Archive for March 2015
What Goes On in the ADHD Brain?
This was a question I’ve asked myself many times. My wife and both of my kids have ADHD, but I do not. This was problematic, because… I didn’t understand why I had to ask my son repeatedly to perform simple tasks like put his toys away, brush his teeth, or put his clothes on. At…
Read MoreHow Special Education Students Can Come Out Ahead of General Education Students
Stop. Answer these questions: In 1970, what percentage of jobs in the marketplace required a 4-year college degree? Today, what percentage of jobs in the marketplace require a 4-year college degree? Here’s your answer… Notice the percentage of jobs requiring a 4-year degree has not changed. How can this be? Professional careers (e.g. doctor, lawyer,…
Read MoreAre You Broken? New York Educator Admits to Her Students, “I Didn’t Feel Like I Mattered.”
I’m sure you have heard the story of Principal Lopez from Mott Hall Bridges Academy in Brooklyn, NY. If you haven’t, check out the quick clip from The Ellen Show below: Ellen speaks with Principal Lopez and Vidal Principal Lopez was broken. She was ready to put in her resignation and stated how many educators…
Read MoreThe Simplest Approach to Learning Study Skills
In medicine, doctors will prescribe the minimum effective dose. Meaning, you want to cure the illness but minimize the side effects. Learning is no different. When learning new materials, we want to use the strategies that are most effective, with the least amount of side effects, (time, energy, stress/anxiety). Graphic organizers can be good tools…
Read MoreWorking in Pairs; the Most Powerful Productivity Tool Ever!
I shared before that I hit a patch of serious “burn-out” last summer. Writing became paralyzing; it was a miserable process. As a result, Brian (president of SOAR® and my husband) began to write the weekly newsletter. Soon, Jessie, our summer intern, jumped in to help him. They did a great job, but they too,…
Read MoreWhat Students and Employers Both Need
Kevin and I are both college seniors at Michigan State University. Every year there are two giant career fairs, with over 200 companies. The crazy part is, every year the companies are the same. Year after year, big companies such as Ford, Chrysler, BP, and PepsiCo come to MSU—and every other university— hiring hundreds of…
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