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.
Look for the Glimmers
What is a Glimmer Moment?
A "glimmer moment" is a term that refers to small, fleeting experiences or sensations that bring a sense of calm, safety, or joy. These moments are the opposite of "triggers," which are experiences that can evoke negative emotions or stress.
Discovering Your Teen's Hidden Strengths: A Parent’s Guide
Imagine being a teenager today: navigating a world where every swipe and scroll stacks up against them, making them question if they’re smart enough, talented enough, or simply “enough.” Many teens struggle with the pressure to measure up. They watch their peers excel and wonder, “Why is it so easy for them, but so hard for me?” In school, they might feel like their teachers are disappointed in them or even don’t like them, mistaking feedback as a judgment on who they are, not just how they’re doing.
Quick Read, Long Ponder About Accountability
When a teacher tells me they want their kids to take more accountability, more responsibility, the first thing I look for in their classroom is how often the academic conversation is between teacher - students only vs students - students.
When kids talk freely and willingly about academics (not just chit-chat) with one another, they're actually building trust and community in one another.
Back to Basics Through Engaged Education
Kids find their school life boring. Don't believe me? Ask them. Go ahead. Ask a recent graduate to pick out one word that describes her schooling experience. More than likely that word will be boring.
Of course students will remember bright spots that usually surround a special event, their friends, or even memories that have to do with an elective or extracurricular interest.
The Kids are Alright
Few things chap my hide more than the classic grumbling "kids these days" complaint, especially from those who don’t work with these kids every day. There's a pervasive idea that today's youth are somehow inferior but how many of us remember the “old folks” telling us Gen X-ers what a great generation we were? It didn’t happen back then and it never will. But as an educator, these comments often prompt an eye roll that I perfected during my own teenage years.
Anchors: The Symphony of Healing
Life, with all its beautiful and challenging high notes and low notes, is a journey and experience that is unique to each individual. It is filled with moments of joy, obstacles to overcome, love, sadness, and a myriad of emotions that serenade our daily lives. While we often embrace and melodically cruise through the calm, relaxing moments, it is the doubt-filled, sad, angry, and stress inducing moments we find most challenging and disruptive.