We all know how important creating a sense of belonging is for the classroom and within our schools. I'm in the process of writing a new book called, The Belonging Blueprint, which will discuss and share critical frameworks, research, and actionable strategies for building strong cultures of belonging in our schools. In the meantime, I … Continue reading 25 Favourite Morale Boosters for the Classroom!
Marble-Jar Trust (Brené Brown)
When starting up the year, I often refer to Dr. Brené Brown's brilliant concept of the Marble Jar. Imagine that the trust in each of the relationships in your life is represented by a marble jar. At it's core, Brené (yes, like most humans my age, I would like to imagine that we are on a first-name … Continue reading Marble-Jar Trust (Brené Brown)
Belonging Starts with a Smile
Belonging It turns out that belonging is a greater predictor of life-expectancy, well-being, happiness, and fulfillment than heart health, poverty, smoking, or obesity. We can all affect the environments in which we live through our actions, because of the contagiousness of our behaviour. Due to our nature as community-seeking beings, we were wired to seek … Continue reading Belonging Starts with a Smile
The 25 Beliefs I Once Held to be True…but Don’t Anymore
Like everyone else I know, I have a million-and-one things I should be doing instead of writing this post right now, but that tiny fleeting voice of inspiration came knocking and tugged on my shirtsleeve. So, while the kids were napping, I did what any self-respecting mom on a ‘nap-break’ with mountains of laundry, tons … Continue reading The 25 Beliefs I Once Held to be True…but Don’t Anymore
How Empathy Leads the Way for the Transformation from Victimization to Resiliency
Just this morning, I had a realization that stopped me in my tracks. It was one of those “Aha” Oprah-moments that sent a jolt of electric energy from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. It’s a very simple concept, but it’s caused a dramatic paradigm shift in the way I … Continue reading How Empathy Leads the Way for the Transformation from Victimization to Resiliency
Tantrums, Toddlers, Torrential Rain: How One Mom’s Decision Paid-it-Forward
Just the other day, as the children in my household pressed pause on their play to catch up on some much-needed rest, I rested an elbow on the smooth surface of the kitchen table, my hand cupping the ceramic promise of wakefulness. I inhaled the delicious moment of silence for a few extra seconds before … Continue reading Tantrums, Toddlers, Torrential Rain: How One Mom’s Decision Paid-it-Forward
The Unexpected Detour That Landed Me Exactly Where I Was Supposed to Be
Last week, I experienced an unbelievable moment that will stay in my heart forever. Dampness permeated the air that morning. As I hurried out the front door of my house and onto the driveway, I felt the impact of a big, fat raindrop on my forehead. The cold licked at the back of my throat … Continue reading The Unexpected Detour That Landed Me Exactly Where I Was Supposed to Be
Handfuls of Hope
“Why would God make me this way?” he threw his hands up exasperated, standing in the middle of the grocery aisle as she stood beside him. My 84-year-old friend, Kate, a devout Christian, had spotted Sam immediately upon entering the grocery store that day, hunched over as he squinted at the ingredients on a box … Continue reading Handfuls of Hope
Giving Thanks for An Unexpected Encounter
“What beautiful blue eyes!” her voice broke through my thoughts as I waited, admittedly impatient for the sign to invite us to cross the busy road. It was the Saturday of a hectic Thanksgiving weekend, we were set to catch the next ferry to our favourite gulf island, and I had just raced into a … Continue reading Giving Thanks for An Unexpected Encounter
Morgane Michael 