I was a computer engineer (briefly), then an educator (longingly). I taught all things analytical, including physics, math, communication technology, and computer studies. After leaving the classroom for a leadership role, I ran district-wide programs for assessment, bring-your-own-device, cloud computing, e-learning, information technology in the classroom, and mathematics. In that time, I co-wrote The Joy of X: Becoming a Mathematics Teacher, and was a contributing author to Talk About Assessment: High School Strategies and Tools with Damian Cooper. My life looked great, but being so cerebral didn't always feel great.
When a devastating betrayal in 2012 cracked me to the core, I began a healing journey of yoga, therapy, meditation, groups, self-help books, courses, and sharing with loving others. In September, 2013, I experienced an intense, heart-awakening that left me utterly transformed. For two miraculous weeks I felt a deep flow in which life and love merged. It became absolutely clear that we are (all of us together) alive with love--alove. Alove for me means state of absolute openness, joy and flow: a unity with all life and nature. My life from that point would never be the same.
As I connected more deeply with myself, others, and the world, I began running support groups to help hundreds around the world heal and thrive beyond infidelity. A blossoming of loving relationships followed by more liberating experiences left me feeling even more alove. My mental energy now felt balanced with emotion, intuition, and spirit.
My career shifted during this time, as I launched district-wide mindfulness, well-being, and restorative practices (RP) programs. I have led thousands of wellness sessions, community circles, group retreats, mindfulness series, and other workshops for both educators and students across my district and North America.
I left education in 2019 to make space for (and help others explore) a life of alove. In addition to writing, speaking, and running support groups, I offer workshops, mindfulness coaching, RP, wellness, and math therapy. In 2022, I wrote Rebooting Assessment (with Damian Cooper), which won IBPA Ben Franklin Gold Medal for Best Book in Education. My first solo book and passion project Flourishing Classrooms A Deep Dive into Proactive Wellness for Grades 7-12 was released in June, 2023.
Like never before, our world needs prosocial, flourishing people who care for themselves and each other. Cultivating holistic well-being in schools is a powerfully upstream approach to save society and the planet. In this session, educators will explore why and how to do just that, by putting wellness in its rightful place at the very heart of schooling. (Based on the book Flourishing Classrooms: A Deep Dive into Proactive Wellness for Grades 7-12)
Like never before, our world needs prosocial, flourishing people who care for themselves and each other. Cultivating holistic well-being in schools is a powerfully upstream approach to save society and the planet. In this session, educators will explore practical strategies for cultivating well-being in the classroom, for students and teachers both, so that wellness can be put in its rightful place at the very heart of schooling. Participants will receive a copy of the book Flourishing Classrooms: A Deep Dive into Proactive Wellness for Grades 7-12.
Like never before, our world needs prosocial, flourishing people who care for themselves and each other. Cultivating holistic well-being in schools is a powerfully upstream approach to save society and the planet. In this session, educators will explore why and how to do just that, by putting wellness in its rightful place at the very heart of schooling. (Based on the book Flourishing Classrooms: A Deep Dive into Proactive Wellness for Grades 7-12)
