Category Archives: Making a Difference

(#440) What Matters Now?


When you set your goals you said to yourself, “These matter to me.” As you review where you have been and where you want to go, ask yourself, “What matters now?”  And then act on it. While we set goals … Continue reading

Posted in accountability, action, Appreciation, awareness, Being REMARKABLE, confidence, consideration, core values, Discipline, Dreams, Failure, Integrity, Making a Difference, Mindfulness, Personal growth, Personal Wellbeing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

(#411) Perhaps, A Human Good Citizenship Test?


If only we treated our fellow human beings (citizens of the world) with the same dignity as the CGC expects of its participants. This past week Roxie and I passed the “final exam” for the Canine Good Citizen certification (AKC).  … Continue reading

Posted in acceptance, accountability, Appreciation, Appropriate Behavior, Choice, Civility, confidence, empathy, focus, growth, Making a Difference, Mindfulness, Purpose, resilience | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

(#380) The Sun Rises Each Morning. Sometimes We Cannot Recognize It.


The sun will shine on the thousands of people who helped thousands of others survive the catastrophe. The storm saw strangers not acting as strangers. The loss and devastation due to Hurricane Harvey defies words. The images bring us some … Continue reading

Posted in action, Community, core values, empathy, fortitude, Grit, Integrity, Life lessons, Making a Difference | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

(#296) Not Us. Them.


“A building is not just about itself, but the place where it resides.”-Craig Dykers Did you hear the one about the college president’s view of how to handle struggling students? Reportedly his suggestion was to “drown the bunnies.” No, that’s … Continue reading

Posted in assumptions, Choice, collaboration, college retention, common sense, Community, faculty development, ideologies, intentionality, leadership, Life lessons, Making a Difference, Relationship, teaching and learning | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

(#274) Igniting Passion: Seven Superlative Student Stars


They spoke directly to the power of teaching and the importance of relationships in life.  This past Thursday I had the honor to deliver the keynote address for the annual faculty convocation at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA). The organizers … Continue reading

Posted in Appreciation, Being REMARKABLE, Gratitude, Grit, Living a remarkable life, Making a Difference, Passion, Teaching, teaching and learning, tenacity | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

(#247) Applications and Reflections


Just consider the hourly wage of each person tied up in a workshop.  Is the R.O.I. worth the lost wages and service? I have written elsewhere on this blog about the benefits of meaningful professional growth opportunities and collegiality.  Today, … Continue reading

Posted in faculty development, life success, Making a Difference, Mindfulness, Personal growth, Personal Wellbeing, professional development, Reflective practice, resilience, self-efficacy | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

(#219) The First Day of Class: People Before Paper!


Student success will be enhanced when we establish an environment of personal validation and respect. [NOTE to reader: This week’s post comes from my forthcoming book (work-in-progress) on mentoring faculty.  In the weeks ahead look for posts on this blog that … Continue reading

Posted in effective teaching, faculty development, Integrity, Making a Difference, Passion | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

(#217) What We Think We Become


Until she made the decision to start focusing on how her now created her later, she lived a life of unfulfilled expectations. Last week in Chicago, Liz Murray opened our conference with riveting revelations about her journey.  Liz’s story is … Continue reading

Posted in Excuses, Gratitude, lifelong learning, Making a Difference | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

(#212) Teachers Make a Difference—Everyday!


Think of your favorite teacher, counselor, or advisor. What did she/he do to make a difference? This blog post will be a repeat message for some who follow me on Facebook. It warrants repetition. So thanks for the indulgence I … Continue reading

Posted in effective teaching, Gratitude, Impact, influence, Making a Difference | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

(#199) Retirement? Let’s Rename It


Whenever “retirement” comes for me, I know it will not be a work stoppage or a forgetting of the past but rather a grand anticipation and embrace of what the future holds. At the beginning of this calendar year, I … Continue reading

Posted in change, Choice, growth, happiness, Integrity, legacy, Making a Difference, resilience | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments