Struggling with behavior challenges in your school? In this episode of The Principal’s Handbook, Barb Flowers explains why a strong Tier One PBIS system is a game changer for improving school-wide behavior. Whether you don’t have a system yet or yours feels stale, Barb shares simple, practical steps to set clear expectations, reinforce positive behavior, and use consistent consequences.Get ready to refresh your approach and create a positive, calm school climate that supports both students and teachers.Click HERE to get the Free PBIS Tier 1 Toolkit. 

In this episode of Make It Mindful, host Seth Fleischauer takes us on the origin story of Learning Live—his scrappy, video-conferencing English program that began in 2007 with one camera and 42 fifth-graders in Taipei. Through candid student testimonials (from reporting on Ukraine news to college-application interviews) and Seth’s own memories of adapting progressive pedagogy to a Taiwanese context, we explore how this live virtual learning program evolved from a novel experiment into a model of cultural fluency, confidence, and connection that’s now reached over 5,000 students on three continents.Key ThemesFrom Drill to Dialogue: How shifting away from grammar drills toward real-world communication transformed English learning.Context and Courage: Student stories of stepping out of comfort zones—using English to cover international news, interview professors, and tackle college applications.Blended Beginnings: The humble roots of Learning Live—borrowing teleconferencing gear after teaching in New York and pitching a bridge-across-the-world model to Tsai Hsing School in Taipei.Cultural Adaptation: Lessons in moving slowly, celebrating mistakes, and balancing collectivist expectations with a global mindset.Authentic Connection: Why imperfect, “messy” live virtual field trips—from Starbucks lines in L.A. to Christmas traditions—became powerful windows into everyday life around the world.Enduring Impact: How graduates carry forward confidence, critical thinking, and cultural fluency long after their time with the program ends.Student Voices“Because of this program, I had the courage to jump out of my comfort zone.”“Learning Live felt like a break from regular class—it was unforgettable.”“I use English now to report on international events and interview people for college applications.”“Those field trips—when the video shook or the audio crackled—it felt real, and that authenticity taught me more than any textbook.”Host & Guest Bios - Seth Fleischauer is the founder of Banyan Global Learning and the architect of Learning Live. After experimenting with contextualized English lessons in Taipei, he pioneered daily, live virtual classes that blend quality pedagogy with cross-cultural exchange. Over 17 years, his program has helped thousands of students build language skills, confidence, and global citizenship.- Featured Alumni include:Jasper, current Boston University finance studentAlicia, reporter at Taiwan’s news stationEmily, Ariel, and Ian - 12th graders at Tsai Hsing High SchoolEpisode LinksBanyan Global Learning: https://www.banyangloballearning.comLearn more about Learning Live: https://banyangloballearning.com/learning-live-2/

Where did that negative perception of yourself come from?Meet Karen Dwyer-Teseriore!Karen is a psychotherapist who helps you overcome negative self talk and dare to believe in yourself.On this episode, she addresses a number of issues related to mental health, relationships and inner dialogue.With a career spanning over 25 years working in the NYC child welfare system, she worked with families with Intergenerational trauma and CPTSD. Key Points:- compassions and empathy as a psychotherapist- why she had to believe in herself when things fell apart- how COVID led to a surge in the mental health crisis- the root of your negative self-talk- why children are not parented the exact same way- outside voices vs belief in yourself- why you are not accomplishing your goals- the impact of your inner dialogue...and so much more! Connect with Karen:Website: http://www.kdtesorierolcsw.netListen to the Podcast, subscribe, leave a rating and a review:Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/overcome-negative-self-talk-w-karen-dwyer-teseriore/id1614151066?i=1000721490049Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5bnfGKLGRsiNv3eEO9GWve?si=lEMxR5_cS1mgFzOHlG0mLwYouTube: https://youtu.be/kQNyJpJVE6k

For over 20 years, Tony Chatman has partnered with some of the most successful organizations in the world—including Chase Bank, the U.S. Secret Service, Phillips 66, Clear Channel, and St. Joseph’s Health. He specializes in bridging differences in perspectives, communication styles, and experiences by addressing the universal need we all share: to feel valued and seen.As a scientist and chemical engineer, as well as a husband, father, and former leader of a nonprofit dedicated to community upliftment, Tony combines intellect with humanity. He is equal parts head and heart. Tony’s book is The Force Multiplier: How to Lead Teams Where Everyone Wins.We discuss:The mission statement of leadershipWhat is a Force Multiplier?What makes relationship-based leadership effective?Relationship deposits and relationship withdrawalsSeven keys to being a force multiplierRoss: “I earned it, but now I have to learn it.”Learn more about Tony Chatman: www.tonychatman.com About the hostRoss Romano is a co-founder of the Be Podcast Network and CEO of September Strategies, a coaching and consulting firm that helps organizations and high-performing leaders in the K-12 education industry communicate their vision and make strategic decisions that lead to long-term success. Connect on Bluesky or LinkedIn I also host Sideline Sessions, a podcast for coaches and parents of student-athletes. The show features conversations with coaches and performance experts in the NFL, NBA, NCAA, Olympics, and more. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3Rp0QGt 

In this episode, Jethro Jones welcomes Patrick Mongrain, a middle school teacher, instructional coach, and restorative justice specialist, to discuss building sustainable systems in education. Patrick shares his “Moneyball” approach—leveraging data and analytics to improve classroom instruction and teacher support. He emphasizes the importance of moving beyond quick fixes and initiative fatigue by focusing on eight key practices that create hope and clarity for educators.Moneyball - Billy Bean developed a system of analytics to make a better system. Judging people based on unimportant data and perceptions. Applying a similar approach to how we teach. Spending time in different areas that see what great things are happening all over the place. Stop throwing shiny objects at the problem. The Key Performance Indicators: Class RoutineCommunity DataCorrective FeedbackInformed SupervisionOpportunities To RespondPositive FeedbackPositive Feedback RangeStudent To Teacher TimeTeaching ExpectationSystems = hopeKnowing what to do next gives people hope. That’s how systems create hope. 2% of teachers need to be evaluated, 98% of teachers need to be coached. Evaluation as a hoop to jump through. Teachers are so incredible, having an evaluation system that is so complex makes it difficult. Repeating is not the same as creating. Two injustices against teachers - evaluations Evaluation systems seem intentionally overwhelming.Initiative FatigueTrust Based Observations Edchanger Pro app - Make observations like a How to be a transformative principal? Relationships - taking the time to connect with them. Self-care is working in a system that you feel confident in. About Patrick MongrainPatrick Mongrain is a certified teacher currently serving in a TOSA role. He taught middle school history and leadership for 10 years and has spent another 10 years as a district-level instructional coach and restorative justice specialist. In his current position within the professional learning department, he divides his time evenly between teaching in classrooms, supporting school leaders in building systems, and working on district wide improvement. Patrick believes teachers are incredible, and to truly support them, we must move beyond quick fixes and do the hard work of building and sustaining systems. In this spirit, he has created a coherent instructional framework that applies a “Moneyball” approach, leveraging data and analytics on key performance indicators. He’s written a book Theory Can Only Take You So Far and developed a data collection app called Edchanger Pro that brings this system to life.Contact: E-mail: pmongrain65@comcast.netWebpage: https://www.youtube.com/@EdChanger and www.EdChanger.comApp: EdChanger Pro: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/edchanger-pro/id6741165826 LinkedIn: Patrick Mongrain