My Presentation at the National Title I Conference Takes Place Today

Today’s the day! I’m in Houston and getting ready to present at the 2016 National Title I Conference, “Frontiers of Opportunity,” which gets underway today and continues through Jan. 31 at the George R. Brown Convention Center. This afternoon, from 1-2 p.m. in Room 362, I’ll be making a high-energy presentation on the subject of  "Improving Instruction through the Mind, Brain, and Teacher Leadership Model.”

In this presentation, which is taken from five of Marcus Conyers' and my recently published books on the science of learning, brain-based teaching and teacher leadership, I will be sharing our model/framework of mind, brain, and teacher leadership applied in classrooms and schools. The focus will be on science and strategies that work for real teachers in classrooms across the U.S. Attendees will also hear stories of teacher leaders, my heroes, who are making a positive difference in schools and classrooms each day.

Following the presentation, from 2:30-3:30, I will be doing a book signing in the Title I bookstore.

Marcus Interviewed on "Inspire Nation"

Marcus Conyers was recently interviewed by Michael Sandler for the "Inspire Nation" podcast on the subject of "How to Upgrade Your Brain for Greater Success, Happiness and Well-Being."

Michael and Marcus had a great conversation about the potential that all of us have for upgrading our brain at any age, with the basis being the research that he and Donna uncovered when writing our book, Positively Smarter: Science and Strategies for Increasing Happiness, Achievement and Well-Being. The host and guest talked about a broad range of subjects, from the importance of the Body-Brain connection to the innate talent paradigm to the effect that a positive state of mind has on our ability to be successful. The podcast is available in 151 countries.

The audio show is currently available on iTunes at this link. For those who don't have iTunes or who have an Android phone, the podcast can be accessed here.

Celebrating 20 Years of Title I Teaching!

I am pleased to be presenting on the first day of the Title I 2016 Annual Conference where I will be sharing our model/framework of mind, brain, and teacher leadership applied in classrooms and schools. My presentation "Improving Instruction through the Mind, Brain, and Teacher Leadership Model" is taken from five of Marcus Conyers' and my recently published books on the science of learning, brain-based teaching and teacher leadership. The focus will be on science and strategies that work for real teachers in classrooms across the U.S. Attendees will also hear stories of teacher leaders, my heroes, who are making a positive difference in schools and classrooms each day!

Over the past 20 years, we have shared our work with more than 10,000 K-12 students and 160,000 educators in live events, honing our teaching with input from teacher leaders. Many times our participants have been from Title I schools and districts in states including Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Montana, Alabama, North Dakota, North Carolina, Mississippi, Colorado, Maryland, Georgia, Washington, Florida, and many more. Educators have also studied the curriculum we co-developed to earn graduate degrees in practical applications of mind, brain, and education research over the past 15 years.

Let’s Keep Positive Practical Learning Front of Mind in 2016

Happy 2016! I look forward to engaging with educators throughout the year at conferences, seminars, and other events.

For my first post of the new year, I'd like to stress something that every educator should keep front of mind for 2016: the now-proven principle that virtually every human brain has the potential to learn and change throughout the lifespan. In fact, researchers are reporting that learning actually changes the structure and function of your brain.

Whether you are traveling to exciting new destinations in 2016, learning new teaching strategies, reading a book, playing a new game, or stretching your mind in a new job, YOU are a learning machine.

In the past, it was thought that brain development stopped sometime during our youth. At one time, it was said to be the age of 12. In the last several decades (with an emphasis on early childhood), there has even been confusion leading the uninformed to say that important development ceases even earlier. However, it is now known that adults can  create new brain cells and make connections across their entire lifespans. So, it is critically important to keep learning.