Ep. 38: Start the Year off Strong. Lean into who you are

How we start the year will set the tone for the year. In this episode, Brian and Kasey share some of their strategies for starting the year of strong with intentionality and authenticity. Light up the room: Be optimistic, lean into who you are, and shape the narrative. Make the intangible, tangible: Help staff and students remember Why we are here and what we're about. Make people feel at home: Give voice, give food. Wrestle with the question, "How are we going to resolve conflict?" Provide clarity of what to expect for the year. Start a habit that creates a healthy mindset: What is your dream? References: The Alchemist: “Everyone, when they are young, knows what their Personal Legend is. At that point in their lives, everything is clear and everything is possible. They are not afraid to dream, and to yearn for everything they would like to see happen to them in their lives.” “When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better, too."  Shakespeare's ⁠Folly of Youth: "Folly rode wildly on tiger of youth,Howled like a wolf at now waning moon . . . Martin Luther King: "Tell them about the Dream, Martin." There is a fantastic episode on Hidden Brain that walks through this story. Show Sponsors: Schurtz and Ties is sponsored by PeerDrivenPD, a teacher training platform that brings "candid conversations from some of the best classroom educators in the country." You can "get your training directly from the teachers in the trenches as current classroom teachers guide your professional learning with authentic insights and practical strategies you can try immediately." Check out ⁠⁠PeerDrivenPD.com⁠⁠ for more information and mention Schurtz and Ties and get 10% off any purchase for one year! ⁠TeachBetter.com⁠: "The Teach Better Podcast Network is dedicated to supporting the entire school ecosystem through in-depth conversations around topics you care about. Covering a variety of areas in education, each podcast aims to support educators in the field toward creating and maintaining a progressive, student-focused classroom." Please reach out and let us know your thoughts, share a topic, and let us know what you think! X (Twitter): SchurtzandTies Gmail: [email protected] #DoGreatThings and #KeepKnocking Thank you Karl DeCock for creating the cover art!