Welcome to the Duck Pond Blog!
Your go-to source for all things education, trauma-informed, leadership, and beyond!
Our experts share some of their favorite tools, strategies, resources, and suggestions.
The Hidden Power of a Simple Conversation
I’ve spent years in the classroom, and I know the feeling. The day is a whirlwind of instructions: "Get in line." "Time to clean up." "Stop that." We are constantly talking, but sometimes, it feels like we aren't truly connecting.
Why Leaders Grow by Falling in the Same Hole — Again
This whole beautiful, messy journey of becoming more self-aware requires mistakes and then learning from them. The less justification for our catabolic responses, the more we’re able to change.
Tell Me Something Good- Haysville Learning Cafe
This is why we do this. Because behind every phone call is a student with a story, a dream hanging in the balance. And when the right people say yes, that dream turns into a diploma—and a doorway to everything that comes next.
Top 10 Reasons for Your School to Join Our Crisis Team Consortium
If there’s one universal truth about working in schools, it’s this: stuff happens. Sometimes it’s the “Oh no, we need more paper towels in the cafeteria” kind of stuff. And sometimes… it’s bigger. The ESSDACK Crisis Team Consortium exists for those bigger moments; the ones that need preparation, support, and a community of experts who don’t flinch when things get messy.
We’re here to help you prevent crisis where you can, respond skillfully when you can’t, and recover with strength afterward. And yes, there will be snacks.
Between the Garden and the Treehouse: A Leadership Perspective
School and district leaders often find themselves caught in the whirlwind of the day-to-day—navigating meetings, addressing urgent issues, supporting staff, and keeping everything moving forward. While this constant motion may feel productive, it can cloud long-term vision and strategic clarity.