Think about something that you love to do! Perhaps it is reading a good book, playing a video game, being in nature, spending time with your family, or eating a decadent chocolate treat. Does anyone need to give you a sticker, pay you some money, or give you an award for doing what you love […]

Are you an educator who is experiencing initiative fatigue in addition to compassion fatigue?  Are you looking for professional learning that can also uplift your spirits? There is HOPE! The Virtues Project is a restorative practices framework which addresses the needs of the Whole Child/Whole Adult.  It has SEL and character development as its foundation […]

In light of the tragic school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, I was inspired to share this talk by the co-founder of The Virtues Project, Linda Kavelin Popov, as a peaceful solution.  This talk describes how to create safe and caring schools by using the 5 Strategies of The Virtues Project, a global […]

This work is personal.  If we can give ourselves the gift of being present and the ability to respond rather than react, this is one of main strategies we can use to de-escalate students and create a calm peaceful classroom environment. What the research is showing is that mindfulness is one strategy that can be […]

I was so inspired by a post written by Jeff Hogan, one of the principals I have the honor of working with in Baltimore County Public Schools, that I asked him if I could re-post it on my blog. Being a generous and enthusiastic servant leader, of course he said, “Yes.”  It has been powerful […]

Did you ever wonder how to describe/define the different nuances when comparing virtues such as kindness, caring, compassion, empathy and friendliness or how about determination, steadfastness, strength, perseverance and resilience?  Well wonder no more! My dear friend, Scott Feraco, founder and creative director for The “V” Channel has shared the definition of 52 of the […]

As this new school year begins, I have been discerning resources I can share that will empower you to get started with circles, that include not only sample circle questions, but also the “what”, “why” and “how”.  “Teaching Restorative Practices with Classroom Circles“, by Amos Clifford, developed for San Francisco Unified School District, I feel […]

Wow, it is hard to believe that  just a week ago I had the joy and honor of being in New Zealand for the regional Virtues Project Mentorship, sharing Jack Canfield’s Success Principles, teaching about Restorative Practices, facilitating A Pace of Grace Retreat for our Japanese Facilitators and then going to Tasmania to facilitate a […]

Over the past several years I have had the honor of working with thousands of committed educators from all around the world!  I have learned a great deal from these educators, as well as their students! As a result, I have developed a protocol in response to a scenario that I have found comes up […]