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The Blog


Discovering Values: A Guide to Personal and Workplace Connection
Through the activities below we’ll learn how to reconnect to ourselves and how to guide organizations to do the same. Whether you are seeking connection to self or leading a team who could benefit from a unified purpose, please read on to learn how to identify our own values, how to collaboratively operationalize an organization’s values, and how these activities might empower us. As a special addition for my educators and parents out there, I’ve also included some tips for w
Tiffany Creager
Jan 15, 20248 min read


Strengthening the Principal-Teacher Connection in December: Preventing Burnout and Building Team Unity
Principals play a pivotal role in supporting their teachers during this critical time, preventing burnout, and fostering a strong sense of teamwork. In this blog, we will explore several strategies principals can employ in December to connect with their teachers and create a sense of unity.
Dianne McKinley
Dec 12, 20233 min read


Nurturing Organizational Wellness: A Leadership Imperative
In the fast-paced and ever-evolving landscape of the world, leaders play a pivotal role in steering their organizations toward success. Beyond traditional metrics of profitability and growth, there is a growing awareness of the importance of organizational wellness. Just as individual well-being is crucial for personal success, a healthy organizational environment is vital for sustained prosperity. In this blog, we will explore the concept of organizational wellness and del
Dianne McKinley
Dec 6, 20232 min read


Boosting Staff Morale in Schools: Introducing Our Staff Appreciation Solution
In the world of education, the well-being and motivation of teachers and staff play a crucial role in the overall success of our schools. A positive and supportive atmosphere can significantly impact the quality of education and the happiness of educators. It’s no secret that motivated and appreciated teachers are more likely to go the extra mile to create a thriving learning environment for their students. That’s why, at INcompassing Education, we are thrilled to introduce o
Dianne McKinley
Nov 16, 20233 min read


Boosting Student Attendance: How Schools Can Make a Difference
One of the most critical aspects of a successful education system is ensuring that students attend school regularly. Improved student attendance leads to better academic outcomes and overall student well-being. However, in recent years, absenteeism has been on the rise, posing a significant challenge to both school leaders and teachers. This blog will delve into the causes of increased absenteeism and provide practical strategies for school leaders and teachers to address thi
Tiffany Creager
Nov 15, 20234 min read


Nurturing Resilience: Tips for School Leaders to Prevent or Treat Burnout
Working closely with students who have endured trauma can have a profound impact on the mental and physical health of educators. This type of work can lead to secondary traumatic stress, empathic distress, and even burnout. Recognizing and addressing this impact while integrating supportive strategies into the workplace is not only crucial for the well-being of these dedicated professionals but also for boosting morale, increasing job satisfaction, and ultimately enhancing pr
Dianne McKinley
Oct 4, 20234 min read


Trauma-Informed Schools
What is a trauma-informed school? It is a setting where trauma is understood, recognized, and responded to in ways that empower those who are affected. The goal of trauma-informed schools is to put in place supports that help children cope. Read this article to learn more.
Dianne McKinley
Sep 18, 20233 min read


Mindful Mondays
As a school social worker, I love to learn about ways to support student and staff mental health and social emotional learning! I read books, listen to podcasts, attend trainings, complete certifications, and pour myself into learning the best ways to create sustainable positive changes in schools for students and teachers. I’ve always been incredibly fortunate to work with administrators and educators who are open to me sharing what I learn and who collaborate with me to try
Tiffany Creager
Sep 18, 20233 min read


Self-Regulation Strategies for Middle and High School Students
Over the past few years, I’ve heard the same question come up over and over – “how do we help our middle and high school students self-regulate?” It begins with understanding! Whether we reflect on our own experiences, have adolescents in our home, or work with students who are between the ages of 11 and early 20s, we understand that there are some significant shifts in behavior and functioning during this time! Students are seeking to understand themselves and how they fit i
Dianne McKinley
Sep 18, 20237 min read


Social Emotional Intelligence: A Key to Success in Modern Education
Social emotional intelligence is a crucial aspect of modern education that has gained increasing attention in recent years. Social emotional intelligence (SEI) refers to the ability to identify, understand, and manage one’s own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. It involves developing empathy, building meaningful relationships, and effectively communicating with others.
Dianne McKinley
Sep 18, 20235 min read


Student Social Emotional Check-In Ideas
Daily or weekly social emotional check-ins with students provide a quick way to include student voice, encourage self-awareness, and teach social awareness. Social emotional check-ins are an important part of the classroom environment, as they provide students with a safe and secure space to express their feelings and emotions while also helping teachers understand their students on a deeper level, allowing them to better meet their needs. Additionally, social emotional check
Dianne McKinley
Sep 18, 20235 min read


Ignite the Spark: Overcoming Student Apathy
In the realm of education, one of the greatest challenges faced by teachers, parents, and students alike is student apathy. Apathy can manifest in various ways, such as lack of interest, disengagement, or a general feeling of indifference towards academic pursuits. However, overcoming student apathy is not an insurmountable task.
Dianne McKinley
Sep 14, 20233 min read


Get the Students Talking and Doing!
As I have visited classrooms and observed teachers teaching their classes, I am noticing a very common trend. The learning their students are doing is very passive and somewhat compliant. In a quote attributed to many different sources from Confucius to Benjamin Franklin says, “Tell Me and I Forget; Teach Me and I May Remember; Involve Me and I Learn” and it has been proven many times and, in many ways, to be true. It used to be the standard norm in a classroom in rows all
Dianne McKinley
Aug 1, 20236 min read


Teacher Recruitment: Steps Involved, Challenges, and How Professional Development Can Play an Important Role in It
Teacher recruitment refers to the process of attracting, selecting, and appointing qualified individuals to work as teachers in educational institutions. It is an essential aspect of maintaining a strong and competent teaching workforce. Teacher recruitment involves various strategies and activities aimed at identifying potential candidates, assessing their qualifications and suitability for teaching positions, and ultimately hiring them to fill vacant teaching positions.
Dianne McKinley
Jul 11, 20236 min read


Empowering Teachers: Four Must-Read Books for Social Emotional Learning
I’ve listed four books below that I believe address some of the biggest struggles I’ve seen in the areas of social emotional learning this year. From student apathy to educator burnout, these are great resources for creating positive change!
Dianne McKinley
May 24, 20235 min read


Why Instructional Coaching is Critical
According to the research, instructional coaching has proven to be the most effective type of professional development. The professional relationship between the coach and the teacher allows for maximum growth, a deep understanding of the classroom teacher and students, modeling of best practices, and consistent support.
Dianne McKinley
May 22, 20233 min read


The Ultimate Recess Equipment
Whether you are a classroom teacher, physical education teacher, or school principal, chances are you are looking to add something fun and engaging to your playground or gym equipment for recess. Look no further than the amazing Pindaloo.
Dianne McKinley
Apr 20, 20231 min read


What Is Growth Mindset in Education?
With a growth mindset, students are encouraged to take on challenges and persist in the face of difficult tasks. It fosters a positive learning environment that supports risk-taking and self-improvement. By embracing a growth mindset, students can become more resilient, develop self-confidence, and learn to value effort over results. Research has also shown that students with a growth mindset are more likely to succeed academically and professionally.
Dianne McKinley
Mar 29, 20235 min read


Time To Stretch
It is finally Spring. Spring Breaks are over, and we are in the home stretch to the end of the school year. As we all know it is a marathon and not a sprint! With that in mind, this is where we will begin. Like all great marathoners everyone must start with stretching and warming up. That is where I would suggest you all start. With a good stretch.
Dianne McKinley
Mar 29, 20232 min read


Motivation in Education
Motivation in education is the driving force behind a student’s desire to learn and grow. It is the intrinsic desire to do well and achieve success in the classroom. Motivation in education can come from a student’s own internal desire to learn and grow or it can come from external factors such as rewards, recognition, and encouragement from teachers and peers. It is important to foster motivation in the classroom in order to create a positive learning environment. Motivation
Tiffany Creager
Mar 1, 20234 min read
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