Debbie Brown

Thank you to everyone that attended the Hays CISD Dyslexia Information Night.

Please remember that all those interactions you have with your students outside of the lesson really matter. The smiles… the eye contact… the jokes… the fist bumps… and the silliness… they’re all important. They remind kids that they matter. Those moments can mean the world.

Someone else will.

I had another wonderful opportunity to discuss reading fluency with @literacypodcast. We focused on the importance of automaticity (plus some other HOT topics related to fluency, including interpreting ORF scores!). Drops May 30. I'd love to hear what you think.

No exceptions. Ever.

Leadership QOTD:

Happy Valentine’s Day 🌸💕💕💕 #ValentinesDay

“It is people, not programs, who determine the quality of a school.” ~ @ToddWhitaker

Self accountability

"Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen." - BRENE BROWN #7Mindsets #QOTD #MorningMindset #TimeIsNow ⏰

20 Tips for a Positive New Year! What are your top 3?

Ted Lasso isn’t just a coach; he’s a masterclass in leadership. His positivity, authenticity, and humor are a winning formula for any leader. Here are 7 Leadership Lessons from Ted Lasso. 1: BRING POSITIVE ENERGY - Ted is incredibly positive and optimistic, even in adversity. He encourages his team to focus on their strengths and celebrate their successes, no matter how small. TL: "I do love a locker room. It smells like potential." 2: SHOW EMPATHY - Ted is empathetic and takes the time to get to know his players personally. With Ted, it is all about relationships. TL: "Your body is like day-old rice. If it ain't warmed up properly, something real bad could happen." 3: BE AUTHENTIC - Ted is authentic and genuine. He doesn't try to be anyone other than himself. He is honest with his players and colleagues, even when it is difficult. TL: "You know what the happiest animal on Earth is? It's a goldfish. Do you know why? It's got a 10-second memory." 4: USE HUMOR - Ted has a great sense of humor. He uses it to diffuse tension and bring his team together. He doesn't take himself too seriously and encourages his players to have fun and enjoy the game. TL: "It's kind of like back in the '80s when 'bad' meant 'good.'" 5: BE COLLABORATIVE - Ted believes in collaboration and teamwork. He encourages his players to work together. TL: "I promise you there is something worse out there than being sad, and that's being alone and being sad. Ain't no one in this room alone." 6: BE A CONNECTOR - Ted is a connector of people. He understands that a connected team is a winning team. TL: "If you care about someone, and you got a little love in your heart, there ain't nothing you can't get through together." 7: BE CURIOUS! - Ted does not know it all. He does not have all the answers. He does have ALL of the questions. But he is curious! TL: "I feel like we fell out of the lucky tree and hit every branch on the way down, ended up in a pool of cash and Sour Patch Kids." _____ Do you like this post? Then, you will love my free weekly newsletter. 🏆 Great Teams - Better Leaders 123 Actionable ideas on coaching, leadership, culture, and teams. Join 13,800+ others who read each week. Subscribe in my profile.

The Secret to Successful Schools: 4 Core Beliefs That Transform Learning Research shows that high-performing schools share these foundational beliefs that drive real results: 1️⃣ Teachers must believe in their teams’ ability to create solutions that help all students learn at high levels. Collaboration = Power. 2️⃣ Teachers must believe that every student has the potential to achieve greatness. No exceptions. 3️⃣ Students must believe their teachers are competent, trustworthy, and truly care about them. Relationships matter! 4️⃣ Students must believe in themselves—their ability to persevere, grow, and succeed, even when things get tough. Mindset is everything. John Hattie’s groundbreaking research in Visible Learning MetaX (2024) confirms what we’ve always known: beliefs shape behavior, and behavior shapes results. Let’s create school cultures where every teacher, every student, and every team believes in their power to succeed. 💬 What core belief resonates most with YOU? Share your thoughts below! ⬇️ #BeliefDrivesSuccess #VisibleLearning #JohnHattie #EducationMatters #PLC #TeacherCollaboration #GrowthMindset #StudentSuccess #SchoolLeadership #HighExpectations #NeverGiveUp @plugusin @VisibleLearning

"Continual progress can only promise lifelong success." - NITIN NAMDEO #7Mindsets #QOTD #MorningMindset #TimeIsNow ⏰

A great teacher can transform any space into a place of learning magic. It's not the 4 walls, but the passion & dedication of the teacher that truly make the difference. ✨ To all the amazing educators out there, we're so grateful for you! 🙌 #ThankATeacher #EducationMatters

—@SustainTeaching

"Be passionate and move forward with gusto every single hour of every single day until you reach your goal." - AVA DUVERNAY #7Mindsets #QOTD #MorningMindset #PassionFirst🥇

October is #DyslexiaAwarenessMonth, a time to highlight the challenges faced by individuals with dyslexia & celebrate advancements in research and practice. Explore our curated list of resources, including articles, podcasts, webinars & expert guides. 🔗 bit.ly/3NHPZ8W