Welcome back to another solo episode with you, me, and the mic. In this episode, I will discuss the outcome when we use these tools to connect the kids because there is no one way to build and sustain a relationship. How to use the cross-connecting model to make a difference and build a community in the classroom. Let’s jump into this episode and dig in more about cross-connecting and the outcome of the tools that we use to build connections with kids. Main Takeaways: What is the outcome when we use these tools to connect the kids? How to use the cross-connecting model to build a community. .Aspects to consider when choosing the activity. Be sure to check out the full show notes by clicking on the “Episode Website” below. Visit www.Rclfirst.com to join the Educator Circle Calls that happen three times a week! Want a FREE download of 25 GTKY questions? Visit www.rclfirst.com and sign up for our newsletter.

Welcome back to another solo episode with you, me, and the mic. In this episode, I will be talking about questions, specifically how we can question as tools to build and sustain relationships, especially with our students. Let’s jump into this episode and dig in more about questions and connections. Main Takeaways: Questions to start and answers to shape the conversations. Have the conversation shape around the right questions to find more similarities and build connections. Let the answer be genuine, real, and authentic by asking thought-provoking questions. Be sure to check out the full show notes by clicking on the “Episode Website” below. Visit www.Rclfirst.com to join the Educator Circle Calls that happen three times a week! Want a FREE download of 25 GTKY questions? Visit www.rclfirst.com and sign up for our newsletter.

Welcome back to another solo episode with you, me, and the mic. In this episode, I will be talking about the pathways of training, the concept of consequences with grace, and understanding that life is far from black and white. Let’s jump into this episode and dig in more about leading and responding with grace. Main Takeaways: The concept of ‘Gray is consequences with grace’ Experience accountability. Leading and responding with grace. Be sure to check out the full show notes by clicking on the “Episode Website” below. Visit www.Rclfirst.com to join the Educator Circle Calls that happen three times a week! Want a FREE download of 25 GTKY questions? Visit www.rclfirst.com and sign up for our newsletter

Welcome back to another solo episode, Mindset Monday, with you, me, and the mic. In this episode, I will be talking about the power of words, how it is affecting our expectations towards our students, and the understanding not to expect students to always be perfect. Let’s jump into this episode and dig in more about the power of words. Main Takeaways: Two completely different connotations and expectations between the word ‘students’ and ‘kids.’ The correlation between academics and how students behave. The grace and understanding that kids and even adults are going to make mistakes at some point. Be sure to check out the full show notes by clicking on the “Episode Website” below. Visit www.Rclfirst.com to join the Educator Circle Calls that happen three times a week! Want a FREE download of 25 GTKY questions? Visit www.rclfirst.com and sign up for our newsletter.

In this episode, I get to interview the superintendent of Westwood ISD, Wade Stanford. Wade is not just full of knowledge and experience but also vulnerable. We will be talking about so many twists and turns of the vulnerability, how he listens to other stakeholders and utilizes those processes not just with the staff but also with students Let’s dig in and learn more about his inspiring experience and how to lead with authenticity, transparency, and vulnerability. Main Takeaways: Building Genuine and Sustainable Connection Leadership with Authenticity, Transparency, and Inclusivity The Thought Exchange Be sure to check out the full show notes by clicking on the “Episode Website” below. Visit www.Rclfirst.com to join the Educator Circle Calls that happen three times a week! Want a FREE download of 25 GTKY questions? Visit www.rclfirst.com and sign up for our newsletter.

In this special episode, I interview my co-founder Denise "Circlemamma" Holliday, and I sit down for a special segment called Restorative Real Life Moments. Denise and I had a conversation about an incident where another dog attacked her dog in the neighborhood by her mom's house, and we started talking about how she reacted vs. responded. We also talked about what she needs to repair hard, what some of those conversations look like, how did she pause along the way to even get to the point where the story ended. We are trying to do this Restorative Real Life Moments as frequently as we can to share who we are as human beings and the work we are trying to do and how it’s working and transforming us, but yet we are still humans.Let’s dig in and learn more about reacting vs. responding.[00:01 – 11:14] Opening SegmentI share a brief introduction to today’s special segment.&nbsp;Restorative Real-Life Moments.Let’s welcome Denise "Circlemamma" Holiday to the show.&nbsp;Denise shares the 4 Fs and back story surrounding what happened to her and her dog-brother ‘Powder.’&nbsp;Denise talks about her reaction and responds when the incident occurred.The pause and moment of reflection when she got to the right state of mind.[11:15 – 24:10] Reacting Vs. RespondingWe can get it wrong all day long, and we make decisions based on emotions that we call reacting vs. responding.Reacting from an emotional space.It would be up to us to find out how to make it right.Denise talks about the transformation trigger to her thought pattern and process of realization.The pause of clarity and reflection moment.The absence of rational thinking.Denise shares how her neighbor responded that helped her to get into her rational thinking and empathy.Patient and empathy.[24:11 – 29:10] The Fix that Was NeededDenise shares about the fix and what needed to happen to make this right as possible.The plan of making sure it will never happen again.Denise talks about how her neighbor fixed the problem and stayed true to what he said he would do.We are all human; we do not have to be perfect and always be the right ones. But it’s about trying to make it right when the opportunity is there.[ 29:11 – 36:02] Closing SegmentDenise talks about the takeaways that she had grown and going from this event.I share my takeaways from the story.Self-growth and self-understanding.Responding more to things than react out of emotionFinal thoughts and words of adviceTweetable Quotes:“We can get it wrong all day long, and we make decisions based on emotions that we call reacting vs. responding.” – &nbsp;Denise "Circlemamma" Holliday.“We are all human; we do not have to be perfect and always be the right one. But it’s about trying to make it right when the opportunity is there.” –&nbsp; &nbsp;Denise "Circlemamma" Holliday.“I am going to live my best life when I can respond more to things than I react to them out of emotion.” – &nbsp;Denise "Circlemamma" Holliday.Connect with Denise via email to [email protected].&nbsp;Visit www.Rclfirst.com to join the Educator Circle Calls that happen three times a week!&nbsp;Join our Facebook Group for more stories and communication about our work.&nbsp;Want a FREE download of 25 GTKY questions? Visit<a...

Welcome back to another solo episode, Mindset Monday, with you, me, and the mic. Within the last few episodes, I realized that I continue to use the same phrase about actively listening to someone from their behavior towards us within the last few episodes. So in this episode, I will be talking about active listening and increasing the awareness of red flags. Let’s jump into this episode and dig in more about listening to someone’s behavior. Main Takeaways: Missing the red flags of a relationship in the way someone treats us. The importance of taking another perspective from a third party. The tendency to excuse and tolerate someone’s behavior because of your feelings, biases, or beliefs. Be sure to check out the full show notes by clicking on the “Episode Website” below. Visit www.Rclfirst.com to join the Educator Circle Calls that happen three times a week! Want a FREE download of 25 GTKY questions? Visit www.rclfirst.com and sign up for our newsletter

In this episode, I interview Veronica V. Sopher, the Chief Communications Officer of Fort Bend Independent School District. Veronica and I will be having a wonderful conversation about the art of communication, especially what leaders need to consider when they lead meetings and be in public or events. In addition, we also talk about what parents need to consider when communicating with the district, the power of social media, and many more. We will discuss not only the art of relationships but also the art of communication.&nbsp;Let’s dig in and learn more about becoming a better listener and connecting better across generations.[00:01 – 07:25] Opening SegmentLet’s welcome Veronica V. Sopher to the showThe Flip 5! We take turns asking five GTKY questions[07:26 – 20:57] The Power of Non-Verbal Communication&nbsp; and Social MediaVeronica shares a brief introduction about who she is and what is her current positionThe power and importance of Non-verbal communication&nbsp;Veronica talks about her experience in working on non-verbal communication with leadersThe face leakingThe role and guidance of dealing with Social Media for school leadersThe responsibility to engage folks in a positive wayVeronica talks about her experience in dealing with the breach of unwanted posts on the social media of educators or schoolsThe support of the other staff in protecting one anotherThe speed up communication on campus and a bigger reach because of social media[20:58 – 35:10] The Art of Communication&nbsp;Why sometimes kids have difficult times trusting adults today, compared to 20-30 years agoThe ability to quickly question their information and verify it themselves&nbsp;Veronica shares some tips to consider when communicating with the school district and wanting to know more informationVeronica talks about making your message so clear; it can not be misunderstoodHave the core at the coreRelationship and communicationVeronica shares her opinion on building a community that is filled with an honest, open flow of communication and grace[ 35:11 – 39:27] Closing SegmentVeronica shares her final words and a closing messageI share my takeaways from this interviewVeronica shares her experience in building trust and communication with the parentsFinal thoughts and words of adviceTweetable Quotes:“Non-verbal communication is probably more powerful than verbal communication.” – Veronica V. SopherThe district is starting to see how important communication is to the success of the district and the expectation of the parents.” –&nbsp; Veronica V. Sopher“Communication is part of building the relationship and the way to express it.” – Veronica V. SopherConnect with Veronica via email to [email protected].&nbsp;Visit www.Rclfirst.com to join the Educator Circle Calls that happen three times a week!&nbsp;Join our Facebook Group for more stories and communication about our work.&nbsp;Want a FREE download of 25 GTKY questions? Visit www.rclfirst.com and sign up for our newsletter!

In this episode, I get to interview Chris Pimpton. Chris has had 16 years in education and primarily dealing with attendance truancies and behavior. He is currently working as a behavior specialist and behavior interventionist at the White Settlement Independent School District in Texas. Today we will have a great conversation about listening and how not just to become a better listener but also when and how we should listen Let’s dig in and learn more about becoming a better listener and connecting better across generations. Main Takeaways: The relatability aspect with kids Becoming a better listener The lack of understanding between generations. Be sure to check out the full show notes by clicking on the “Episode Website” below. Visit www.Rclfirst.com to join the Educator Circle Calls that happen three times a week! Want a FREE download of 25 GTKY questions? Visit www.rclfirst.com and sign up for our newsletter

In this episode, I get to interview Ryan Brassel, the assistant principal of Horn Highschool Mesquite Independent School District. Ryan is entering his 20th year in education as the assistant principal in the secondary high school in northeast texas. He will share how he created a classroom space where teachers could feel safe to build and sustain relationships with kids, which he calls a connection center, and also the strategy to use a conversation before consequences with an apology letter to deal with conduct in consequences. Let’s dig in and learn more about the relationship-centered approach on the secondary level and the conversation before consequences. Main Takeaways: Relationship-centered Approach in the Secondary Level Creating the circle for change restorative practices. Conversation Before Consequences Be sure to check out the full show notes by clicking on the “Episode Website” below. Visit www.Rclfirst.com to join the Educator Circle Calls that happen three times a week! Want a FREE download of 25 GTKY questions? Visit www.rclfirst.com and sign up for our newsletter