Karen spoke at our summer institute. Very down to earth, very inspiring.
— Sheila D., high school teacher, Boston Public Schools

I facilitate workshops on a variety of topics for teaching teams, and curriculum development teams. Below is a sampling of speaking and workshop titles, by category:

 

On USING LITERATURE TO DEVELOP Students’ PRACTICAL WISDOM

Using our literature, and borrowing from philosophy, psychology, research, and personal experience to cultivate wisdom and high-order thinking.

Using our literature, and borrowing from philosophy, psychology, research, and personal experience to cultivate wisdom and higher-order thinking.

  • Asking the Questions that are Already Inside Them: Foregrounding the Cultivation of Student Wisdom

  • Using Literature to Deepen Young Adults’ Social-Emotional Learning and Lives


On PUTTING THEORY INTO PRACTICE IN THE CLASSROOm

Our rules to keep discussions fruitful, generative, challenging, and safe for risk-taking

Our rules to keep discussions fruitful, generative, challenging, and safe for risk-taking

  • Acronyms Worth Keeping: Harnessing Learning Theory in the Context and Service of Real-World Teaching

  • Practical Classroom Applications of Key Theoretical Concepts

  • What Can the Arts Teach Us about Teaching?


On The Democratic classroom and STUDENT AGENCY

Students in our Natural World in Literature class taking a photo-opp break from reading each others’ work prior to a teach-around

Students in our Natural World in Literature class taking a photo-opp break from reading each others’ work prior to a teach-around

  • How Sharing Power in the Classroom Produces Knowledge, Develops Responsibility, and Cultivates Joy

  • Hall Passes and Locked Bathrooms: How to Transition Out of Helicopter Schooling


On TEACHERS’ LIVES AND IDENTITIEs

On some days, we all need help remembering this.

On some days, we all need help remembering this.

  • Connection and Content: Bringing Our Real Selves and Our Best Selves to Our Students

  • Using Mindfulness Principles to Address Our Own Thinking About Our Teaching Lives

  • How To Be an Inspiring Mentor Teacher


On Working within the Young adult ecosystem

Brainstorming the salient issues and features of teen friendships at the start of our Friendship in Literature course

Brainstorming the salient issues and features of teen friendships at the start of our Friendship in Literature course

  • Covid and the Crisis of Connection

  • Young Adults and Friendship: Why Understanding and Teaching about Friendship Theory Can Be a Game Changer

  • Social Learning and Identity Formation in the Online World


On Schooling and adhd

adhd.png
  • Working Effectively with Divergent Thinkers

  • Working Effectively with ADHD Kids and their Parents (for teachers)

  • Working Effectively with Your ADHD Kid’s Teachers (for parents)