Breakfast Club Blog
The BOOST Breakfast Club Blog is a curated space where bloggers from around the world contribute content on a continual basis about a variety of topics relevant to in and out-of-school time. The BOOST Breakfast Club blog is at the heart of an ongoing dialogue where expanded learning and education professionals share their personal thoughts and stories from the in and out-of-school time field. They also tell us what they ate for breakfast!
The BOOST Breakfast Club Blog is Brain Food for In and Out-of-School Time Leaders!
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From the Field: We Asked Educators How Do They and Their Teams Create a Safe Space for Young People?
This year’s BOOST Conference 2025 was one to remember! From inspiring sessions to excellent networking opportunities, 17 years of BOOST Conference felt like a reunion, bringing our field together during a time when we needed it most. We welcomed over 3,100 attendees to our conference in sunny Palm Springs and offered 200+ workshops, 5 Pre-Conference Academies, Town Hall and Panel Sessions, a Film Festival, the live-Podcast Lounge, Off-Campus Fieldtrips, a peaceful and mindful Zen Den space... Read More
A Conversation about Student Connection with Richmond Brown
Connection is Key to Student Engagement! In this collaborative blog series, TEAMBOOST asked leaders in the youth development field how they build student connection in their program environments. Healthy and authentic relationships are important to positive youth outcomes, and TEAMBOOST is proud to spotlight the expertise of our BOOST Leadership Team Members, BOOST Ambassadors, and BOOST Partners in the Student Connection blog series! Welcome, Richmond Brown (He, Him, His), to center stage! Than... Read More
A Conversation about Student Connection with Melissa Erickson
Connection is Key to Student Engagement! In this collaborative blog series, TEAMBOOST asked leaders in the youth development field how they build student connection in their program environments. Healthy and authentic relationships are important to positive youth outcomes, and TEAMBOOST is proud to spotlight the expertise of our BOOST Leadership Team Members, BOOST Ambassadors, and BOOST Partners in the Student Connection blog series! Welcome, Melissa Erickson (she/hers), to center stage! Thank ... Read More
A Conversation about Student Connection with Diana Carrillo
Connection is Key to Student Engagement! In this collaborative blog series, TEAMBOOST asked leaders in the youth development field how they build student connection in their program environments. Healthy and authentic relationships are important to positive youth outcomes, and TEAMBOOST is proud to spotlight the expertise of our BOOST Leadership Team Members, BOOST Ambassadors, and BOOST Partners in the Student Connection blog series! Welcome, Diana Carrillo (She/Her/Ella), to center stage! Than... Read More
A Conversation about Student Connection with Susie Estrada
Connection is Key to Student Engagement! In this collaborative blog series, TEAMBOOST asked leaders in the youth development field how they build student connection in their program environments. Healthy and authentic relationships are important to positive youth outcomes, and TEAMBOOST is proud to spotlight the expertise of our BOOST Leadership Team Members, BOOST Ambassadors, and BOOST Partners in the Student Connection blog series! Welcome, Susie Estrada (She/Her/Hers), to center stage! Thank... Read More
A Conversation about Student Connection with Christina Green
Connection is Key to Student Engagement! In this collaborative blog series, TEAMBOOST asked leaders in the youth development field how they build student connection in their program environments. Healthy and authentic relationships are important to positive youth outcomes, and TEAMBOOST is proud to spotlight the expertise of our BOOST Leadership Team Members, BOOST Ambassadors, and BOOST Partners in the Student Connection blog series! Welcome, Christina Green (She/Her), to center stage! Thank yo... Read More
A Conversation about Student Connection with Becky Shultz
Connection is Key to Student Engagement! In this collaborative blog series, TEAMBOOST asked leaders in the youth development field how they build student connection in their program environments. Healthy and authentic relationships are important to positive youth outcomes, and TEAMBOOST is proud to spotlight the expertise of our BOOST Leadership Team Members, BOOST Ambassadors, and BOOST Partners in the Student Connection blog series! Welcome, Becky Shultz (She/her), to center stage! Thank you, ... Read More
Mic Drop! Celebrating Creative Youth Development
One of my favorite parts of youth development and out-of-school time programs is when we provide spaces for students to CREATE. If anything, this past year and a half has unearthed the importance of providing healing spaces and room for self-expression. As youth development professionals, we can’t turn away from the fact that our students (and us!) have individually and collectively faced grief, turmoil, anger, confusion, depression, anxiety, and loneliness. Take that in for a minute. It’s heavy... Read More
Where the Rubber Meets the Road- Planning a Successful Afterschool Activity
Building on the concept that the most productive learning comes through active involvement, the effectiveness of any program that seeks to develop skills in youth must be rich in activity. Remember, most of the students sit for almost 7.5 hours a day! They are eager to be involved in activities that allow for action and interaction. Enthusiasm is contagious and movement essential. You do not need a repertoire of several hundred activities. Such a large selection is simply not practical and, more... Read More
Learning How Our Students Learn
Eighty-one years ago, Albert Einstein said, “The development of general ability for independent thinking and judgement should always be placed foremost.” This quote is just as relevant today as it was then. So how do we know if we are encouraging independent thinking and judgement? We need to learn more about how our students learn. I’ve heard many successful entrepreneurs say they struggled in school because the lessons had no meaning. Successful computer programmers, coders, animators say they... Read More
Redefining Student Interaction and Connection in a COVID-19 Environment
Throughout my time educating young people of all ages, from preschool to college, whether as an employee or employer, teacher or mother, I have spent the last 20 plus years utilizing a secret formula that my staff and I have come to label “Kid Whispering.” What is “Kid Whispering” you ask? Well, it’s the ability to communicate with, relate to, teach, inspire, and empower kids, to do and be their best. This is done through many means, both emotionally and physically, and on both the micro and mac... Read More