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Educator
My work is focused on solutions to help students, educators and their institutions to thrive, not just survive.
Author Archives: Karen Gross
We Use Aphorisms in Times of Trouble: Time for Caution
When we struggle and can’t find the perfect words to express our feelings, we oft-times turn to well worn aphorisms (defined generally as short statements of a general truth or statements that provide insight or quality advice). The trouble is that some of these common aphorisms aren’t true and yet we utter them as truisms. …
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Overhauling Education: If Not Now, When?
I recently published this piece on how to revamp education. Hit the link below. CoFoundersTown For me, the key is not what content we should offer to students of all ages and stages. The key is not what tests we need to give to students of all ages and stages. The key is not what …
We Don’t Recognize Mental Distress: That has to Change
SEEMINGLY UNRELATED ISSUES A recent article in the New York Times observed that doctors often miss post-partum depression. This illness affects not only the new mother but also the infant to whom she just gave birth. And it can affect other members of the household. And, the illness is usually treatable. Think about that for …
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Why Don’t We Listen to COVID Guidance?
The Marblehead Incident(s) I recently read an article about a party in Marblehead, MA attended by 20–30 young people. Apparently, no masks worn were worn. It seems there was no social distancing. There was, it appears, sharing of drinking cups (unclear what was in the cups). Now, this party occurred in a private home. (No …
The Positive Feeling Tree: An Idea for Now
These are difficult times. That is for sure. We know too that positive feelings are important and to think positively, we need three positives for every one negative. That is why I created this Positive Feeling Tree. Each day, we take positive feelings from a jar filled with them (a gift from a friend) and …
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A Fun Strategy for Families/Friends During Holiday
Holidays are hard for many generally and now specifically. So, here’s something to try whether you are near or far, in person or remote: Tongue twisters! Yes, really. They have a long educational history. They promote learning and enunciation. They build vocabulary. They showcase mistake making and trying again. They enable laughter among young and …
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How to Help Students (and others) Process the Presidential Election and Its Aftermath
Approach When we listen and watch what occurred during election night and in the days after, one has to wonder how to help children process what they are seeing and hearing. Regardless of one’s political party, it seems to me that we are having a hard time making good on this message: we are the …
Are the Debates Teachable Moments?
Let me start with the answer to the question posed in this title: Yes, debates can most assuredly be teachable moments and more importantly, there is real value in helping children process them effectively with quality educators in a school setting. Let’s put politics aside (assuming that is even possible) and ask the question this …
A Very Disorienting Presidential Debate
By Ed K.S. Wang, M.S., Psy.D. Even as a passive observer, the debate was extremely disorienting due to the lack of civility that I am not accustomed to in past presidential debates. I was feeling irritated, restless, and felt my blood pressure was rising. I was so stressed that the one behavior I could manage …
Trauma Tools As Schools Stagger Forward
In Japanese culture, there is a tradition that when things break, they are not discarded. They are repaired with gold and accompanied with the phrase: More Beautiful for Being Broken. Hold that thought. School Reopening Confusion (to state it nicely) There is deep confusion about schools reopening this fall. Some schools are doing totally online …