As a former college president who focuses #trauma 's impact on students, I strongly encourage #educators to reopen (carefully) closed #healthcare programs in undergrad/grad schools#nursingg, #RespiratoryTherapists , PAs, LNAs, physical therapists, medical and osteopathic programs. We can’t do w/o these graduates. We need to get them licensed and if we can compress their education (as was done in wartime) and maintain quality, all the better. We need them in hospitals, nursing homes, ships, rehab centers, home care, emergency rooms, clinics, offices, tents. Time is a wastin'. We can find innovative ways to do clinicals and rotations and experiential opportunities with technology, AI, 5G. …see more

Here’s promised post w/ a few strategies (among many) to help educators help students deal w/ COVID-19 threats including diminishing the possible traumatizing effect, even in absence of attack on known individuals. A caveat: if schools close, that raises a host of issues not addressed here. 1. Don’t pretend virus doesn’t exist by hiding reality. Being honest is key. How one expresses that honesty is a different issue. 2. Do activities at start of class to lower autonomic nervous system; these should involve the senses. 3. Consider pop-up courses for older students (short courses; small groups) and accurate activities on viruses for younger students. Some pop up course suggestions: a) What is a pandemic (note word panic w/in it) and when have they occurred in US?; b) Are masks helpful in preventing disease spread; if so, for whom?; and c) Is quarantine the best strategy for disease containment? What does quarantine entail? For younger students, consider these activities: a) Draw what viruses (any virus) looks like to you? Draw how it looks for real under microscope? Color images; b) What are vaccines and who creates them? List current vaccines. Note these topics don’t address COVID-19 virus head on; that’s purposeful. Knowledge is power as is stability and structure. …see more

There was a recent article in the NYTimes about the work done (or not done) by an ER doctor and the ER in general. The author cites a study undertaken at Yale’s ER that enabled the doctors and staff to do home visits to prevent repeat ER visits. The point was this expanded role actually saved time and money and enabled improved patient care. Motto was no longer “up (into hospital bed) or out (leaving ER). There was connection and intervention. And it improved revisits by 50%. In my new book, Trauma Does Not Stop at the School Door, I make a similar argument about educators. We need to expand our role; we can’t be content to be deliverers of content in a classroom. I get that this will bother some, especially university professors. But ask: Isn’t the goal of educators to enable student success? Isn’t the role of ER personnel to enable patient health? Times have changed. #educationreform means that the scope of roles and thinking about our roles narrowly may not serve those we serve. Ponder that as we approach 2020. Book will be released by TC Press in June 2020. …see more

As a former college president, this article makes me sick to my stomach. I ache for the students and the community. Where was the help when needed? In my new book, Educating for Trauma (@TCPress 2020), I identify trauma symptomology. The "perfect" student with unbelievable capacity to engage can be overregulared and struggling mightily. But we don't see the behavior as a cover. We see it as truth. We need to become better trauma-sensitive and trauma responsive educators. We cannot wait. It is already late. For real. For sure. https://lnkd.in/eB6Nmxz #suicide #trauma #symptomology …see more

One thing to add: books are all trauma sensitive, which makes them extra special for all children. And for untraumatized kids, a rising tide lifts all boats!!!

If you live in DC, particularly Foggy Bottom/ Georgetown, visit Fabulous Market on Pennsylvania (near 24th and bus stop), stop in and get a coffee and buy some of my children’s books. See location!!! I like the idea of neighborhood sales. Happy to personalize and sign if you leave book and a note. For me, reading to kids or giving away books to kids in need are essential gifts. If you are a pediatrician or a family doc, I like the idea of having books kids can take home when they visit the office. Way better for you than a lollipop. My newest books are now there and most are on Amazon: Lady Lucy’s Ghost Quest and We See You/Te Vemos (bilingual and not yet on Amazon) and Are You a Giraffe. New books coming for holidays!!! Kids will enjoy them all (so will adults!). …see more

So I am reading to kids, dressed up as a ghost, at Molly Stark Elementary School in Bennington VT. Excited to be back. I’m reading my newest book in Lady Lucy series: Lady Lucy’s Ghost Quest. Apt to release it on Halloween!!! But, there are real ghosts that haunt me over SVC’s closure, the location of the Lady Lucy Ghost Quest because there really are ghosts in the Everett Mansion. I think that lies/ bad acts circle round to haunt those who generated them — like ghosts. Even faraway travel isn’t an eraser. I had to threaten one former leader with a lawsuit for lying! There was blindness of those in power to the realities of the college’s true state and inability to develop timely creative solutions — not just throwing $$. I get that college’s fail. Some shouldn’t ... SVC needed quality folks in power who reached out for quality help early. They had to share the situation and issues with guarantors, lenders and prior leaders; could have saved SVC. So, as I look at the book I wrote, stunningly illustrated by Dianne Sunda, I smile at the children’s tale but have more than a twinge of sadness/anger. The book serves as SVC’s obituary. Truth and ghosts do prevail in due time. Yes, there are profound messages here for other businesses in trouble. Tell the truth! …see more

I’m sitting at Dulles Airport on my way to Okinawa, not exactly proximate. So awaiting 1st leg at Gate Z10 (who even knew Z gates existed?), I read 3 separate articles in NYTimes that are intertwined and message on leadership. Start with this from an interview of Prof. Anita Hill. She states: “Leadership at the top, on any issue, in any institution, is what changes the game.” Then turn to piece on p. B7 about mistakes.The author observed that we stick to things that don’t work (ed leaders of failing colleges, wake up!) because of “commitment bias.”We cling to prior behavior because our egos don’t like to be embarrassed. Then turn to piece on Boeing on p. B6 where Boeing CEO said company made a “mistake” relative to handling of the absent warning light in some Max jets. It kept problem secret. Now combine these pieces. Boeing made a set of errors. Surely that showed commitment bias. Change requires a new leader. Bottom line: Boeing’s leader isn’t for change. Colleges w/ leaders who replicate past approaches are doomed. Boards need to get a change leader if they want change, someone who’ll overcome commitment bias. It took 3 articles to make 1 key point: fire leaders who aren’t change agents when you need change.Otherwise you will have a paper house, like one pictured. …see more

June 1st is International Children's Day. Come join me at The Cookery in Shirlington on Saturday June 1 from noon onward. Two new children's books I just completed will be released: Are You a Giraffe? and Flying Umbrellas and Red Boats. A portion of sales go to Save the Children. There will be a reading and signing, and the books are fun and engaging -- good for summer travel and to prevent summer melt. See you there. It promises to be fun. And, some of the books are in Spanish -- a treat for those who speak or are learning the language. Laugh2Learn. …see more

I have an idea. You know how the Aspen Institute has its five best ideas for the day? Well, I have one. Weather reporters should have a window in their office/studio. That way, they can actually see the weather they are reporting. This morning, a station said there was no rain. Really? Stick your head out the window or walk the dog. It was and still is raining. Seems to me this is an easy fix. Ask weather folks to look out the window. Then they might be reporting the actual weather. Just saying. …see more

So, waiting 4 #april 2 give birth. I think I saw the baby kick her tummy wall. She’s calm. I’m birthing a children’s book abt #giraffe playing off animal identification and using Lady Lucy character. Due May 23 and I am not calm!

Thought this might be of interest to anyone who has tried to read a car manual. And yes, there is an educational message or two or three embedded in there. https://lnkd.in/dNS5esi . Comments welcomed as always.

The idea that there will not be any impact is meritless. The question is how to deal with the reality of what is inevitable. Also, watch for two related forthcoming pieces -- one on pop-up courses in IHE and the other on the impact on K--12 education. Thoughts welcome as always. https://lnkd.in/eGceRhe …see more

Wonderful video about the Lady Lucy Laugh Giraffe Journey. Special thanks to Maria for her presence and talent. Smile, learn about helping kids get ready for school -- exercising their reading muscles in a fun way, while doing good by helping save giraffe from extinction.  Enjoy.  Auction site:  https://lnkd.in/e-yktvP . Phleasssse....... …see more

Prepare for World Giraffe Day tomorrow -- longest day for the tallest creature.  Work to save giraffe from extinction.  Tweeting out jokes and facts on giraffe every 20 minutes for three hours starting at 7:30 a.m. EST. Join the fun and look at Lady Lucy's Laugh Giraffe Journey, the newest book in the Lady Lucy series. www.ladylucysquest.com .  Enjoy and laugh2learn. …see more

So, an article appeared in Inside Higher Ed on why leaders are failing to stop sexual harassers/abuse/rape on their campuses.  Here was/is my answer: I think there are many reasons. 1st, try campus culture, an issue that runs wide and deep. So do traditions that encourage bad behavior. Look at Prep Schools as exemplars. 2nd, the "hands-off" leaders have real trouble; it's good to delegate but....And, there needs to be a culture of transparency and an overt culture where bad news can and must be shared, not buried. 3rd, there are rose colored glasses as in: this too will pass. Nope. It won't. 4th, much of the training is poor, and people resent needing training suggesting they know all the issues. Reform the training. Bring in outsiders to do it and make it worth the faculty, staff, coaches and administrators' time. Poor training leads to poor outcomes. And resentment about waste of time. 5th, how we handle crises when they occur on campuses is weak and needs reformation. We make things worse, not better, because we aren't experts. Bring them in. 6th, to return to my favorite topic: Ask this. If there were co-presidents, could all this happen as it did on all these campuses? Speculating yes. But, pretty confidently, I can say that co-presidencies would curb this. …see more

Here's an idea linking needs in Puerto Rico with wrongs done at University of Louisville in men's basketball.  Assume Louisville actually owes money to its now on leave Coach, Rick Pitino (how that would be so is a different issue).  Let's say money is paid.  Then the Coach can donate the money to assist Puerto Rico and the many Americans in need there.  A form of penance.  And, it seems like Pitino could do with some charity service -- and outreach to others rather than enabling taking.  And, what a good swap. $ from bad go to $ for good.  Just a thought.   Hey, I know it won't happen but consider the messaging were it to happen.  Good coming from bad.  And role modeling.  And, yes, the money is from a non-profit but better that it go to Puerto Rico if it has to be paid.  Imagine writing that settlement agreement.  Need better lawyers than those who wrote original contract.  Creative lawyering. Creative settlement.  Doing right. …see more

Comments and thoughts welcomed. New book talks about key issues of student success and how to change educational culture at institutions from K -- 20 to enable that success.

Gee. No shock there. That result is precisely why many of us were encouraging IBR and were worried about its lack of uptake. Ask why there was so little uptake until more recently? Consider a less than pleasant reason: government would earn less and so would servicers. Taking another angle, we have a problem with informational symmetry and EITC is another example. …see more

It is one thing to accept more low income students; it is another thing to create an institution that welcomes them and facilitates their success. This is not just add and stir. Ironically, the institutions with the greatest experience are non-elite institutions that could shed considerable light on these issues were the elites willing to listen -- and hear. Watch for new book Breakaway Learners (Columbia TCPress) in April 2017 addressing these very issues and offering concrete strategies that can be deployed. One-off events/programs aren't an answer; need systemic approaches. So, acceptanc …see more