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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Seven Super Tools to Prevent Misbehavior
Super Spaces When you walk into a gymnasium, you behave differently than when you walk into a library. The environment sends cues to the brain about how you should feel and behave. Provide an environment that encourages desirable behavior. The space should say “Play with me!” in a way that clearly defines HOW to play. The way you arrange your space and what you put in your space tells children what types of behavior are expected in that space. Control the environment, not the child. ...Read More
Knitting Connections
This last year has shown us how important relationships are in every aspect of our lives, from walking by someone’s desk on the way to the bathroom to meeting up with friends at a local brewery. We are all missing the social connections that relationships provide. But, I, for one, have liked the time away from the busy-ness and from social events – it has given me time to myself to focus on other things, like KNITTING! Granted, I haven’t made anything more substantial than a scarf, but I l...Read More
Focusing on the Three Rs this Summer
In a recent principal training, a participant raised his hand and asked a question I have heard too often: “How can I afford to invest in SEL (social-emotional learning) when my students have fallen so far behind?” I struggled to maintain my composure. This principal had been in at least three brain development workshops that unpacked the connections across the social, emotional, and cognitive functions of our limbic system. According to our biology, learning is a social and emotional process – ...Read More
Delivering On Mission – How To Determine Whether Your Organization Measures Up
It seems like nearly every conversation and strategy session that I am part of lately includes discussions about diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI.) As I listen, read, and watch organizations grapple to embrace these values, I am compelled to look deeper and measure the impact of efforts on youth programs. When asked, most leaders point to policies that have been adopted but few share the difference that policy alone makes. At TGR Foundation – A Tiger Woods Charity, our staff meetings have tu...Read More
Meet the BLT: Stefanie Lawson
Stefanie Lawson Assistant Director, Early Education, Conejo Valley Unified School District, Thousand Oaks, CA Who or what inspires you? The children and families that I serve in my community inspire me every day. What is one characteristic that you believe every leader should possess? Integrity. You will never go wrong with quality of character. Can you name a person who has had a tremendous impact on you as a leader? Why and how did this person impact your life? My father is the person who has ...Read More
Meet the BLT: Melissa Perez
Melissa Perez ASES Programs Supervisor, Child Development Services, Fullerton School District, Fullerton, CA Who or what inspires you? My family, my faith, and my culture inspire me. My homegirl Frida Kahlo inspires me to be the best woman I can be for all women and little girls… to fight and advocate for and live passionately. This picture is one of my favorites. Is there a quote or saying that you live your life by? “Paz y Amor.” (Peace and love.) What is one characteristic t...Read More
Meet the BLT: Lissa Tsu
Lissa Tsu Consultant, San Diego, CA Who or what inspires you? I am inspired by art and artists. The world would be a much less desirable and beautiful place if artists didn’t risk sharing themselves with the world. I admire both their capability to let us see into their soul and their artistic ability to create. I am always seeking out art and artist friends to ground myself. Is there a quote or saying that you live your life by? One quote that has gotten me through a lot of hard times is,...Read More
Meet the BLT: Marissa Serna
Marissa Serna Child Care Coordinator, Alta Loma School District, Alta Loma, CA Who or what inspires you? My family inspires me. I want to be the driving force for my children to do more than I ever have, as they have been my force to do more. Is there a quote or saying that you live your life by? “Do what you feel in your heart to be right, for you’ll be criticized anyway.” -Eleanor Roosevelt What is one characteristic that you believe every leader should possess? Communication...Read More
Meet the BLT: Jeanaah Sampson
Jeanaah Sampson Regional Manager, EduCare Foundation, Van Nuys, CA Who or what inspires you? My mom inspires me. She’s shown me how to be a strong, independent woman with focus. All I am today is a reflection of what I have been taught over the years. What would students be surprised to find out about you? That I can be shy and socially awkward at times. Whenever they see me I’m always so loud and talkative. They’d never think I was quiet and reserved. What is one characteristic that you believe...Read More
Meet the BLT: Frances Vasquez
Frances Vasquez Vice President of Programs, arc, Torrance, CA Who or what inspires you? Young people! They are incredible, resilient humans. I want to make the world better for them. I had a lot of opportunities growing up, and I want to be able to give them as many opportunities as I can. I had some incredible people in my life who poured so much love into me. I want to do the same for others. How do you encourage creative thinking within your organization? I have a sign in my office that says,...Read More
Meet the BLT: ElizaBeth Phillips
ElizaBeth Phillips Senior Program Development Director, Child Development Centers, Sacramento, CA Who or what inspires you? My Grandma inspires me. She was a teacher for many years and believed in John Dewey’s learning theories. I would spend my school breaks, afternoons, and sometimes my mornings with her before school and she always had fun things for me to do. And lo and behold I always learned something too. But, she inspires me in more ways than just her teaching style. She has a true love ...Read More
Meet the BLT: Heather Williams
Heather Williams Strategic Initiatives Coordinator, California Department of Education, Expanded Learning Division, Sacramento, CA Who or what inspires you? I’m inspired by many things, but if I’m particularly seeking inspiration there are a few places I go look. One is reading. Whether fiction, non-fiction, books, articles, research, in the information age and particularly with the internet, we have so much reading material at our fingertips. It doesn’t take long before I can ...Read More