I thought this piece would be of interest to those interested in student success and trauma -- as well as the game of Stratego (and lessons related to it). Comments welcomed as always.

Now is a scary time for children -- for many reasons of which the recent school shooting is but one. How to conquer fears and travel to new places and find solutions: these are all strategies that will help children. This Thanksgiving, consider giving this book (Lady Lucy's Ghost Quest) to the family; it's based on a real mansion in VT. It will inspire. It can be read again and again. Order from www.northshire.com for the best price and for the best shipping. (@Amazon takes months) Enjoyed by all ages -- from 3 to 300. …see more

At Verizon Center in DC watching former SVC coach @danengelstad coach The Mount. His team is way improved — on both ends of the court. He was my best hire as a college president for sure and for real. A truly remarkable coach — and mentor. Go Dan. Go Mount St. Mary’s. Look forward to the season. You do The Mount proud. …see more

Good Morning message from Wrinkles: remember he is a basset hound guided by his nose — he thinks these words (and image) might improve work performance today (and every day): Wake up and smell the flowers. …see more

I just read an article in InsideHigherEd about the 15 new incoming students at Hampshire College. IHE referenced a Boston Globe article describing the feelings of these students and those who chose to attend elsewhere. Because Hampshire is struggling, they limited 1st yr enrollment. And of those accepted, only 15 students deposited. Reflecting on small entry classes, why is it necessarily a bad idea to be one of those students and for some, it cld be beneficial. Start w/ this: the students know the institution is struggling. They chose to go to an institution that is free spirited and now working to solve fiscal issues. Might that be like an adventure for some? A bonding experience? Being a part of something bigger? Pursuing new pathway in higher ed? Isn’t that the Hampshire way? Anti-complacency? Yes, it might be a costly student experiment—financially and otherwise. But, this is not pro forma college with consistency; this is like an entrepreneur’s start up. I raise this because I’m still struggling to save a small college that wld clearly need a soft reboot. I don’t think all students wld avoid that. Some might like the effort, energy, commitment. Just saying: small entry classes aren’t all bad. These 15 students are bold and brave. Bravo/brava. Rainbows. …see more

I want to share a concept in my new book on trauma that is counter-intuitive. When disasters strike like shootings at schools/colleges, we often go on lockdown and then release kids to families or older students to their dorms or homes. We even shut down institutions. If the end of a school year is upon us, we wrap things up and folks depart. I think more attention needs to be paid to what I call “processing in place.” Instead of separating people, we need to focus on and foster community. Instead of going away, we need to go back and share with those who were there. Ponder the experience of soldiers when they get stateside and lose their buddies. Is that why vet suicides occur at VA hospital sites—the soldier is with others like them in some sense? In the case of UNC-Charlotte, the end of the semester is not trauma’s friend. Perhaps the university will extend the semester, allowing students, faculty and staff to process in place — if they want that. How we process in place isn’t a simple idea and if space is tainted, that’s problematic. More on those points later. But you can’t process in place if you aren’t in place — physically or perhaps virtually. Ponder the power of processing in place with me. …see more

I have often thought rich colleges could partner with less wealthy colleges — sort of academic adoption. When endowment size was an issue that threatened their continuance, I thought this was an idea: invest in a neighboring small colleges and help them thrive and now survive. No takers. Williams wasn’t interested when I asked and their president then (not Morty Shapiro) showed overt disdain. I actually chatted with famous Yale endowment advisor (Swensen) and he saw merit. That said, the rich get richer. And small colleges that serve communities and students who are not going to elite colleges for any number of reasons, get poorer. Sure, some small colleges are not being innovative and creative. I still believe SVC can be saved and I continue to pursue different avenues regardless of naysayers. Giving up isn’t in my vocabulary. SVC didn’t train nurses and Rad techs to give up on patients. We didn’t give up on students who struggled. So, why give up on SVC? Bravo to the author! …see more

So, April the Giraffe is giving birth and thousands are fascinated as nature takes its course and nature’s beauty abounds. People by the thousands are glued to the giraffe cam. And there’s running comments on a feed. April has the patience and calm of a saint; her partner Oliver is pacing. In a world of bad news, this is of value and absent a medical disaster, a new giraffe will grace our presence soon. As this is happening, I am working to birth (save) a college — Southern Vermont College. Unlike April, I am not patient and the birthing is filled with hurdles and mistruths that can’t be cured by the peppermint and pickles April is getting. But, I’m not giving up. And I won’t go down w/o a fight despite all the naysayers. Don’t get me started on the misstatements. Makes my blood boil. And folks are watching to see if this college can be birthed/saved. They are watching closely as they should. There’s no cam to capture the efforts but they exist for sure and for real. Here’s a thought. If April gives birth today, that’s a sign perhaps of another birth today. Both the new giraffe and college will need nurturing and stability and care. Both can get that. Here’s hoping today is a good birth day amidst the frenzied and frightening stories about college admissions. …see more

Consider attending or reading about this conference: the Creating Trauma Sensitive School Conference in Washington DC Feb. 17 --19th. I am speaking about reopening schools post disaster on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. And I am displaying some of my adult and children's books and compilations with teachers tips as well. Come join in and learn about how to help more students succeed. Disasters are not going away. Help can ameliorate the devastation. https://lnkd.in/eddVQbf …see more

Former football player Rae Caruth is being released from prison. He served 19 years. While in prison, he wrote this poem. I wonder if we can get it to others who think about wrongdoing and the price we pay, and it also gives us insight into the feelings of immigrants and their children who are detained --- in their case, the only crime being seeking a new home without legal permission in most cases. Hardly the equivalent of murder. "Carruth’s poem began: Think about how many times you’ve been to the zoo Ever wonder how it would feel if one of the animals were you? It ended: I bet you’ve never sensed the animals’ pain, humility or rage Because it’s impossible to conceive unless you’ve lived on both sides of the cage." …see more

Read this. It gives me hope. And perhaps integrity has not fallen out of the dictionary after all. Then and again, the threshold for hope is low.

I just read this absolutely beautiful, honest and heart warming and heart wrenching piece written by the amazing Carrie Froese. It's titled the Magnitude of Motherhood.  Here's a link ( https://lnkd.in/d2SutnN ). Here's my response: What an absolutely beautiful piece. Heartwarming, heart wrenching and honest to its core. I used to worry about my son dying -- for no particular reason. I just worried because life was and is filled with danger. And, I could not imagine much worse fate than losing a child, except perhaps a child losing a parent when the child is young. Now, my relationship with my adult son is strained for many reasons, some valid and others not. But, as Mother's Day approaches I know this: there really is no love like a mother's for her child (or children). And, one hopes that as a parent, one gives one's child both roots and wings as the saying goes. And, one more thought on Mother's Day, for the children who don't have mothers or have mothers who don't care sufficiently or are psychologically absent: don't despair. There may be no biological substitute but there are many of us more than willing to be "parents" or "mentors" or surrogate mothers if, as and when needed. That's worth remembering too. …see more

Given how some leaders are struggling and some vacancies, this suggestion is worth considering in the right situations.

So, after the fortune cookie message (glad many of you read about it), I am now starting Day 5. So far, I've had many realizations, some obvious; others less so. Here's a wee sampling: 1.  Nations may speak the same language (in this case English) but there remain remarkable cultural differences notwithstanding. And some terms are different too: Q-tips are cotton buds is a fun example.  Take Sunday. It is really a day of rest. Many stores and restaurants were closed on and off campus. A day of reflection. I see that cultural sensitivity is needed every minute.  2.  I am apparently hyper-sensitive to being an American given our politics and President. Case in point. I misplaced my hair brush in the move (small but impt. item). I decided a beauty salon was a good place to go to buy a replacement and found one a short car ride from campus.  When they rang up the charges, the brush was over $27 US. Trust me, it was not a fancy brush. I suggested something was wrong with the price and while they were re-assessing the price for me agreeing that it seemed high, I added: "I may be an American but I am not stupid." Really, I said that. Yipes. More as the stay progresses.  I am already seeing that the academic literature read across nations differs vastly. …see more

Story is a good one and increased Pell enrollees is commendable. But, even if every Ivy were to do this, there would be more than 7 million Pell students attending other, non-elite colleges. Shouldn't that group get media attention? Seems we have a fetish with the elites -- in all arenas. Yet, for many students, the Ivys are not ideal educational start points. Can't anyone see that? Look at new work on non-grads and homeless students and hungry students. They matter. They exist in high numbers. …see more

Here is a worthy piece on the importance of a continuous set of interventions to enable first gen low income student success.   https://lnkd.in/dysMFAf .   Consider reading it now -- in advance of the Oct. 17th event described below too. Many of the points are reflected in and supported by book, Breakaway Learners.  Program on that book is being held at Columbia Teachers College on Oct 17 at 4:00.  Important opportunity to focus on student success in light of current horrors -- natural and unnatural -- in our world.  Strategies and in the trenches examples will be shared and discussed.  We will be learning about lasticity -- a key new concept -- that is different from and broader than grit and resilience. Send in RSVP please. Look forward to seeing you there. …see more

Working with the amazing DH on alliteration. He's at Pownal Elementary. This is inspired by Lady Lucy's Quest and is our holiday message using the letter H in particular: Santa has a hairy beard and he hugs his elves and hands amazing cards to his Christmas helpers named Alfie and Axil. The elves have happiness written all over them and Santa says: Ho ho ho. Happy Holidays to all. …see more

Four tough issues for kids post election that need to be explained by someone (whether at home or in school or after school: (1) why do we have an electoral college? Kids think you get the most votes, you win (not a silly idea); (2) Why would someone be nasty to so many people and get away with it? and (3) Why does he keep changing his mind? and (4) Will any of my friends be sent away from the US -- or not allowed to work? Sadly, voting is not enough and does not answer these important questions. …see more

Please read this. It is even more poignant given all the current news in US. And, it signals something really important about community and education and who are our educators. Yes, the students helped the janitor. But, the janitor has been a remarkable educator for the students. Reciprocity is key -- on many levels and in many situations and for many people. Other campuses can learn from this too. …see more

Thank you LinkedIn community for sending me messages asking how I'm doing in #Italy . I've been chronicling what it's like to live in Italy's Red Zone through a diary and reporting. So far, I'm one of few Black women reporting on-the-ground in a crisis zone on @arkrepublic. Please follow me and take notes on how you can navigate, what to do and what to expect as other countries pass mandatory or modified quarantine. Know that I'm okay and no this is not a good ole boys club. #newsmedia #journalists #localnews #newsroom . #digitalmedia #journalism …see more