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.
Most Teams Avoid This Level of Leadership… But They Didn’t.
As we worked together, it became clear their mission truly matters. You could hear it in how they spoke about their work and the people they serve. Their commitment went beyond tasks or initiatives. It was rooted in impact, in people, and in something larger than any one individual.
Tell Me Something Good: Anthony Elementary
A testimonial about the great work we are seeing from educators at Anthony Elementary at Chaparral USD 361
The Joy of Reading: Why the Best Reward is No Reward at all
When I was in the classroom, I started a tradition called “Free Read Friday.” My goal was simple: I wanted my students to walk into the room and enjoy 53 uninterrupted minutes of reading something they genuinely loved.
It was a success. The kids knew exactly what to expect and they arrived (mostly) prepared. Even the students who claimed to dislike reading showed up with something to dive into. It became a highlight of the week. Not just for them, but for me, too.
At the time, I took a little flack from a few colleagues who questioned the "academic rigor" of just letting kids read. But looking back, I’m glad I trusted my instincts. As it turns out, the science of motivation supported the practice.
The Off-the-Clock Leader Doesn’t Exist
Think about it: If you’re holding a cup and someone jars your arm, you spill coffee everywhere. Why? You might blame the person who bumped you, but it’s simpler than that. You spilled coffee because coffee was in the cup. If there had been tea inside, you would have spilled tea. The bump is a catalyst, but the contents become our responsibility.
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.