Carpets are cleaned, desks are meticulously polished, pencils are sharpened, and lockers (cubbies) are vacant, waiting to be filled with a backpack full of contents. The above imagery is symbolic of a new school year, but for countless students throughout the country, this symbolism is no longer relevant. Classrooms containing desks, pencil sharpeners, and backpacks…
Think back to the last time you had an eye exam. Aside from the preliminary tests, the bulk of the exam time was spent trying to find the ideal lenses (contacts or glasses) for your eyes. While you sat in the chair, the doctor manipulated the lenses, then asked repeatedly, “Which one is better –…
When I look back on my years as a young athlete, there are two distinct types of memories that come to mind. First are the memories of my teammates and the life-long friendships I now have as a result of the comradery we developed in the trenches. Second are the memories of my coaches. The…
Did you know that a staggering percentage of teenagers are currently taking anti-depressant and/or anti-anxiety medication? Did you know that teenage suicide rates are at an all-time high? See last week’s blog. Did you know that more and more teens are resorting to drugs and alcohol as a primary coping mechanism, desperately trying to escape…
As nationwide incidences of teenage suicide continue to rise, districts are slowly acknowledging the urgent need for SEL (social and emotional learning). While schools have historically paid lip service to a whole child educational approach, the time has come for mere words from lips to become boots in the trenches, advocating and fighting for the mental…
What do you think of when you hear the word brand? If you’re like me, your mind may drift to a favorite brand of clothing, a preferred choice of cell phone, or the brand name of a recent car you purchased. It doesn’t take long to realize that our daily purchases are greatly influenced by…
I recently had the great pleasure of talking with Nathan Braaten. A collegiate soccer player and the co-founder of the #DamWorthIt campaign at my alma mater, Oregon State University, Nathan is on a mission. A mission to destigmatize mental illness and to provide mental health resources for student athletes throughout the country. Click here to…
As a former classroom teacher, I know first-hand the incredible honor and privilege it is to shape the hearts and minds of students. There are few professions that rival the selflessness of teaching. Each day, they walk into their classrooms with one purpose in mind – to serve their students. Sadly, a teacher’s effectiveness is…
When we hear the word mask, it’s natural to think of the countless masks people wear on Halloween. Masks that conceal the human face and lead to intrigue and curiosity on the part of the observer. “Who’s behind the mask?” is an inherent question we might ask when we first lay eyes on someone who’s…
If you’ve ever watched a sporting event, you’ve likely seen an athlete in physical pain. Whether it’s a mild ankle sprain or a severe concussion, it’s fairly obvious when an athlete is hurting. Although some can tolerate freakish levels of pain, the majority will exhibit one of the many tell-tale signs of an injury (e.g.…
