Podcast appearances and mentions of jennifer abrams

Leadership isn't just about guiding others; it's about growing yourself. On this episode of the Leaders Coaching Leaders Podcast, cohosts Peter DeWitt and Michael Nelson talk with Jennifer Abrams, renowned educator and author of Stretching Your Learning Edges: Growing Up at Work. Jennifer dives into the essential skills leaders need to succeed, including building resilience, managing challenging conversations, and cultivating professional cultures rooted in trust and collaboration. Drawing on her extensive experience working with schools and organizations, Jennifer offers advice on fostering self-awareness and navigating interpersonal dynamics with confidence and care. Don't miss this empowering conversation packed with practical wisdom for leaders looking to grow their impact.Let us know what you think!

This #coacbetter episode is about the importance of intentional and structured conversations. This is a highlight from one of Kim's favorite episodes from a previous season, featuring Michele Mattoon, Executive Director of the National School Reform Faculty. Recently as part of one of AAICIS Leaders Speaker Series we had Jennifer Abrams share with our community about Stretching Your Learning Edges (Jennifer has also been a guest on the podcast if you want to check out that episode), and as she said on the podcast, Jennifer highlighted how as educators we are not trained in having conversations with other adults. Having intentional and structured conversations, through the use of protocols, can really help us navigate difficult and challenging topics that, as Michele says, sometimes need “guardrails”. Because instructional coaches work with so many different stakeholders, with so many different perspectives, experiences and opinions, it's so important for us to know how to structure conversation for productive discourse and dialogue. Protocols are one way we can do that. If protocols are new to you, make sure to check out the full episode with Michele. Once you start using protocols in your professional learning, and group conversations, you won't go back.  Find the show notes for this episode here. Like this episode, you'll enjoy these: Coaching Case Study: The Power of Intentionally Slowing Down Coaching Conversations with Sasha Robins [Ep 238]  My "Secret" Coaching Assessment One Question That Will Transform Your Coaching Practice Coaching Call: Shifting your Coaching Mindset from Problem Solving to Improving Student Learning with Vicki Heupel [260] Let's Connect: Our website: coachbetter.tv EduroLearning on LinkedIn EduroLearning on Instagram EduroLearning on YouTube Subscribe to our weekly newsletter Join our #coachbetter Facebook group Learn with Kim Explore our courses for coaches Watch a FREE workshop Read more from Kim: Finding Your Path as a Woman in School Leadership (book) Fostering a Culture of Growth and Belonging: The Multi-Faceted Impact of Instructional Coaching in International Schools (chapter)

Episode Summary In this episode of the Counter Narrative Podcast, Charles Williams engages in a deep conversation with Jennifer Abrams about the significance of having hard conversations in educational settings. They explore the challenges of professional development, the necessity of adult development in schools, and the importance of emotional hygiene during professional learning. Jennifer shares her insights on how to navigate time constraints in PD sessions and emphasizes the need for intentionality in designing effective professional development experiences. The discussion also highlights the hunger for connection and meaningful learning among educators, and the resources available to support their growth.

Throw back episode!Dr. Abrams has her PhD in Microbiology, and has finished her post doc at UCSF while also learning the business side of pharma!  She comes to us by way of Houston with a passion for science and a passion for giving back.  Also, she loves nail art.Support the show

In this episode of The Counter Narrative Podcast, I take a moment to reflect on the importance of emotional hygiene and how unchecked emotions can lead to emotional pollution in our schools and relationships. Inspired by a session with Jennifer Abrams, author of Stretching Your Learning Edges, I explore how these two concepts can impact our classrooms and staff rooms, using Pigpen from Peanuts as a metaphor for the emotional “dust” we carry. Tune in as I share practical steps to maintain emotional hygiene, build healthier school environments, and foster more meaningful connections with students and colleagues. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thecounternarrative/support

Ever wondered how to voice your concerns without sparking conflict?Even though teachers have credentials to teach and work with students, it is a different skill set to talk effectively with adults.Effective communication with adults, colleagues, and administrators, allows educators to express their concerns without complaining and still maintain relationships, both personally and professionally. And that takes skill building, including naming their fears and hesitations and remembering that they are in a team.So joining us today is Jennifer Abrams, an international educational and communications consultant and a trainer for coaches, teachers, and administrators, to talk about empowering educators through effective communication and dealing with hard conversations.Jennifer also shares the need to balance one's personal development and professional growth, the future of education through a human-centered approach, and why teacher support is essential. There is power in your voice and the support systems around you. So, never shy away from asking for support because that's a path to growth. Here's to your journey as an empowered educator! Stay empowered,JenLet's keep the conversation going! Find me at:Jen Rafferty | Instagram, YouTube, Facebook | LinktreeInstagram: @jenrafferty_Facebook: Empowered Educator Faculty RoomAbout Jennifer:Jennifer Abrams is an international educational and communications consultant for public and independent schools, universities and non-profits. Jennifer trains and coaches teachers, administrators and others on new teacher/employee support, having hard conversations, collaboration skills and being your best adult self at work. In her over two decades at Palo Alto Unified School District (Palo Alto, CA, USA), Jennifer was a high school English teacher, new teacher coach, and professional development facilitator. She left PAUSD in 2012 to start her full time communications consultancy in which she works with schools and organizations around the globe.Jennifer presents at annual North American-based conferences such as Learning Forward, ASCD, NASSP, NAESP, AMLE, ISACS and the New Teacher Center Annual Symposium among others. Internationally, she facilitated with the Teachers' and Principals' Centers for International School Leadership (TTC and PTC) and presents with EARCOS, NESA, ECIS, AISA, AMISA, CEESA and Tri-Association, and consults with schools across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, South America and Canada. Jennifer's publications include Having Hard Conversations, The Multigenerational Workplace: Communicating, Collaborating & Creating Community and Hard Conversations Unpacked - the Whos, the Whens and the What Ifs, Swimming in the Deep End: Four Foundational Skills for Leading Successful School Initiatives, and her newest book, Stretching Your Learning Edges: Growing (Up) at Work. Jennifer has been recognized as one of "21 Women All K-12 Educators Need to Know" by Education Week's 'Finding Common Ground' blog. She considers herself a "voice coach," helping others learn how to best use their voices - be it collaborating on a team, presenting in front of a group, coaching a colleague, supervising an employee.  Connect with Jennifer:Website: www.jenniferabrams.comIG: @jenniferbethabramsX: @jenniferabramsLinkedIn

Jennifer Abrams is an international educational and communications consultant for public and independent schools, universities, and nonprofits. She trains and coaches teachers, administrators, and others on new teacher/employee support, having hard conversations, collaboration skills, and being your best adult self at work. In her over two decades at Palo Alto Unified School District (Palo Alto, […]

Hello everyone, I  want to thank you for taking the time to listen to S5 and a very special thank you to my subscribers, Buttercup Sally, Li-Ma, Rachel and Pat. Please consider supporting this podcast as I hope  you agree with my subscriber's sentiments, “Darien, you consistently produce quality shows that are filled with information and inspiration.” A very special thank you to my audio engineer, Fabian and my music composer, AKA Johnny. I'm also looking for a show assistant, please contact me if you might be interested! And finally, as we leave 2023 behind, let's envision a world that focuses on health, healing and most of all, peace. Wishing you an inspiring 2024. See you next year for Season 6 of All Things Pilates. As always, please feel free to reach out if you're interested in joining my Pilates class email list or if you simply want to contact me and say, "Hi!."About Darien Gold ~  https://www.dariengold.comMusic credits ~ Instagram: @theotherjohnmayer Email: mayerranchrecordings@gmail.comSupport the show

Teacher's - Have you ever had a disruptive student? If so, how did you handle this situation? And if you're a student, have you ever had a teacher you wanted to divorce? Having Hard Conversations by Jennifer Abrams is our guest today and I've asked her to talk about how to navigate uncomfortable conversations in our studios. Jennifer is a communications expert, keynote speaker, facilitator and author. About Darien Gold ~  https://www.dariengold.comMusic credits ~ Instagram: @theotherjohnmayer Email: mayerranchrecordings@gmail.comAbout Jennifer Abrams ~ https://jenniferabrams.comSupport the show

Did you know that our ability to speak up with authenticity and vulnerability is heavily linked to our health and wellness? In this episode, I'm joined by communications expert, Jennifer Abrams. Together, we'll discuss a variety of communication-related skills that can help us further develop our authentic voice so that we can engage in courageous and empowered health-supporting conversations. We'll also explore research regarding the impact of healthy and unhealthy conflict and have the opportunity to engage in a relationship audit to explore our communication opportunities in different relationships. Listen in, and learn to speak your way to better health! JenniferAbrams.com patreon.com/MSflock MyMSflock@gmail.comIG: @MyMSFlock FB: MS.UNDERSTOOD

    Formerly a high school English teacher and a new teacher coach in Palo Alto Unified School District (Palo Alto, CA), Jennifer Abrams is currently a communications consultant and author who works with educators and others on new teacher and employee support, being generationally savvy, effective collaboration skills, having hard conversations and creating identity safe workplaces.    Jennifer's publications include Having Hard Conversations, The Multigenerational Workplace: Communicate, Collaborate & Create Community, Hard Conversations Unpacked - the Whos, Whens and What Ifs, and Swimming in the Deep End: Four Foundational Skills for Leading Successful School Initiatives.  Her newest book is Stretching Your Learning Edges: Growing (Up) at Work.       Show Highlights 4) Let's dig into one of the facets you wrote about in this book that seems to be particularly important to develop during the time of quiet quitting and teacher recruitment and retention - building resiliency - tell me about what your take is on this important skill to buil Help leaders, adults and educators “grow up at work and play nice” to communicate effectively and support each other.  The professional credential we all need to start with and achieve. Five facets to stretch curriculum and your learning edges.  Suspend certainty and stop extinguishing better ideas being offered by your learning community. Tips to create a level of professionalism and “healthy hygiene” where everyone takes responsibility for their contributions. The umbrella book you need to have on your bookshelf.    “The concept of adult development is something we don't focus on in schools. We have child development, we have their curriculum. We know where you're supposed to move vertically over through the grades. And this concept of adults developing isn't a piece of what we think we should be doing because we're already cooked.” -Jennifer Abrams   Get the episode transcript here! Jennifer's Resources & Contact Info: Website: Jennifer Abrams Twitter Linkedin Instagram Facebook Books:www.miravia.com/products/stretching-your-learning-edges-growing-up-at-work/ Read my latest book! Learn why the ABCs of powerful professional development™ work – Grow your skills by integrating more Authenticity, Belonging, and Challenge into your life and leadership.   Read Mastermind: Unlocking Talent Within Every School Leader today! Apply to the Mastermind The mastermind is changing the landscape of professional development for school leaders.    100% of our members agree that the mastermind is the #1 way they grow their leadership skills.   Apply to the mastermind today!   SHOW SPONSORS: HARVARD GRADUATE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION Transform how you lead to become a resilient and empowered change agent with Harvard's online Certificate in School Management and Leadership. Grow your professional network with a global cohort of fellow school leaders as you collaborate in case studies bridging the fields of education and business. Apply today at http://hgse.me/leader.   TEACHFX How much student talk happened today? When classrooms come alive with conversation, learning improves, students feel a sense of belonging, and teachers feel inspired.  The TeachFX instructional coaching app gives teachers powerful insights into their student talk, student engagement, and classroom conversation.  With TeachFX, teachers see how much student talk happened, the moments of students sharing their brilliance, and the questions that got students talking.Learn how to pilot TeachFX with your teachers.  Visit: teachfx.com/betterleaders   ORGANIZED BINDER Why do students struggle? I'd argue that they lack access to quality instruction, but think about it. That's totally out of their control. What if there was something we could teach kids there was something within their control that would help them be successful in every class? It's not a magic pill or a figment of your imagination.    When students internalize Executive Functioning Skills they succeed.  Check out the new self-paced online course brought to you by OB that shows teachers how to equip their students with executive functioning skills.    Learn more at organizedbinder.com/go   Copyright © 2023 Twelve Practices LLC      

About Jennifer Abrams Formerly a high school English teacher and a new teacher coach in Palo Alto Unified School District (Palo Alto, CA, USA), Jennifer Abrams is currently a communications consultant and author who works with educators and others on leadership development at all levels, effective collaboration skills, having hard conversations and creating identity safe workplaces. Jennifer's publications include Having Hard Conversations, The Multigenerational Workplace: Communicate, Collaborate & Create Community, Hard Conversations Unpacked: the Whos, Whens and What Ifs, and Swimming in the Deep End: Four Foundational Skills for Leading Successful School Initiatives. Her newest book, and the focus of this episode, is Stretching Your Learning Edges: Growing (Up) at Work. Jennifer shares her work in other mediums as a featured columnist on growth and change for Learning Forward's The Learning Professional journal as well as contributing to The International Educator (TIE) focusing her writing on adult development and collaboration skills. Jennifer has been invited to keynote, facilitate and coach at schools and conferences worldwide and is honored to have been named one of the “18 Women All K-12 Educators Should Know,” by Education Week's ‘Finding Common Ground'' blog. More about Jennifer's work can be found at her website, www.jenniferabrams.com. and on Twitter @jenniferabrams. What You'll Find in this Podcast Episode with Jennifer Abrams Jennifer starts with the fact that “we speak to” being lifelong learners, but are we really living up to that? What if we developed ourselves in ways that allowed us to respond rather than react? Listen to what she says about the typical response to feedback. Joe asked why we have such trouble with a learning culture. Jennifer's response is profound--time, being “done” as a learner, school leaders assuming that the adult is already good enough. You have to hear what she says about the difference between how teachers are given prep periods but not reflection periods. T.J. asked about why educators often become defensive when given feedback or asked to make a change. Jennifer puts it simply: the system is not designed that way. We don't have the apprenticeship-style learning that would induct us into the profession as a learner. Jennifer talks about resiliency as working on our own emotional and psychological hygiene. Don't miss what she says about Pigpen and how people can bring in a lot of dust. Education is complex. Listen to what she says about shifting from “teacher of record” to “a space of learning” and how it can have a huge void. You want to know how to use the tool she describes to get people to check their energy when we start a meeting. Jennifer follows Shane Parrish at Farnam Street. She also studies Jennifer Garvey Berger, Cultivating Leadership for adult learners. Pay attention to her leadership check-in questions that gauge relationship health, but can work well with a team. Jennifer wants to learn how to cook better. She wants to feel free to fail. Powerful statement. Three things to do to learn and grow as a leader: Find a conference and attend as a learner. Find a conference and apply to co-present with someone. If you're interested in someone's work, find them. Reach out to them. Jennifer reveals that she has a cognitive crush on Peter Block, author of The Answer to How is Yes. Lastly, Jennifer reminds us that you can get things done. Just go forth and do it. Let us know if there's a guest who you want us to have on the show by leaving a comment below or by contacting us at contact@theschoolhouse302.com. And don't miss our leadership content updates every week by subscribing on the site. We can't wait to hear from you. Joe & T.J.

Jennifer Abrams is an international educational and communications consultant for public and independent schools, universities and non-profits. Jennifer trains and coaches teachers, administrators and others on new teacher/employee support, having hard conversations, collaboration skills and being your best adult self at work. Jennifer's publications include Having Hard Conversations, The Multigenerational Workplace: Communicating, Collaborating & Creating Community and Hard Conversations Unpacked – the Whos, the Whens and the What Ifs, Swimming in the Deep End: Four Foundational Skills for Leading Successful School Initiatives, and her newest book, Stretching Your Learning Edges: Growing (Up) at Work. . Connect with Jennifer: https://jenniferabrams.com/ . Connect with Hunter: https://linktr.ee/edessentials --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/edessentials/support

In today's episode, Jennifer Abrams and I unpack her latest book Stretching Your Learning Edges: Growing Up at Work. We take an in-depth dive into the 5 facets of personal and professional growth as outlined in her book. We discuss how these 5 facets apply to our improvement as an individual and as a workplace colleague in order to be able to show up as our best self with consistency both personally and professionally. As well, we also look at how the best leaders continually plant the seeds for adult development in their organizations in order to promote deeper well-being and productivity in the workplace. This is a thought-provoking discussion that will help all leaders to reflect more deeply on their role and responsibilities.  Jennifer Abrams for a part 2 of a conversation that began in September of 2022.  Jennifer is an international educational and communications consultant for public and independent schools, universities and non-profits.  Jennifer's publications include Having Hard Conversations, The Multigenerational Workplace: Communicating, Collaborating & Creating Community and Hard Conversations Unpacked – the Whos, the Whens and the What Ifs, Swimming in the Deep End: Four Foundational Skills for Leading Successful School Initiatives, and her newest book, Stretching Your Learning Edges: Growing (Up) at Work.Hope you can share this episode with anyone who you feel will benefit from listening. Thanks folks. Connect With JenWebsiteTwitterInstagramLinkedInFacebookPrevious Episode with Jennifer Abrams

I'm joined today by Jennifer Abrams, an international educational and communications consultant for public and independent schools, universities and non-profits. Jennifer's publications include Having Hard Conversations, The Multigenerational Workplace: Communicating, Collaborating & Creating Community and Hard Conversations Unpacked – the Whos, the Whens and the What Ifs, Swimming in the Deep End: Four Foundational Skills for Leading Successful School Initiatives, and her newest book, Stretching Your Learning Edges: Growing (Up) at Work.My original intention for having this conversation with Jen was to discuss her particular latest book, Stretching Your Learning Edges: Growing Up at Work. My hope was to take a dive into her work through the lens of her writing but to also discuss her role as a consultant and the work she does training leaders to bring out the best in their organizationsAs we started this conversation off, we discussed early experiences in Jenn's life and the major lessons learned that ultimately propelled her on to doing the work she now does in the world. We took a few unexpected turns in this conversation that helped to better frame up Jen's life and work.As we moved deeper into our discussion, the themes of well-being, authenticity, self-reflection, and vulnerability came alive which helped to provide even more context for the journey Jen has been on and why the work she does matters so much to her. I appreciate the honest nature of this conversation and the way Jen models what it means to stand in her own truth. We agreed that this is really a part 1 to our conversation and have committed ourselves to recording part 2 in later October. We will dive deeply into her latest book: Stretching Your Learning Edges: Growing Up at Work in our next conversation which will no doubt strongly connect to the previous books she has written as well. It was an honor to have this conversation with Jen. I hope you find value in our discussion today and share this episode with anyone who you feel will benefit from listening to it.Connect With JenWebsite: https://jenniferabrams.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/jenniferabramsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferbethabrams/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-abrams-439176Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.abrams.50

Today's episode features Jennifer Abrams, a communications consultant and author who works with educators and others, and new teacher and employee support.  Have we lost sight of our own developmental capabilities as adults? Why is it important to continue setting learning goals for ourselves at this stage in life? Jennifer answers all that and more in our conversation. Tune in now! Liked this episode? Rate, review, and share! Links: Guest can be found on website and Twitter. Episode Freebie: Inspirational Quotes for Deep-End Leaders

Formerly a high school English teacher and a new teacher coach in Palo Alto Unified School District (Palo Alto, CA), Jennifer Abrams is currently a communications consultant and author who works with educators and others on new teacher and employee support, being generationally savvy, effective collaboration skills, having hard conversations and creating identity safe workplaces.    Jennifer's publications include Having Hard Conversations, The Multigenerational Workplace: Communicate, Collaborate & Create Community, Hard Conversations Unpacked - the Whos, Whens and What Ifs, and Swimming in the Deep End: Four Foundational Skills for Leading Successful School Initiatives.  Her newest book is Stretching Your Learning Edges: Growing (Up) at Work.     Jennifer shares her work in other mediums as a featured columnist on growth and change for Learning Forward's The Learning Professional journal as well as contributing to The International Educator (TIE) focusing her writing on adult development and collaboration skills.    Jennifer has been invited to keynote, facilitate and coach at schools and conferences worldwide and is honored to have been named one of the “18 Women All K-12 Educators Should Know,” by Education Week's ‘Finding Common Ground'' blog.  More about Jennifer's work can be found at her website, www.jenniferabrams.com, and on Twitter @jenniferabrams.  Episode Notes: -High school English teacher for 9 years, then a New Teacher Coach, professional developer, Education, and Communications Consultant. -Finding your voice around what matters- her mission -Coaching in its purest sense is I am a thought partner, a cheerleader, a raw fairy godmother, all in service to whatever goal that the people I am working with have, which is to support students. -Can you find your voice in a way that matters, in a humane and growth-producing way? -It is about the development of the other person so that they feel more assured and grounded in how they want to make those changes.  -New teachers need just-in-time training that is ongoing and that is an intentional experience. -There is no one thing that helps to retain new teachers or any teachers. It is more about looking at your context and the challenges that you are facing in your area and saying how might we look at that. How do we go to the balcony to look at things with people? -Stretching Your Learning Edges: Growing Up at Work -Purposeful, ongoing support for the development of an adult in a school will be so helpful, and something that needs to be focused on. -Mrs. Kalman, “ Somebody is learning how to be a person by watching you.” -We need to keep growing and developing, we are not done! -We have credentials in how to teach, but we do not have credentials in how to talk to one another. We need to develop our skills in this area: being coaches, being a facilitator, being a team member.  -We need to own our own development. -Changing arenas in education can be a tough road.  -Top 5 things to remember: Your development needs to continue. Grow Yourself! Know your identity and how you see the world differently than others. Know my biases and limitations. Suspend my certainty that I have it the right way. Where can I inquire more? Be quiet. Watch and listen.  How can I be a more effective person in collaboration? How can I build up my skill set to be even more of a value add to my team members? -Find your voice around what matters! -Be quiet: Let people talk! The pause, the pause, the pause! Connect with Jennifer: Twitter:@JenniferAbrams Website: JenniferAbrams.com Email: jennifer@jenniferabrams.com Instagram: @JenniferFAbrams  

In this #coachbetter episode, Kim chats with Jennifer Abrams, author of (among many others) Having Hard Conversations, Swimming in the Deep End, and Stretching Your Learning Edges: Growing (Up) at Work! Kim and Jennifer talk about the intersection of coaching and leadership and in particular the power of clarifying conversations. As coaches, and leaders, these conversations are not always easy, but their importance can not be undervalued. If you're looking for strategies to manage these kinds of clarifying conversations in your role, this episode is for you! Jennifer is also featured in our Women Who Lead Certificate Program, and this conversation is like a window into one of the modules within the program - “Handling Difficult Conversations”. Women Who Lead is an 8-module online Certificate Program designed for aspiring and growing leaders, featuring the voices and experience of over 70 successful female leaders from around the world. Women Who Lead will empower you to articulate your leadership potential so that you can overcome the many challenges faced by women seeking leadership positions in the field of education. Registration for our next global cohort opens on the 17th of April and closes on the 1st of May. Find out more, and join the waiting list at edurolearning.com/women today! For more details on this episode > https://coachbetter.tv/episode-156

Jennifer Abrams is a former high school English teacher, who has become a communications consultant and author. Jennifer works with a multitude of people to develop effective collaboration skills, and has written numerous publications including the powerful book ‘Having Hard Conversations'.  Jennifer has been invited to keynote, facilitate and coach at schools and conferences worldwide and has been named one of the “18 Women that All K-12 Educators Should Know,” by the ‘Finding Common Ground'' blog. This episode focuses on ‘hard conversations'.

On this week's episode of Industry Elites, Natalie and Vicki had the opportunity to chat with Jennifer Abrams founder of The Abrams and Mayo Law Firm, a group of board-certified divorce attorneys in Las Vegas, Nevada. She started her firm twenty years ago with two people and has grown the enterprise to become one of the leading divorce and matrimonial law firms in the Las Vegas metropolitan area. Together they discuss what a typical day looks like for a lawyer in Las Vegas, and much more!Follow Jennifer Abrams:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Jennifer-Abrams-105512515358444Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-abrams-42679162/ Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrQZgRAOYgt_ZzB4GMBfVww Crunchbase - https://www.crunchbase.com/person/jennifer-abrams-005a Medium - https://jennifer-abrams.medium.com/ Website - https://www.theabramslawfirm.com/las-vegas-divorce-attorney/#jennifer-v-abrams To receive updates or to be featured on the podcast, check out www.industry-elites.com. Follow Industry Elites and like us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram for the latest information!Instagram - www.instagram.com/industry.elitesFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/IndustryElitesTwitter - https://twitter.com/Industry_ElitesMedium - https://medium.com/@industryelitesCrunchbase - https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/industry-elites

Catch us every morning, 5 days a week, for our Daily Drop-In live series at 7:00am Eeastern. Join us for interviews with educators from all around the world, valuable resources, motivation, inspiration, and a whole lot of fun! For more visit www.teachbetter.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/teach-better-talk/message

Premiering Thursday, November 25, letters and ephemera created in 1962 by a local professional association for graphic designers. If you liked the TV show, Mad Men, you'll love the real thing, New Orleans-style. Art Directors and Designers Association of New Orleans (ADDA) was chartered in 1961. Illustrators, lettering artists, art directors, photographers, commercial artists, and graphic designers banded together and promoted themselves to advertising executives throughout the Gulf South. Central to this was a promotional slideshow presentation. Digitized in 2008. You can view an animation of it HERE. If you are curious about the then new-fangled entertainment gizmo, slideshows, watch the Mad Men scene about their origin, HERE. In this compelling podcast, join reader Colin B. Miller, himself a practicing graphic designer, as he continues the 2021 programming theme, Doing Business in New Orleans. For this production, thanks are given to Steve Chyzyk and Steve Himelfarb, Sonic Canvas Studio. To Paul Broussard for additional recording. To Antenna, the project's fiscal partner. Thanks always to major funders, Corner and Reba Judith Sandler Foundations, Mark Cotton, Robert Heriard, Gayle Boudousqie, and to our executive advisory board Bill Hagler, Cole Halpern, Chris Kamenstein, and Michel Varisco. Additionally, thanks to Letters Read alum, Adam Newman. The very last ADDA vice president and, to this day, a practicing graphic designer. Special thanks to the first president of ADDA. Don Smith, now 92. Who physically gave the slideshow presentation to Mrs. Collins, project director. Thanks to Don's work chum back in the day at Knox Reeves Fitzgerald, Ron Thomson, now President - Marketing, Beuerman Miller Fitzgerald. The current agency from who Knox-Reeves Fitzgerald evolved. Thanks to Dave Walker, THNOC. Big thanks to Kure Croker, Loyola University Special Collections and Archives for ongoing support of the History of Graphic Design in South Louisiana physical archives and to Jennifer Abrams, director, T. Harry Williams Center for Oral History for her unwavering support of the oral history part of that project. Intro and outro-music are from the reel-to-reel audio tape recording of the original jingle composed and performed in 1961 by Paul Guma. Image: Slide 32 in the 1962 Art Directors and Designers Association of New Orleans slideshow presentation. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/letters-read/message

Author, speaker, and consultant Jennifer Abrams (www.jenniferabrams.com) speaks with Dr. Kevin Ruth about her latest book, Stretching Your Learning Edges: Growing (Up) At Work. Excerpt below: As educators, we speak of the importance of being lifelong learners. The concept of already ‘being done' with learning assumes that we are fully cooked and ‘complete', yet the time of adulthood can be one of tremendous growth and development emotionally, psychologically and cognitively. Schools can and should be places where we learn, mature and develop as those who work and teach within them. We should always be on a learning edge in many aspects of our lives and to stretch and to engage with that edge should be a consistent practice – where we learn and unlearn. Stretching at your edges requires work. This is what we mean by you finding your “learning edge”— working to see more, to hold more. It is acting out of your zone of proximal development—working on skills you are close to mastering (Vygotsky, 1978, p. 86).

In her over two decades at Palo Alto Unified School District (Palo Alto, CA, USA), Jennifer was a high school English teacher, new teacher coach, and professional development facilitator. She left PAUSD in 2012 to start her full-time communications consultancy in which she works with schools and organizations across the globe. Jennifer trains and coaches teachers, administrators, and others on new teacher/employee support, having hard conversations, collaboration skills, and being your best adult self at work. Jennifer presents at annual North American-based conferences such as Learning Forward, ASCD, NASSP, NAESP, AMLE, ISACS, and the New Teacher Center Annual Symposium among others. Internationally, she consults with schools across Asia, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, and Canada. Jennifer's publications include Having Hard Conversations, The Multigenerational Workplace: Communicating, Collaborating & Creating Community and Hard Conversations Unpacked – the Whos, the Whens and the What Ifs, Swimming in the Deep End: Four Foundational Skills for Leading Successful School Initiatives, and her newest book, Stretching Your Learning Edges: Growing (Up) at Work. Jennifer has been recognized as one of “21 Women All K-12 Educators Need to Know” by Education Week's ‘Finding Common Ground' blog. She considers herself a “voice coach,” helping others learn how to best use their voices – be it collaborating on a team, presenting in front of a group, coaching a colleague, supervising an employee. Connect Twitter-@jenniferabrams Website- www.jenniferabrams.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/bigedidea/message

Episode #90: Sandeep Dutt in conversation with Jennifer Abrams, an international educational and communications consultant for public and independent schools, universities, and non-profits. Jennifer trains and coaches teachers, administrators, and others on new teacher/employee support, having hard conversations, collaboration skills, and being your best adult self at work. In her over two decades at Palo Alto Unified School District (Palo Alto, CA, USA), Jennifer was a high school English teacher, new teacher coach, and professional development facilitator. She left PAUSD in 2012 to start her full-time communications consultancy, in which she works with schools and organizations across the globe. Jennifer presents at annual North American-based conferences such as Learning Forward, ASCD, NASSP, NAESP, AMLE, ISACS, and the New Teacher Center Annual Symposium. Internationally, she facilitated with the Teachers' and Principals' Centers for International School Leadership (TTC and PTC) and presented with EARCOS, NESA, ECIS, AISA, AASSA, CEESA, and Tri-Association, and consults with schools across Asia, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, and Canada. Jennifer's publications include Having Hard Conversations, The Multigenerational Workplace: Communicating, Collaborating & Creating Community and Hard Conversations Unpacked – the Whos, the Whens and the What Ifs, Swimming in the Deep End: Four Foundational Skills for Leading Successful School Initiatives, and her newest book, Stretching Your Learning Edges: Growing (Up) at Work. Jennifer has been recognized as one of “21 Women All K-12 Educators Need to Know” by Education Week's ‘Finding Common Ground' blog. She considers herself a “voice coach,” helping others learn how to best use their voices – be it collaborating on a team, presenting in front of a group, coaching a colleague, supervising an employee. Her website is www.jenniferabrams.com. Her new book, Stretching Your Learning Edges: Growing (Up) at Work, is at www.miravia.com. Follow @jenniferabrams on Twitter and @jenniferbethabrams on Instagram. In the show, she shares how she set out to be a grammar teacher and evolved to a Coach for adult learning. She had in her the inherent credentials for communicating efficaciously. Building humane relationships, her work syncs with what Learning Forward India delivers with their Joy Of Learning Program, focusing on self-confidence, resilience, and a happy teacher. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/learningforward/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/learningforward/support

Links mentioned in this episode:  Follow the author on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jenniferabrams Check out her website:https://jenniferabrams.com/ Learn more about her book: https://jenniferabrams.com/books/ Find the free guide that supports this episode: https://www.shiftingschools.com/free-pdfs

Formerly a high school English teacher and a new teacher coach in Palo Alto Unified School District (Palo Alto, CA, USA), Jennifer Abrams is currently a communications consultant who works with educators and others on new teacher and employee support, being generationally savvy, effective collaboration skills, having hard conversations and creating identity safe workplaces. Jennifer's publications include Having Hard Conversations, The Multigenerational Workplace: Communicate, Collaborate & Create Community, Hard Conversations Unpacked - the Whos, Whens and What Ifs, and Swimming in the Deep End: Four Foundational Skills for Leading Successful School Initiatives.  Her newest book is Stretching Your Learning Edges: Growing (Up) at Work. Jennifer has been invited to keynote, facilitate and coach worldwide from the USA to Africa, from Asia to Europe, from Australia to South America,  and she is honored to have been named one of the “18 Women All K-12 Educators Should Know,” by Education Week's ‘Finding Common Ground'' blog.     Show Highlights The book for leaders to participate in each other's development Exploration of markers to learn on how to BE and interact with adults A meaningful verse, pantyhose and a gift for reflective leadership The scariest thing and the 5 facets to help overcome the fear Tips on identifying what you stand for and why it matters Finding bandwidth to deal with disappointment and all the challenges Exploring The SCARF model and  what threatens us about new ideas “Your development isn't an indulgence. You don't have time not to develop yourself. If you don't, you're not going to have as fruitful a life as a Ruckus Maker, as thoughtful of a life, and you won't live in the world with the same amount of ease.”  -Jennifer Abrams   Full Transcript Jennifer Abrams Transcript   Jennifer Abrams' Resources & Contact Info: Stretching Your Learning Edges: Growing (Up) at Work Dr. David Rock: Home Jennifer Abrams: Home Twitter LinkedIn Facebook   Looking for more? Read The Better Leaders Better Schools Roadmap Join “The Mastermind” Read the latest on the blog   SHOW SPONSORS: HARVARD GRADUATE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION Transform how you lead to become a resilient and empowered change agent with Harvard's online Certificate in School Management and Leadership. Grow your professional network with a global cohort of fellow school leaders as you collaborate in case studies bridging the fields of education and business. Apply today at http://hgse.me/leader.   TEACHFX School leaders know that productive student talk drives student learning, but the average teacher talks 75% of class time! TeachFX is changing that with a “Fitbit for teachers” that automatically measures student engagement and gives teachers feedback about what they could do differently.  Learn more about the TeachFX app and get a special 20% discount for your school or district by visiting teachfx.com/blbs.   ORGANIZED BINDER Organized Binder is the missing piece in many classrooms. Many teachers are great with the main content of the lesson. Organized Binder helps with powerful introductions, savvy transitions, and memorable lesson closings. Your students will grow their executive functioning skills (and as a bonus), your teachers will become more organized too. Help your students and staff level up with Organized Binder.   Copyright © 2021 Twelve Practices LLC

Speaker 1: Everyone's favorite radio station is W I, I F M stands for what's in it for me. And so you're only going to pursue a goal probably that you really want  Speaker 2: Raising the water levels of leadership in the Tri-Cities of Eastern Washington, the Tri-Cities influencer podcast. Welcome to the TC podcast. We're local leadership and self-leadership expert Paul Casey interviews, local CEOs, entrepreneurs, and nonprofit executives to hear how they lean themselves and their teams. So we can all benefit from your wisdom. Here's your host, Paul Casey growing forward services, individuals and teams, breakthrough success.  Speaker 3: It's a great day to grow forward. Thanks for joining me for today's episode with Elizabeth Barnes. She is the executive director of the children's reading foundation of the mid-Columbia. And I asked her for something funny about herself, and she said the word avocado, tell us more about that, Elizabeth.  Speaker 4: So I'm kind of embarrassed about this when my husband and I were actually like brainstorming about, what's a quirky thing about you that people can relate about. And I was like, you know what? You are, I am kind of obsessed with avocados. And I know it's such a millennial thing, but you know, like avocados, I eat one or two a day and I have to tell you, Costco has the best office. I like to create like small little paintings. My mom got me off a couple of socks for Christmas, and I might currently searching on Etsy for a giant avocado painting to hang over my dining room table,  Speaker 3: A little bit of an obsession, a little bit.  Speaker 4: My husband told me that people were going to probably start buying me all the condo, like figurines and stuff after this. And I'm just, oh gosh,  Speaker 3: Probably. Yeah. I had, you know, bald Eagles when I used to be a school principal years ago, it was bald Eagles, and I got all those gifts. So that's, what's coming your way. It's coming. I can't wait, but we'll dive in. After checking in with our Tri-City influencer sponsor, it's easy to delay answering uncomfortable questions. Like what happens to my assets and my loved ones when I die. So it's no surprise that nearly 50% of Americans don't have a will and even fewer have an estate plan, many disabled clients worry that they don't have enough assets to set up an estate plan, but there are important options available to ensure that you have a voice in your medical and financial decision-making. Even if your health takes a turn for the worst estate planning gives you a voice when your health deteriorates or after you're gone. Marin Miller bam attorney at law is currently providing free consultations to find out more about estate planning or to book an appointment. Call Marin at (206) 485-4066 or visit Salem that's S a L U s-law.com today. Thank you for your support of leadership development in the Tri-Cities welcome Elizabeth. I was privileged to meet you. You reminded me early 2020. I was speaking for the Columbia basin Sherm, the HR organization here locally, and you were there. So  Speaker 4: That was, yeah. And you and I ended up connecting because you were speaking about your international experience. And I just moved back to the trace of his, after being gone for 13 or 14 years, doing all international work. And so I came up and introduced myself, wanting to find out what happening internationally. And so, yeah,  Speaker 3: It was good stuff. Very good. Okay. Good stuff. And then you've got like young professional of the year or something, right? Well, you got one of those tough things in the journal business. Yeah. And the connect magazine recently got  Speaker 4: Like the young, well, it was executive spotlight. It was of, it was pretty exciting to get, they actually came in and did photographs at my house with me and my son doing, you know, school. Yeah. It was very  Speaker 3: Cool. It was really cool. Thank you. Well, so that our tries to the influencers can get to know you tell us about what your organization does and what you spend 80% of your day doing.  Speaker 4: Yeah. So the children's reading foundation of the mid-Columbia was actually founded right here in the Tri-Cities about 25 years ago. It was collection of teachers and principals and parents all got together and they really identified that education literacy education was the key to future success of our community. And so they started the children's reading foundation, which is now a national organization. The mid-Columbia is our local chapter right here in the Tri-City. So we serve Benton and Franklin county. Our mission is to encourage and educate families about their important role in raising a reader and preparing their child for kindergarten w also to support schools and ensuring the students read on grade level by the end of third grade, and to facilitate community involvement in helping young readers be successful. So this past year during COVID, we have really been working in the community and showing that we're getting as many educational resources and tools as we can. We I'm so proud of my team. We have actually distributed over 40,000 books to Ben or Franklin county to students, to children and families had been Franklin county. And yeah, I mean, if you've heard the saying read 20 minutes a day with a child, that's us, that's the children's reading foundation. So if you've heard that slogan, then you know who we are. And so, yeah, it's a, it's an incredible organization. I'm so proud to be the, you know, the head of this organization. It's, it's just wonderful,  Speaker 3: Like literally in your email address, right? Yeah. 20 minutes@retwentyminutes.com. Yeah. It's just so  Speaker 4: Important. How do I spend 80% of my day? So I spend 80% of my day making connections with the community to really spread our mission and raising funds for our programming. It's that's really, that is my job. So it's like, how can we, how can we grow? How can we develop? How can we ensure that we are meeting the community's needs? And how can we make sure that we have funding to support that support our mission. And then the other 20% is just managed my incredible team. We're a small little team, but they're awesome. I just, they're just so wonderful.  Speaker 3: And why do you love to do what you do besides my incredible team, but I've just been ranked.  Speaker 4: I really love what I do because I'm really friendly, do believe in our mission. Our non-profit is one of the few that actually provides preventative instead of reactionary measures to help ensure our community grows and thrives. Most nonprofits in our community are reactionary. Okay. We have students that are dropping out of high school. What do we do? And instead of that, we say early childhood education, access to books for children at birth through third grade, that's preventative. That actually changes an entire community. So that's why I'm so passionate about what we do is because we are so preventative, we are ensuring that we are saving our community before anything ever happens. It's just, that  Speaker 3: Is so true. And it's good. You pointed that out. I was in leadership Tri-Cities and I remember the day, well, there's a couple of days where it talked about the community and most of the services and the Tri-Cities were reactionary. It's like, okay, so now that there's a problem, we're going to get funding to this. And you are one of the few organizations that's on the front end. Yeah.  Speaker 4: You know, literacy really is the key to success. Children who are able to read on grade level by the end of third grade are more likely to graduate from high school, go on to college, be more financially stable and be healthy members of rewire of our community, you know? And so why not, you know, why not support that kind of organization  Speaker 3: Prevention? Yeah. So Elizabeth, outside your organization who helps you be successful, do you have any mentors, other people in your network?  Speaker 4: Yeah, so that's really, that's really tricky. So we moved here like six or eight months before COVID hit. And so it was such a tough time. Right. I had big plans. I attended a lot of networking events before COVID, but you know, it's, it's difficult to make those connections and those relationships. And so I don't, I don't really have outside of my board. I don't really have a lot of mentors or like a lot of connections here in the Tri-Cities yet outside of, you know, LinkedIn and maybe it's so hard, but yeah, it's yeah. So, but I have a lot of, I have some really incredible women who have guided and led me in the past. I've been in leadership for 15 years now and I have some incredible, really powerful women who have taken me under their wing and guided me and supported me. And so I've reached out to them or bills last year and just asked for guidance and support. And we're in different fields. Now I was in education in the past. So they're still, you know, they're still leading their schools and, and there, you know, they're gigantic, huge schools and I'm running the small little non-profit, so we're kind of indifferent different fields, but you know, they've still been very, very happy to support me. And it's been, it's been nice.  Speaker 3: Yeah. You're an educator at me too. So leaders have growth mindsets. How are you constantly evolving as a leader what's in your own professional development plan?  Speaker 4: So I had big plans for this last, for this year. Right. And of course, like everything had changed, but so my professional developed plan for this year for the 20, 20, 20, 21 has really been ensuring that our brand name gets out there when people hear read 20 minutes, or when they hear the children who need foundation of Maine Columbia, they understand like, oh, I know what that is like, oh, that started here. Oh, okay. They give us books; they provide educational resources. You know, they're here to support families and really ensure that that brand name is connected. We've been here for 25 years. And when I say the children, we need foundation of the children's Winnie foundation. I didn't have to say make Columbia. They're like, what's, that is that the child development center is that, that place over there off the highway. I literally had that last week.  Speaker 4: And I was like, no, no, we support them. We provide ready for kindergarten with that. But now that that's not us. And so really trying to really trying to get our name out there. And the other thing is really to expand my grant writing because we don't have a lot of opportunities to be on the community to make those connections and to, you know, look for sponsors. I've really turned to grant writing this past year. I, I found that grant writing one is very cathartic, right? Like you sit behind a computer, you talk about your incredible organization and you ask people with lots of money Coca-Cola please give me $40,000 to be able to do ready for kindergarten for, you know, communities and Prosser and it's, you know, like that kind of thing. And so you're like, okay, so they have the money, it's an incredible program.  Speaker 4: And I get to share about this incredible program. And so to be able to, to do that, it feels very achievable, right? Like it's something that can be like, and I did this, this, and I did this. And at this moment in time where like, everything is so like, can I even leave my house today? Like as a grocery store, I'm going to be open, you know, still a year later, it's something that's actually very achievable that I can check off my to-do list. I've written 45 breaths this year. He's like, you know, that kind of thing. I'm like, yes, it has been a successful gear and, and it has been successful. You know, the people are very generous. Grant makers are very generous. And I think COVID, you know, has really highlighted the importance of our mission. You know, literacy is when schools closed and libraries closed and you know, so many, so many children and families stuck at home that our mission has become more important than ever. And so grant makers have seen that and it hadn't have given us a lot of money. It's been a very successful year for us. That's great. A lot of wins to celebrate.  Speaker 3: So how do you avoid burnout and negativity? How do you feed your mental, emotional health and wellness on a regular basis? Being an executive director.  Speaker 4: All right. So there's a couple of things. So I have my little COVID pod. Everybody has them, but I have my little, my little COVID pod. It's my family and my parents who live here and, and then like another little family and we all follow hand COVID guidelines, which we've been doing for like a year now. And surprisingly, we haven't killed each other. It's like, you know, it's just like, how are we still friends? But, you know, so we, we do, we do like large family dinners every week where we all get together every Friday evening and we just hang out and have fun. You know, I just, I really make sure that they're, that we have quality time, and we don't talk about work. And you know, like I don't, I, I choose in the past as an educator, you hang out with other teachers, you hang out with other educators and you spend most of least in my experience, you spend most of your time talking about work. Yeah. And so, which is so annoying, I'm like, come on, we're, we're intelligent, smart.  Speaker 3: We're holistic. We have more people. We have more of a life. Yeah. Well, let's, let's  Speaker 4: Just talk about other things. And so I really worked at not talking about work. And so, yeah. So there's that. And then I go on a lot of walks. I'm all about like, I just, I'm not a runner. I've never been a runner, but I really enjoy walking. And so I generally find like a loop that works. I'm like, okay, so this loop is like a mile long. Okay. So I'm going to go on three of these loops today and I've gotten in my steps and I feel good. And it really does help, like bring down the stress. And then I listened to a lot of audio books. Like I am a, I'm a poor sleeper. And so helps me, like, de-stress at night I can put an audio book and listen to a book and it just helps me like shut off the cool work brain and then last but not least a good top cocktail and how stance party helps ease the stress. That's you know, my husband and I are we really miss going out dancing. And so we have quite a few dance parties  Speaker 3: In our house. A little tick talk for you. All right. No, no, no, no, no, no. It's not that we're not, we're not fancy dancers. No, none of it was choreographed. Yeah. How do you go about getting things done? My, my guess is you're an achiever because you were an educator. That's what I picked up on. Cause there's endorphins that, you know, go through you when you cross something off a list. So how do you organize yourself? Get a little granular with them. All right.  Speaker 4: So I'm all about my to-do lists, but specifically Google calendar and task list. So I love the Google suite because everything is interconnected. So I have my email. So when you emailed me asking, if I could be on your show, I will add that to my task list. And then when I have time, I will get to it. I have I, and then I add a little due date onto my calendar by when I have to have it done. And then, you know, and then I, I have this, I have some of the questions that you sent me. I have an, an, a document, which I attached to my to-do list, which is also connected to my calendar. So I don't lose it and it's all there. And then when I'm done, when we're done here, I'm gonna check it off my list. And I'm going to feel great about myself today. I have achieved something, you know, and in, in, in an organization like this, where achievement is, it's not an everyday thing. You know, if you get a grant, like if you get an email about a grant and I got $5,000, right? Yes. That's an achievement for the day, but you don't get a lot of you don't get a lot of daily wins. And so having that task list of likes, yes, I accomplished that. I call it keeps you motivated. It keeps you going.  Speaker 3: It does. Yeah. Does well before we head to our next question on looking at the bigger picture, a shout out to our sponsor, located in the Parkway, you'll find motivation, new friends and your new coworking space at fuse. Whether you're a student just starting out or a seasoned professional, come discover all the reasons to love co-working at fuse come co-work at fuse for free on Fridays in February, enjoy free coffee or tea, WIFI printing conference rooms, and more, and bring a friend. If you use this, where individuals and small teams come together in a thoughtfully designed resource, rich environment to get work done and grow their ideas. Comprised of professionals from varying disciplines and backgrounds. Fuse is built for hardworking, fun, loving humans. Learn more about us@fusespc.com or stop by seven to three, the Parkway in Richland, Washington. So Elizabeth, easy to get trapped into simply reacting to crises and leadership. How do you specifically step back, take a look at the bigger picture of what the organization is doing and maybe even in your own life? Yeah. You  Speaker 4: Know, it's a little hard, it's hard to, especially this past year where so much has had to be reactionary, as things are constantly changing day to day, right. It's, it's been really hard not to just be reactionary, reactionary, reactionary. And do you actually take that step back and say, okay, what are we actually trying to accomplish this year? And so for me, when COVID hit and we were like, okay, what are we doing? I took a, like a, I think it was even, it wasn't even a full day. I think it was just like, you know, a good six hours of freaked out and just like, no, I was like, okay, now let's get together as a team virtually because our office is at an elementary school in Kennewick. And so we had to shut down, like everything we should have. Like, I literally hauled by printer out under my arms and like, you know,  Speaker 3: A little small desk at a home base. Cause I'd never seen it. So  Speaker 4: Homebase has been my house for the last year, but we do, we have a, we have a couple of portables over at canyon elementary school in clinic. Yeah. So, which we've been solely caught getting back into, which has been nice, but yeah. So had a freak out and then said, okay, what can we, what can we still do? All right. We can, we can pit it, our programs that we have, there's the word of the year, by the way. Sorry. I used, I'm really not going to say, you know, like it's the, it's the, I know. So how can we transition from being in-person? So we ha we had in-person tutoring in elementary schools, and then we also have our early childhood education program ready for kindergarten, which was also in person. So I got with my program directors was about community outreach operations manager and said, okay, what can we actually do?  Speaker 4: And so we, in my incredible team, again, we're able to take what we were doing, which everything was in person and say, we're going to do it virtually. And we did, like, it was, we closed down on Tuesday and we were doing the virtual program on Monday. I mean, it was like that. And so, yeah, actually phenomenal. And my operation like operations and community programs, cause it's the same position because we're small. What, how can we ensure that we're still getting books in the hands of families? If we can't be on the community, if our volunteers, a lot of our volunteers are seniors and it's like, they couldn't be on the community. How could we still get books out into the community? And so we said, okay, let's partner with organizations that are handing out food and clothing, like second harvest, for example, or communities in schools and other organizations like that. The boys, girls club, who were saying, you know what, we're still gonna, we can provide food and clothing to these families. So we said, books, literacy is just as important second to food. [inaudible] Thank you might as well. And so how can we, how can we ensure that, you know, we're saying that literacy is also an essential need and so partnering with them and saying, okay, you're already out there. Can we give you the books? Can you distribute them for us? Our, can we come up instead of a table and be behind you in passing, you know, books through windows and things like that. And so doing a lot of drive-through events, but really partnering with those community organizations that are already out there. And so that's, we really,  Speaker 3: Did you have those partnerships prior? Or did you go after them? Once COVID hit?  Speaker 4: It sounded like the boys and girls club and the way we've always provided books to them for like their afterschool program and Karen like that, but communities and schools and not really, and that's become a really big partner for us. We've also partnered with Cooper cupboard out of WSU. Who's providing like, they have a whole like food and food and clothing closet out there. And we said, okay, can we also get books out to your families? And so they partnered with us and second harvest as also like one of our big ones that were out there probably once a month or so partnering with them. And a lot of partnerships, it's a lot, it's a lot. I think we, we ended up having something like 23 different community partnerships this past year with new ones that we hadn't had in the past, but which was new for us, you know, which was, yeah. But our organization is so old. It's hard to tell like maybe in the past we had had those, those partnerships, but you know, transition happens a new leader come and go. And so, you know, it's good to, it's good to breathe new life.  Speaker 3: Necessity's the mother of invention or, or connection, I guess. So it has a board that you have to change your strategic plan. Cause you probably have a strategic plan every one or two years. Did you have to go, all right, this is back burner. This is back burner. Here's some new stuff.  Speaker 4: Oh, so interestingly enough, the board and I were crafting the strategic plan at the time, of course, because they had just ended their strategic plan. The executive, the previous executive director had just exited. And so they're like, okay, we'll wait to craft the new strategic plan with the new executive director. So I come on board, we had been working on it for a couple months and then COVID hit and everybody kind of for about three or four months, just kind of like disappeared into their own little bubble of panic. And so every, and so right. And so a  Speaker 3: Little bubble of panic and I quit quickly on that one hashtag  Speaker 4: That's what it felt like everybody including myself, right? Like if I'm not serving my, if I'm not doing exactly, if I'm not being reactionary exactly to what I need to do right now, I'm just like focusing on my family and trying not to look at the numbers and freak out about swapping in this country. And so, yeah. And so our strategic plan got put on hold. So we're, we're finishing up this month. Long story short, we're finishing up this month, which is good because I think like, because we are, things are starting to open up, schools are starting to open up, you know, the community is, is getting back on its feet, that this is a good time for us to look ahead the next three years and say, where are we going? What do we want to do? What, what have we done? That's really worked successfully this past year.  Speaker 4: And the hybrid model, as everybody is saying, the hybrid model really is the future. You know? And so we are going to end up keeping a lot of the things that we did in those partnerships that we've created and the model of reaching families, the families that really want to reach those low-income families, those really needy families, the families that actually need educational resources and tools and not just yeah, those families. And so the model that we have at the moment is really serving those families. And so we really do want to continue in the same thing.  Speaker 3: How do you best lead organizational change, knowing how hard it is for most people in change and your organization has been here, like you said, for a long time. So you probably came in, you took the job and it's like, alright, you looked around, you probably assess the situation I'm putting COVID aside just for a moment. Right. And so what's your view on that leading change.  Speaker 4: Okay. So I have a view and then I have what happened with this job, which are interesting. Okay. So, you know, from my view to best organizational change, you have a clear vision of where you want to go, right? You set up step-by-step goals and getting there, you empower your staff to run with their ideas, to get there. You support your team. When they feel at a loss, you utilize the experience and knowledge of your board and you make the connections to bring in funding and change. Then you celebrate every step. Wow. That's all easy because that was your textbook answer. You know, like those are the steps in real life. You know, walking into an organization that's been around for 25 years. Organizational change can be very difficult, but this is the way we've always done it. This is how we've always done. This is how the previous executive director did it.  Speaker 4: And the one before them, and this is how we do it. And so I have to say, COVID saved my life for this, like for this, or for actually being able to create organizational change within this organization in a fast way, in a very speedy way, COVID made it, it had to happen. And so it was, it became, you know, necessity, the mother, the mother of necessity. Right? And, and so we were able to make those changes, which might have taken three years in a year. You know, like we, we knew that we wanted to take things more hybrid to take it less out of. I'll give you a great example. So like our ready for kindergarten program in the past, we had a workshop that were set up in elementary schools. We took our, we loved our laptops. We took all of the supplies over there.  Speaker 4: Parents would sign up, they would show up, we would have childcare. Parents would attend. They would sit in this class. It was very spoon-fed to the parents. They would leave, they would get a box of resources and they would go home. Right. And that was, we would do that three times a year. And we had, we had good success, but we, but my, my program director was like, well, what if we, what if we could do something where like, they could learn it at home. And they have the, you know, they were doing like online education, you know, online learning is really becoming trendy, but it just wasn't the model. Right. And I'm sure it would have eventually become the model in the future, but it became, she was the driving force to make it the model during COVID. She said, okay, I have all these ideas.  Speaker 4: She worked with a national organization and they created it and we've had astronomical success. Like more, more parents are participating our community in this program than I've ever had never participated because they can do it at any time. Right. Especially, we always really wanted to get parents who had newborns to two-year-olds. Right. That's really like the early, early age. And that's always been the age that's been impossible to get. Right? Like the numbers were always terribly low and this year they've been higher than ever because parents can do it at any time. Right. They're at home, they're nursing, they're feeding, it's 2:00 AM the baby's crying that can't sleep, whatever. They can just sit on their phone and do this program and get that early child education to ensure that their child is successful. And so it's been great. It's been absolutely, absolutely fantastic to be able to do that quick transition, but what have happened, but it's going to take them a lot longer.  Speaker 3: You did get blessed with that, but it's not all bad. Yeah. Yeah. With change. Wow. So ready for kindergarten. I know about the program. Some of our listeners may not get, can you do a quick 30 seconds on it?  Speaker 4: Yeah, absolutely. And I'll tell you about team read as well, which is our other, our big program. So ready for kindergarten is an early childhood education program. We provide three classes a year and we provide all the tools and resources to ensure that the parents are the teachers at home because a lot of children are at home with their parents all day with a parent or a caregiver all day. And we know even if you're not, but the parent is the first teacher of every child. And so ready for provides those resources and tools to the parent to ensure that they have the knowledge and background, to be able to ensure that their child is ready on the first day of kindergarten. We S there are a lot of children in the Tri-Cities who start that first day of kindergarten, two or three years behind their peers.  Speaker 4: So if they're starting at the age of a two-year-old at five, how long is it going to take them to catch up? Maybe never. I don't want to be, I don't want to be a pest, but like, you know, like they're always behind. They're always behind. And then that's, that's not fair to them. And that's, and that's and no fault to parents in the Tri-Cities, right? Like parents, no fault to parents anywhere. Right. It's parents, every parent wants the best for their kid. No parent is like, I to hope my kid fails, you know, like,  Speaker 3: No,  Speaker 4: Trust me. Like, no, I'm a, I'm a mom, no parent wants that. And so, you know, this is just providing that early childhood educational background for parents. So that way they can ensure their kid is successful. Yeah. It's, it's a phenomenal program. And then we also have team read, which is a tutoring program where we provide tutoring for children who are behind moving for, for first through third grade. And that's in the elementary schools in the past, we've actually had tutors from the community, volunteer tutors, come in and provide them. One-on-one tutoring for 30 minutes a week to, to children who are behind this year. We have changed it. I'm not going to use the P word. We have changed it so that children are, the parents are actually getting the tutoring resources to be able to provide that one-on-one tutoring, that targeted one-on-one tutoring for their kids at home. So the teacher evaluates the student, they said the child is at this reading level. And then here are all the resources. So we provide all the like level tutoring resources for the parent to be able to provide that one-on-one instruction at home for the kids.  Speaker 3: Okay, great, great community resources. Wow. So one of the most difficult tasks of a leader is when you must have a difficult conversation with a team member, how do you bolster the courage to do that?  Speaker 4: So this was a really hard thing for me initially. You know, I was really young getting into leadership. I got my first principal's job when I was 29. And I was the leader of, you know, managing some teachers that were long in the tooth, you know, like in their fifties and sixties had been there forever, who were just like, how dare you leave me? And I had to have those. I had to have some difficult conversations, especially bringing in, you know, new educational theory. And they're like, but I've been doing this for 30 years. What do you know kid? And I'm like, this is what we're doing. And so having to have those long conversations and I used to be a crier like where I would get like, so emotional, you know, like freaking out like panic, like shaking. And I'm like, don't cry, don't cry.  Speaker 4: And so I took this great class from this author. Her name is Jennifer Abrams. She's an educational her, she has a background in education, and it was, it's all about having hard conversations. And she takes you to those steps. You don't have a clear idea of what you want to communicate before you go into the conversation, like already have it in your head, be clear and concise. Like you don't, don't apologize for the fact that you're having this conversation. Like you don't own it. It's not, you lay out the facts had documentation to back up your meeting, practice beforehand, out loud. You can actually hear the words coming out of your mouth. You're not like, you know, you might have practiced them in your head, but actually say them out loud before you go in, take a second person with you, a board member or another leader in your organization. If you're afraid, you won't be able to get through it. And then she said, this is my favorite part. She was like, if you're going to cry, clench, just like collect your booty and the whole back of tears and it'll hold it and then share what you need to share. And I'm like, okay. And I have to tell your work. I haven't cried through a single meeting.  Speaker 3: Wow. That's a very practical tip.  Speaker 4: I know. I just loved it. It was so great. No one has ever shared that.  Speaker 3: That's awesome. Well, finally, what advice would you give to new leaders or anyone who wants to keep growing and gaining more influence?  Speaker 4: I have to say like take every opportunity to get out into the community, to meet new people and to really share your vision for your organization. You know, a lot of leaders are passionate. A lot of new leaders are passionate about their organization, but when they might, they might be too passionate and not listen. That's the one thing, right? Like, you know, you're, you're super passionate, but you don't actually listen to what other people are saying. You're just so worried about getting your words out, so, you know, share your vision, but then also take the time to sit back and listen to what other people are saying. Keep current, make yourself a professional development plan. As we talked, like, what is your professional development plan makes you actually have one be looking to the future? What am I, what am I, what am I struggling in?  Speaker 4: What do I need to work on? And then reflection, reflection is key to growth. You know, did you make a mistake? Did you get, you know, did, did the board sit you down and say, Hey, this is an issue. Okay, it's an issue reflect, how can I, how can I own this? It is my fault. What did I do? How can I fix it? So a way, you know, so I can learn from the future and really just, you know, it's, it's what that reflection is key and owning your mistakes, not being like, well, is that my it's not my fault. You know, they just hate me. They're just out to get me. Well, even if, so, even if that's true, you did hurt someone's feelings. So how can you own that? How can you take it on, how can you move forward and how can you move forward? Not just let it hold you back.  Speaker 3: Good stuff, good stuff. Well, how can our listeners best connect with you and also connect to the programs? All of  Speaker 4: Our events can be found on our website on Instagram and Facebook, which is@retwentyminutes.com.  Speaker 3: Well, thank you again, Elizabeth, for all you do to make the Tri-Cities a great place and keep leading. Well, let me wrap up our podcast today with a leadership resource to recommend it's growing forward service training. I would love to come into your organization, maybe do a lunch and learn, or a couple hours workshop that will help build the leadership skills of your team. So you can resource me@paulcasey.org, and we'll customize something that will fit your schedule and your budget, and sort of beef back up professional development for your, for your people this year. Again, this is Paul Casey. I want to thank my guest Elizabeth Barnes from the children's reading foundation of the mid-Columbia for being here today on the Tri-Cities influencer podcast, we want to thank our TCI sponsors and invite you to support them. We appreciate you making this possible so we can collaborate to help inspire leaders in our community. Finally, one more leadership tidbit for the road to help you make a difference in your circle of influence. It's the great Stephen Covey. He said, listen with the intent to understand not the intent to reply until next time kgs keep growing forward.  Speaker 2: Thank you to our listeners for tuning in to today's show. Paul Casey is on a mission to add value to leaders by providing practical tools and strategies that reduce stress in their lives and on their teams so that they can enjoy life and leadership and experience their desired results. If you'd like more help from Paul and your leadership development, connect with him@growingforwardatpaulcasey.org for a consultation that can help you move past your current challenges and create a strategy for growing your life or your team forward. Paul would also like to help you restore your sanity to your crazy schedule and getting your priorities done every day by offering you is free. Control my calendar checklist, go to WWE dot, take back my calendar.com for that productivity tool or open a text message 2 7 2 0 0 0, and type the word grown  Speaker 3: Tri-Cities influencer podcast was recorded at fuse SPC by Bill Wagner.

Register for our upcoming Having Hard Conversations training with Jennifer Abrams Visit Jennifer's Website, JenniferAbrams.com About the Author Jennifer Abrams is an international educational and communications consultant for public and independent schools, hospitals, universities and non-profits. Jennifer trains and coaches teachers, administrators, and others on new employee support, supervision, being generationally savvy, having hard conversations and collaboration skills.

In Don't @ Me (2:11), Tom discusses why public proclamations of humility are really an attempt to cover up a hidden superiority complex. Then, Tom is joined by Jennifer Abrams (13:15) to discuss how we prepare for (and follow through on) difficult conversations. Finally, in Assessment Corner (1:04:48), Tom explores the research on quality constructed-response items and offers some suggestions specific to extended written responses.   Jennifer Abrams on Twitter: @jenniferabrams Jennifer Abrams on Instagram: @jenniferbethabrams Jennifer Abrams on LinkedIn: Jennifer Abrams Jennifer Abrams on Facebook: Jennifer Abrams Jennifer Abrams Website: www.jenniferabrams.com   Achieve Virtual Institute (August 16-18, 2021)   Email the Podcast: tomschimmerpod@gmail.com Podcast onTwitter: @TomSchimmerPod Tom onTwitter: @TomSchimmer Instagram: tomschimmerpodcast Facebook: Schimmer Education Website: www.tomschimmer.com

Jennifer Abrams shares her thoughts as an educator and the inspiration leading to the writing of several books, including "Having Hard Conversations." She discusses the importance of educators improving their practices and becoming a professional learning community. This transformation involves developing communication skills of individuals to strengthen collaboration of the professional learning community. Jennifer Abrams shares her upcoming book, "Stretching Your Learning Edges: Growing (Up) at Work," to be released on April 30. You can contact Jennifer Abrams and purchase her books through her website, jenniferabrams.com

Formerly a high school English teacher and a new teacher coach in Palo Alto Unified School District (Palo Alto, CA), Jennifer Abrams is currently a communications consultant and author who works with educators and others on new teacher and employee support, being generationally savvy, effective collaboration skills, having hard conversations and creating identity safe workplaces.   Jennifer’s publications include Having Hard Conversations, The Multigenerational Workplace: Communicate, Collaborate & Create Community, Hard Conversations Unpacked - the Whos, Whens and What Ifs, and Swimming in the Deep End: Four Foundational Skills for Leading Successful School Initiatives.  Her upcoming book on being our best selves in our workplaces will be out in 2021.   Jennifer has been invited to keynote, facilitate and coach at schools and conferences worldwide and is honored to have been named one of the “18 Women All K–12 Educators Should Know,” by Education Week’s ‘Finding Common Ground’’ blog.  More about Jennifer’s work can be found at her website, www.jenniferabrams.com, and on Twitter @jenniferabrams. Writing books so you can learn something. There wasn’t a book out there to help me find how to say something. Robert Keegan Author & Psychologist Eliie Drago Severson If your way of meaning-making suits where you’re at, there is no reason to move forward. As a responsible educator, we need to stretch ourselves. We have to know our identities and where we might see bias How our upbringing affects how we perceive work Suspend our certainty Take more responsibility, not just for work product but also how we speak Engage with reciprocity. Build our own resiliency. Recognize how to deal with ambiguity. How to deal with our own emotional issues. How to reconcile how our upbringing affects what we do now? There are limitations to what you are seeing as you wake up in the world. Growthedgecoaching.com It’s like a fish in water. Externalizes the issues. If you mess it up, you clean it up. Framework: I did ____. Here’s why it was wrong: and here’s how I would like to make it right: Peter Bregman “13 Ways We Justify, Rationalize, or Ignore Negative Feedback” Humility and vulnerability of apology and responsibility. The thing that gets in the way is that we are the expert. How to provide accountability when you didn’t know that things were happening? You apologize for the impact. It’s about the shame and the guilt. Suspend certainty. Can we be humane and growth-producing? How to be a transformative principal? Slow down and say “say more”. Sponsors TeachFX Innovative school leaders across the country have started tracking online student participation using TeachFX because it’s one of the most powerful ways to improve student outcomes during COVID — especially for English Learners and students of color. Learn more about TeachFX and get a special offer at TeachFX.com InControl SEL for Middle School In Control created an effortless social and emotional, character development video curriculum for your students that’s ZERO-TEACHER-PREP AND it’s so cool looking- it feels like a Youtube or Netflix Series- and that’s purposeful, they meet students right where they’re at. The videos are 5–6 minutes, kids love them, teachers love them, and you will too. There’s no guesswork in the program because there’s a 21-video progression for each grade level. They’ve thought of everything– because it’s a group of award winning counselors, teachers, and principals that came up with this thing. It’ll help you save tons of time and headaches. Take it from me, it’s time to check that social-emotional learning box, the empty one that’s been keeping you up at night–and it’s time to do it in a meaningful, measurable, magnetic way. If you go to www.InControlSEL.com/jethro you can check out some of the videos and even receive 20% off if you pre-order for next school year John Catt Today’s Transformative Principal sponsor, John Catt Educational, amplifies world-class voices on timeless topics, with a list of authors recognized globally for their fresh perspectives and proven strategies to drive success in modern schools and classrooms. John Catt’s mission is to support high-quality teaching and learning by ensuring every educator has access to professional development materials that are research-based, practical, and focused on the key topics proven essential in today’s and tomorrow’s schools. Learn more about professional development publications that are easy to implement for your entire faculty, and are both quickly digestible and rigorous, by visiting https://us.johncattbookshop.com/. Learn more about some of the newest titles: Michaela: The Power of Culture by Katharine Birbalsingh Teaching WalkThrus: Visual Step-by-Step Guides to Essential Teaching Techniques by Tom Sherrington and Oliver Caviglioli Putting Staff First: A blueprint for revitalising our schools by John Tomsett and Jonny Uttley The Teaching Delusion: Why Teaching In Our Schools Isn’t Good Enough (And How We Can Make It Better) by Bruce Robertson Stop Talking About Wellbeing: A pragmatic approach to teacher workload by Kat Howard John Catt is also proud publisher of the new book from Transformative Principal host Jethro Jones: SchoolX: How principals can design a transformative school experience for students, teachers, parents – and themselves Visit this page to learn more about bulk orders and how to bring John Catt’s research-based materials to your school: https://us.johncattbookshop.com/pages/agents-and-distributors

When we go through disruptions like this it’s a struggle. It’s a struggle to be open to and have hard conversations with ourselves and with our colleagues around the changes that we’re going through. In this free webinar, Jennifer Abrams walks us through important planning strategies to help us authentically engage with the dialogues that challenge us. Learn more and get access to the PDF handout at sospodcast.org

On this week, Jennifer Abrams gives us practical advice on how to engage with necessary conversations. Explore her books: https://jenniferabrams.com/books/ Learn more about ways to learn with her: https://jenniferabrams.com/workshops/ Follow Jennifer Abrams on Twitter: @jenniferabrams

On this episode, Vice-Principal, Ange Molony explores the special ways leaders can help ensure teachers are better prepared to host necessary conversations. In this episode Ange endorses: Adaptive Schools: https://www.thinkingcollaborative.com/seminars/adaptive-schools-seminars/ The work of Jennifer Abrams: https://jenniferabrams.com/workshops/ We also discuss Slate's 'Pre-Woke Viewing' Youtube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2A8c5Yva8Y

Jennifer Abrams shares practical key insights into how we can all use this crazy time of COVID 19 to deepen our understanding of ourselves; knowing our identity, suspending certainty, taking responsibility, working interdependently, and building resiliency. Jennifer is a long time colleague and friend whose work as a communications consultant is in demand around the world. Enjoy. The post Interview with Jennifer Abrams: Making Meaning from COVID19 – Self Reflection appeared first on November Learning.

Jennifer Abrams is an international educational and communications consultant for public and independent schools, hospitals, universities and non-profits. Jennifer trains and coaches teachers, administrators, nurses, hospital personnel, and others on new employee support, supervision, being generationally savvy, having hard conversations and collaboration skills.In Palo Alto USD (Palo Alto, CA), Jennifer led professional development sessions on topics from equity and elements of effective instruction to teacher leadership and peer coaching and provided new teacher and administrator trainings at both the elementary and secondary level. From 2000-2011, Jennifer was lead coach for the Palo Alto-Mountain View-Los Altos-Saratoga-Los Gatos Consortium's Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment Program.In her educational consulting work, Jennifer has presented at annual conferences such as Learning Forward, ASCD, NASSP, NAESP, AMLE, ISACS and the New Teacher Center Annual Symposium, as well as at the Teachers' and Principals' Centers for International School Leadership. Jennifer's communications consulting in the health care sector includes training and coaching work at the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula and Stanford Hospital.Jennifer's publications include Having Hard Conversations, The Multigenerational Workplace: Communicating, Collaborating & Creating Community and Hard Conversations Unpacked – the Whos, the Whens and the What Ifs. Her upcoming book, Swimming in the Deep End: Four Foundational Skills for Leading Successful School Initiatives, will be out March of 2019. Other publications include her chapter, “Habits of Mind for the School Savvy Leader” in Art Costa's and Bena Kallick's book, Learning and Leading with Habits of Mind: 16 Essential Characteristics for Success, and her contribution to the book, Mentors in the Making: Developing New Leaders for New Teachers published by Teachers College Press. Jennifer writes a monthly newsletter, Voice Lessons, available for reading at and subscribing to on her website, www.jenniferabrams.com and is a featured columnist, writing about personal development at www.eschoolnews.com.Jennifer has been recognized as one of “21 Women All K-12 Educators Need to Know” by Education Week's ‘Finding Common Ground' blog, and the International Academy of Educational Entrepreneurship. She has been a featured interviewee on the topic of professionalism for ASCD's video series, Master Class, hosted by National Public Radio's Claudio Sanchez, and in the lead article, “Finding Your Voice in Facilitating Productive Conversations” for Learning Forward's The Leading Teacher, Summer 2013 newsletter; as a generational expert for “Tune in to What the New Generation of Teachers Can Do,” published in Phi Delta Kappan, (May 2011), and by the Ontario Ministry of Education for their Leadership Matters: Supporting Open-to-Learning Conversations video series.Jennifer considers herself a “voice coach,” helping others learn how to best use their voices – be it collaborating on a team, presenting in front of an audience, coaching a colleague, supervising an employee and in her role as an advisor for Reach Capital, an early stage educational technology fund. Jennifer holds a Master's degree in Education from Stanford University and a Bachelor's degree in English from Tufts University. She lives in Palo Alto, California. Jennifer can be reached at jennifer@jenniferabrams.com, www.jenniferabrams.com, and on Twitter @jenniferabrams.

Show notes and more information at leadershiploading.com

Jennifer Abrams is About JenniferJennifer AbramsJennifer Abrams is an international educational and communications consultant for public and independent schools, hospitals, universities and non-profits. She trains and coaches teachers, administrators, nurses, hospital personnel, and others on new employee support, supervision, being generationally savvy, having hard conversations and collaboration skills. Jennifer is the author of Having Hard Conversations and many others. Her most recent book is titled Swimming in the Deep End.

Welcome to the Better Leaders Better Schools  podcast. This is a weekly show is for ruckus makers -- What is a ruckus maker?  A leader who has found freedom from the status quo. A leader looking to escape the old routine. A leader who never, ever gives up. Up next you can hear Daniel Bauer’s interview with his friend Jennifer Abrams. She’s been on the show three times and has a new book out called Swimming in the Deep End.  This book helps leaders escape the old routine.  Keep listening and you’ll learn how to drive change and break from tradition in today’s podcast. We hope you enjoy the podcast. All the highlights, resources, and next steps can be found below. Listen to the full episode here and learn more at betterleadersbetterschools.com   Get To Know Jennifer Jennifer Abrams, a former English teacher and new teacher coach, is currently a communications consultant who works with educators and others on new employee support, being generationally savvy, effective collaboration skills, having hard conversations and creating identity safe workplaces. Jennifer’s publications include Having Hard Conversations, The Multigenerational Workplace: Communicate, Collaborate & Create Community and Hard Conversations Unpacked - the Whos, Whens and What Ifs. Her new book Swimming in the Deep End: Four Foundational Skills for Leading Successful School Initiatives which released March 29th.   Starting School Initiatives Jennifer does not want anyone to feel like they are drowning when they initiate change.  She wants you to build up your ability to swim in the deep end. You may not be able to start in the shallows because an initiative has to happen now and there is an urgency for students.  But you can work with someone or put on floaties to get to the deep end and while you are working in the deep end. “I think that anytime we are working with adults to roll out bigger scale things in a school, in a department or in a district, we are not in the shallow end anymore.  We are looking at some work that requires a little bit more strength, a little bit more skill set and there are times when your feet aren’t touching the ground.” - Jennifer Abrams   4 Foundational Skills Jennifer talks about the 4 foundational skills of how to make change.   Think before you speak How can we understand resistance - don’t mock the concern for change? Respond to resistance in a humane way How do you manage yourself -- self care   Jump In and Swim Jennifer thinks that understanding others is a practical way to start to make change.  Consider if people will push back and say they need more knowledge when you roll things out for the first time.  Ask yourself what is the purpose, who is going to help me, and are they credible, will I be trained, and how does this connect to the culture I signed up for.  People may be more willing to jump into the deep end if these are answered. “If the person who is trying to roll out this initiative can anticipate those and can have answer to those before they start the initiative it might assist in making it more palatable.” - Jennifer Abrams   Slowing Down In Leadership Jennifer encourages everyone to take a half a day with those people that will be in the deep end with you and craft the message that you are all on the same boat it is well worth it.  Get out of your office and take 3 hours and put energy into it so the message is consistent. Unifying is worth your time.   Resources Swimming in the Deep End by Jennifer Abrams Hard Conversations Unpacked by Jennifer Abrams Hard Conversations Unpacked - The Whos, the Whens and the What-Ifs by Jennifer B. Abrams The Multigenerational Workplace:  Communicate, Collaborate, and Create Community by Jennifer Abrams and Valerie Von Frank   Jennifer Abrams Contact Info Website Twitter Monthly Newsletters Read the Better Leaders Better Schools Roadmap   Show Some Love BECOME A PATRON OF THE SHOW FOR AS LITTLE AS $1/MONTH DID YOU LIKE THE SHOW?  iTunes SUBSCRIBE HERE! LEAVE A 5-STAR RATING AND REVIEW   LEVEL UP

Interview Notes, Resources, & LinksGet the book, Swimming in the Deep End: Four Foundational Skills for Leading Successful School InitiativesVisit Jennifer's WebsiteFollow Jennifer on Twitter @JenniferAbramsAbout Jennifer AbramsJennifer Abrams is an international educational and communications consultant for public and independent schools, hospitals, universities and non-profits. Jennifer trains and coaches teachers, administrators, and others on new employee support, supervision, being generationally savvy, having hard conversations and collaboration skills.

This episode is a great one not just for new teachers, but for anyone who works with people (basically everyone then…) In this episode, we'll talk about Jennifer Abrams' work as a voice coach (see her blog for more information) the ins and outs of self-advocating, and speaking up when something is not right. We will also discuss her upcoming book, Swimming in the Deep End.

Jennifer Abrams, is a “voice coach,” who is based in Palo Alto, California. She works as an international educational  and communications consultant for public and independent schools, hospitals, universities and non-profits. In this episode with Angeline Aow, she talks about coaching, voice, relationships and what is means to have hard conversations in a humane way. Jennifer’s publications include Having Hard Conversations, The Multigenerational Workplace and Hard Conversations Unpacked. She is also currently working on a new book and Jennifer writes a monthly newsletter/blog, Voice Lessons, which you can read and subscribing to on her website, www.jenniferabrams.com. You can follow Jennifer, Angeline, and Professional Learning International on Twitter to stay up to date with news, conversations and events.

Jennifer Abrams is the expert at Having Hard Conversations! She and Adam talk about how to plan for them, how to maintain a strong relationships with those that you work, how teachers of different generations need different support, and more! 

1) Wikispaces is going away a) https://blog.wikispaces.com/ b) Did you ever use Wikispace 2) Anchor - A review by Patrick a) https://itbabble.com/2018/02/23/anchor-a-review/ b) Podcasting service 3) Useless technology a) https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2018/2/21/17036762/tap-wearable-keyboard-mouse-price-availability b) What useless technology does your school have? 4) Network monitoring a) Jennifer Abrams - http://jenniferabrams.com/

In this episode, Celisa Steele talks with Jennifer Abrams about hard conversations and the multigenerational workplace, including the impact each of these have on both leading and learning. Jennifer Abrams is an expert in overcoming these challenges and has written various books including, Having Hard Conversations, The Multigenerational Workplace : Communicate, Collaborate, and Create Community, and Hard Conversations Unpacked : The Whos, the Whens, and the What-Ifs. She’s also a communications expert, a designer of professional development, a speaker, and, with a few e-courses under her belt, an entrepreneurial subject matter expert (eSME)—if that term is new to you or you need a refresher, see our related post about the rise of the eSME. Full show notes available at http://www.leadinglearning.com/episode119.  Highlighted Resource – “Unpacking Hard Conversations” – (second video on page) – a Webinar by Jennifer Abrams which offers an in-depth look at the topics she covers in her book, Hard Conversations Unpacked : The Whos, the Whens, and the What-Ifs. Thank you to Blue Sky eLearn, sponsor of the Leading Learning podcast for the first quarter of 2018. Blue Sky is the maker of the Path learning management system, an award-winning, cloud-based learning solution that empowers your organization to maximize its message. Blue Sky also provides a range of virtual event and instructional services to help you maximize your content and create deeper engagement with your audience. To find out more about Blue Sky eLearn and everything it offers, visit http://www.blueskyelearn.com.

FETC 2018

LEADERSHIP SKILLS FOR ASPIRING AND EMERGING LEADERS Returning guest Jennifer Abrams  on swimming in the deep end for school leaders and  Learn what it takes to be a master administrator.

TER #103 - Having Hard Conversations with Jennifer Abrams - 12 Nov 2017 by Teachers' Education Review

On this episode, I hangout with Jennifer Abrams and we chat about the kinds of communication that is most effective at developing people.

Jennifer Abrams is an international educational and communications consultant for public and independent schools, hospitals, universities and non-profits. Jennifer trains and coaches teachers, administrators, nurses, hospital personnel, and others on new employee support, supervision, being generationally savvy, having hard conversations and effective collaboration skills. http://jenniferabrams.com/

The Transformative Leadership Summit is going to be amazing this year. I hope you enjoy this short teaser. Please sign up here: Click Here to Learn More

Jennifer considers herself a “voice coach,” helping others learn how to best use their voices – be it collaborating on a team, presenting in front of an audience, coaching a colleague, supervising an employee.   Jennifer has been recognized as one of “18 Women All K-12 Educators Need to Know” by Education Week’s “Finding Common Ground” blog, and the International Academy of Educational Entrepreneurship’s 2015 Entrepreneur of the Year.   Jennifer’s publications include Having Hard Conversations, The Multigenerational Workplace: Communicating, Collaborating & Creating Community and Hard Conversations Unpacked – the Whos, the Whens and the What Ifs   Jennifer Abrams initially was my guest on EP036   Jennifer Abrams Show Highlights: How schools encourage "get out" thinking and acting? How to make different choices in their work What the shift from teaching to leading in school requires Why pushing and wanting to be fixed is the problem Here is how to grow adults Playing in the deep end of the pool What is collective efficacy? What the Ministry of Education learned from talking to their principals Jennifer’s process for writing Why "slowing down” and "don’t push” is unhelpful   Jennifer Abrams's Resources: Jennifer’s website (and get the newsletter) Farnam Street Blog Shane Parrish Conference? Tell me so I can hear you (book)  How the way we talk can change the way we work Global dexterity Hard conversations unpacked   Contact Twitter Contact Jennifer for a free consultation     Join my hybrid group coaching & leadership development community Text BETTERMASTERMIND to 33444 Create winning cultures Focus on the essential Lead with courage & integrity    BECOME A PATRON OF THE SHOW FOR AS LITTLE AS $1/MONTH DID YOU LIKE THE SHOW?  iTunes SUBSCRIBE HERE! SHOW SOME LOVE: PLEASE LEAVE A 5-STAR RATING AND REVIEW Grab your FREE 15 Phrases of Effective School Leaders  Text PHRASES to 33444 or click the link above.   Website :: Facebook :: Insta :: Twitter :: LinkedIn   SHOW SPONSORS: SCHOOL SPIRIT VENDING Hassle-free, year-round fundraising for your school. With School Spirit Vending, we do all the work, you just cash the check Increase school spirit with custom stickers for your school and raise funds at the same time -no upfront costs, no volunteers, no selling Sick of the same old ways of raising money for your school? Let School Spirit Vending's hassle-free, year-round fundraising program supplement the other fundraisers you're already doing.

Jennifer Abrams spent over 20 years in the Palo Alto School District as a lead coach and is currently an author and international education and communications consultant for public and independent schools, hospitals, universities and non-profits. Jennifer trains and coaches teachers, administrators, nurses, hospital personnel, and others on new employee support, supervision, on working effectively with different generations, having hard conversations and effective collaboration skills. Jennifer has also been recognized as one of “18 Women All K-12 Educators Need to Know” by Education Week. Connect with Jennifer on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jenniferabrams Jennifer's website: http://jenniferabrams.com/ Jennifer's book Having Hard Conversations on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Having-Hard-Conversations-Jennifer-Abrams   About EducatorsLead: Educators Lead is a podcast created to help launch educators into the next level of leadership. This show is for you if you are interested in educational leadership as an assistant principal, principal, superintendent, teacher or someone who hopes to be a school leader one day. Educators Lead offers inspiration and practical advice to help you lead more effectively. Jay Willis interviews school leaders weekly to discuss why and when these educators made the decision to move into school leadership, challenges along the journey, and stories that made it all worthwhile. Educators Lead is a great resource for any educator looking to make a greater impact. Educate. Inspire. Lead. http://www.educatorslead.com

Jennifer Abrams joins Justin Baeder to discuss her book, Hard Conversations Unpacked: The Whos, the Whens, and the What-Ifs.Interview Notes, Resources, & Links Purchase Jennifer's book, Hard Conversations Unpacked: The Whos, the Whens, and the What-Ifs.Visit Jennifer's WebsitePurchase David Rock's book, Your Brain at Work: Strategies for Overcoming Distraction, Regaining Focus, and Working Smarter All Day LongAbout Jennifer AbramsJennifer Abrams is an independent educational consultant who provides trainings, coaching, program design and consultative support to schools, and other organizations in the areas of:New employee supportSupervision and evaluationHaving hard conversationsBeing generationally savvy andCreating collaborative cultures.Jennifer considers herself to be a "voice coach," helping others develop their identities and skill sets to best use their voices in a variety of professional environments

This episode is the Live Q&A that Daniel and I did for the Transformative Leadership Summit this week. I hope you enjoy it.  The Transformative Leadership Summit launched last Monday. Please, join me! Click HERE to register for Free Access to over 40 amazing education leaders who are ready to make your school the best ever! You don’t want to miss any of these amazing interviews. They’ll be online for 48 hours only! Get in here! You can even get college credit for your participation in the Summit!  Here's the schedule:  08/01/2016 Monday: Launch party, Will Parker, Brad Gustafson - Expired 08/02/2016 Tuesday: Kimberly Miles, Jeff Zoul, and Daniel Bauer - Expired 08/03/2016 Wednesday: Kendra Washington-Bass, Kyle Palmer, Robert Dillon - Expired 08/04/2016 Thursday: Live Q&A, Jennifer Abrams, Jonathon Wennstrom - Expired 08/05/2016 Friday: Amy Fast, Jethro Jones, Glenn Robbins - Expired 08/06/2016 Saturday: Geri Parscale, Anne Beninghof, Mike Kelly 08/07/2016 Sunday: Bill Ziegler, Clayton Reedie, Vicki Davis 08/08/2016 Monday: Mary McMahon, Doug Timm, Mark Modesti 08/09/2016 Tuesday: Justin Baeder, Neil Gupta, Mike Anderson 08/10/2016 Wednesday: Don Wettrick, Emily Drake, Damon Hargraves 08/11/2016 Thursday: Jen Gonzalez, Eric Connor, Paul Erickson 08/12/2016 Friday: Rob Carroll and Stacey Keown, Erika Mortensen and Christina Lufrano and Rosa Isiah 08/13/2016 Saturday: LaVonna Roth, Marlena Gross-Taylor and a surprise guest! 08/14/2016 Sunday: John Linney, Sean Gaillard and one other surprise guest to close out the conference! 08/15/2016 Closing Keynote with Jethro and Daniel This Summit is EPIC! Sign up today!  

In just one week, the biggest and best leadership conference for educational leaders starts! Please join me to hear from over 30 experts in leadership and education as we set the stage for our best school year ever! CLICK HERE to sign up. Rachel Yanof started the Phoenix Collegiate Academy with the express intent to get all the students to college. I hope you enjoy this interview, as I sure did. First time I confronted the idea that kids could go to a college or not. Trusting the system could make it so the kids don’t get what they need. Building Excellent Schools 97% receiving free and reduced lunch. 90%+ minority Find families through being in their area Every parent has dreams for their child. Homework Overcommunicate Parents need to be involved in education, active participant. Mandatory parent orientation, come to us or we will come to you because it is that important that you are part of the team. Homework is assigned every night. Not a secret what is happening in school. Perseverance, respect, integrity, discipline, endurance. PRIDE Report - Tracking positive and negative consequences at school. Parents come in every quarter for conferences. 100% participation in conferences. Flipped model in the high school. Communication-focus in lower grades. Don't forget to sign up for the Transformative Leadership Summit which starts in just one week! Don't miss any of the awesome presenters including LaVonna Roth, Jennifer Abrams, Neil Gupta, Glenn Robbins, Vicki Davis, and many more! CLICK HERE to sign up! Loading… Please take a moment to rate this podcast in iTunes or on Stitcher.  Please follow me on Twitter: @jethrojones for the host and @TrnFrmPrincipal for the show. Buy Communication Cards Show notes on TransformativePrincipal.com Download Paperless Principal.   Sponsor: Sanebox Web Site Transformative Principal on Stitcher Refer A Principal Best Tools for Busy Administrators Survey

Better Leaders Better Schools guest Jennifer Abrams is an international educational and communications consultant for public and independent schools, hospitals, universities and non-profits. Jennifer trains and coaches teachers, administrators, nurses, hospital personnel, and others on new employee support, supervision, being generationally savvy, having hard conversations and effective collaboration skills.    Jennifer considers herself a “voice coach,” helping others learn how to best use their voices - be it collaborating on a team, presenting in front of an audience, coaching a colleague, supervising an employee. Jennifer holds a Master’s degree in Education from Stanford University and a Bachelor’s degree in English from Tufts University.    In this episode you will learn: to say YES a lot steps to becoming authentic the importance of meditation and quiet how to become softer and gentler why being too credible can be a problem difference between clarification conversations and hard conversations have you thought through what you really want from people? how to give growth producing and humane connections the real misunderstanding between a multi-generational workplace   Resources   Jennifer’s Website   Contact Jennifer   Follow Jennifer on Twitter   Hard Conversations Unpacked: The Who’s, the Whens, and the What-Ifs by Jennifer Abrams   Clarity First; Accountability Follows by Jennifer Abrams   Planning Productive Talk by Jennifer Abrams   Tell Me So I Can Hear You: A Developmental Approach to Feedback for Educators by Drago-Severson & Blum-DeStefano                          Do you need accountability? Text BETTERMASTERMIND to 33444 Daniel wants to work with you and help you accelerate your leadership development and increase your impact.   Follow Me and Get Behind the Scenes Access on SNAPCHAT!!!   BECOME A PATRON OF THE SHOW FOR AS LITTLE AS $1/MONTH DID YOU LIKE THE SHOW?  iTunes SUBSCRIBE HERE! SHOW SOME LOVE: PLEASE LEAVE A 5-STAR RATING AND REVIEW Grad your FREE 15 Phrases of Effective School Leaders  Text PHRASES to 33444 or click the link above.   Website :: Facebook :: Insta :: Twitter :: LinkedIn    

Jennifer Abrams joins Justin Baeder to discuss her book, Having Hard Conversations.Interview Notes, Resources, & LinksPurchase Jennifer's book, Having Hard ConversationsAbout Jennifer AbramsJennifer Abrams is an independent educational consultant who provides trainings, coaching, program design and consultative support to schools, and other organizations in the areas of:New employee supportSupervision and evaluationHaving hard conversationsBeing generationally savvy andCreating collaborative cultures.Jennifer considers herself to be a “voice coach,” helping others develop their identities and skill sets to best use their voices in a variety of professional environments