Being a partner with your child's school and teacher is essential to their success - use this list of questions (you can find them written out on the website   noroom4phonies.com) and start the year off by knowing how you can help create a classroom environment that helps the teacher and everyone else - including your child - learn and grow and be the best version of themselves.  

When you feel successful, you find more confidence and success!  Teachers can specifically help their students of all ages find success by creating an environment that allows students to engage, understand the goals, celebrate success and feel like they are part of a nurturing community that extends far outside the walls of the classroom or school.  

Whether you are in Kindergarten or College, you need a space to learn, grow, problem solve, think critically, reflect and have your voice heard.  Classrooms are not about furniture, they are about a teacher who facilitates innovation and self-assessment and children who leave ready to make a positive contribution to the world around them.  

Values - Purpose - Vision - Mission ....do you know what your family wants for itself?  Long term - medium term - short term goals at home and at school... - a little research on the purpose of school - finding out what is really happening - communicating your child's needs - and what to do if you are too busy to volunteer

Pam and Charles and their sons, Zachary and Sebastian share their four perspectives on questions that "dig deeper" and start meaningful conversations.  Do you agree with our questions?  Do you have some to add?  Send us a message by email or post a comment on Social Media or on our website.  

Seth Godin - The Magnification of Small Differences  (podcast) 

caregiving - inventing - leading - partnering - these are just afew of the contributions that we discuss...has society changed?  Are we moving forward in celebrating the many accomplishments of women?  How many of the women that we discuss today are household names?  How can women and men support each other - in the workplace and beyond?  

Pam and Charles discuss ten things that would improve public education for kids.  Building a sense of community, accountability, vision, use of data and innovation are all part of the discussion.  

Looking back at your past with a positive lens helps you to find the blessings and the learnings!  Charles and Pam talk about how they have grown from their past and celebrate all the things that were part of their past that have helped them be better at life today.  

How do I spend my days? I take care of my home and those around me...improving myself and working on some creative endeavours.  How do I do it?  I keep lists, eat well, stay mindful and keep focused on my values and goals.  

With the regular book sharing, website update, cocktail review and podcast recommendation comes a sharing of things Charles and I have learned from our almost 27 years sharing our various kitchens.  Charles, my husband and I compare our lists of recipes ad kinds of food that bring "soul" and "love" to our families and friends.