Emotions and learning are inseparable. Positive emotions generated as students and teachers begin their shared learning experiences can shape the learning days that follow. Steve shares how “wow” experiences can tap the desired emotions along with examples from teachers. Subscribe to the Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud podcast on iTunes or visit BarkleyPD.com to find […]

It’s that time of year again when my schedule often contains “opening day” presentations, end of summer professional development events or planning sessions for administrators and/or teachers. One of the discussions I try to facilitate explores what messages educators want to communicate to students and/or teachers concerning environment and relationships. I believe that consciously deciding […]

The title of an article, The difference between engagement and motivation matters. Here’s why, caught my attention. Author and consultant, Susan Fowler describes employee work passion (EWP).  EWP, employee work passion, is a persistent, emotionally positive, meaning-based state of well-being stemming from reoccurring cognitive and emotional appraisals of various job and organizational situations that result […]

It’s that time of year again when my schedule often contains “opening day” presentations. Sometimes I’m part of an end of summer professional development event or part of a getting started session for administrators or teachers. In any case, one of the discussions I try to facilitate explores what messages educators want to communicate to […]

My introduction  to Wow! occurred many years ago when reading Tom Peters’ book the Pursuit of Wow. Peters extolled that in the face of ever increasing competition,  businesses needed to create a way to stand out from the crowd; to cause your customers to say Wow! It can be as simple as handing me a hot […]

 It turns out creativity is contagious. At least it is at Everett School District in South Central Pennsylvania where one creative idea grew to encompass the entire community. Like many schools last year, Everett was struggling with budget cuts. Two of their four elementary schools were closed. Morale was low. Parent involvement was slim. Teachers […]