On February 4th, I attended and presented at the AAGT annual conference in Phoenix. The theme for this year's conference, Taking our students from proficiency to.... Infinity and Beyond!", seemed to be about the importance of addressing the needs of the "whole child". Sound familiar? If you've been in education for more than 10 years it probably does. Dr. Olenchak's keynote speech made me want to jump out of my seat in spontaneous applause as he put data and research behind the notion that children's social-emotional health is imperative to their academic success. I've always known this and felt this in my core, and therefore became a life coach to address it. But, to have this idea so enthusiastically and professionally shared at a state level conference was tremendously validating.
"We are human beings, not humans doing" is a phrase I first heard in Coach for Life training in 2005. I still try to remember this daily as I get swept into the current of life and all of it's hustle and bustle. We need to place the essence of who we are at the fulcrum of all of our decisions, choices, and actions. I'm so thrilled to think that this notion may be gaining momentum in the world of education.... again.
Sincerely,
Tricia
p.s. Please check out the following great resources for parents:
Registation is open for this year's Parenting High Ability Children Conference for you and the kids! www.aagtparentday.com
"Christine Carter & the Greater Good Science Center"
