love to come to your school! I have a few openings left for back to school and Fall keynotes and professional development. These include: trauma, challenging behaviors, mental health, problem solving & self-care. DM me or send me an email if interested: [email protected]

Start with Maslow to meet their needs, move to Bloom to grow their minds, add Gardner to find their strengths, invite Jung to discover their meaning, and use Goleman to guide their hearts—this is how we educate the whole child.

Maslow before Bloom is a great start—meeting basic needs before academics. But to truly reach every child, we must also bring in Gardner’s strengths, Jung’s search for meaning, and Goleman’s emotional intelligence. Together, they help us teach the whole child, not just the student. a.co/d/dR30BKf

When we’re stressed, anxious, or afraid, our ability to communicate clearly often shuts down, not because we don’t care, but because our nervous system is in survival mode. In those moments, it’s not about being heard… it’s about feeling safe enough to speak.

What an honor to be number 2 behind one of the best books I’ve ever read!

Name someone like this…

“When we look at students through the lens of Maslow before Bloom—then Gardner, Jung, and Goleman—we stop asking only ‘What can they achieve?’ and start asking ‘What do they need, how do they shine, who are they becoming, and how can they connect?’ True education meets the whole child.

To truly reach and teach a student, we must meet their needs (Maslow), ignite their curiosity (Bloom), honor their unique strengths (Gardner), help them discover who they are (Jung), and teach them how to connect and care (Goleman). It’s not just about learning—it’s about becoming.

Have you ordered your copy yet? I can’t wait to hear your thoughts. www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0FF...

Get your copy today! www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0FF...

We talk about caring for students, but we must remember that the adults need care too. Teachers, staff & leaders are human. They get tired. They feel stress. They carry trauma. They experience compassion fatigue. Supporting students starts with supporting the people who show up for them every day.

Once you truly see a student—not for their behavior, but for their story—you’ll never see them the same way again. Facebook.com/groups/maslowbeforebloom

What if we didn’t stop at Maslow before Bloom? Imagine education rooted in safety & belonging (Maslow), enriched by individual strengths (Gardner), deepened by meaning & self-awareness (Jung), & elevated by emotional intelligence (Goleman). That’s how we educate the whole child. Coming 7-11-25!

Which do you choose?

I will be touring later this Summer/Fall in support of the new book. I would love to come to your school, district or organization for a keynote/professional development. Message me for more information..

To truly help students thrive, we must lead with compassion, teach with empathy, and support not only every child—but every adult who walks into our schools each day. A strong school is built on relationships, trust, and a deep commitment to one another’s well-being.

Had a great time working with the Cullman County School District Administrators in Alabama this morning. What an amazing and talented group of leaders!