Upgrade My Classroom

This is crunch time for college applications. That means that students will need to shift their priorities.

Here are a few things that can help your students to reprioritize.

1. Mindset Reframing: It's important for students to understand that they won't be able to get everything done, and that's okay. Prioritizing is about making choices and focusing on what truly matters.

2. Delayed Gratification: In today's instant gratification world, it's essential to help students recognize the long-term benefits of investing their time and energy into important tasks, even when it may not bring immediate satisfaction.

3. Ideal Week Planning: Encouraging students to plan out their ideal week can help them allocate time for essential tasks, such as college applications, while also prioritizing self-care, physical activity, and mental well-being.

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Book Kevin to speak at your school or event!

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Download the 3 part video series to learn all about Kevin's decision making framework for students.

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Today is another Educator Spotlight Series!

Join me as we dive into the world of Will Elliott, a 25-year-old teen life coach. When Will first appeared in my feed, I was conflicted with the thought of a 25 year old life coach. On one hand I said "he's still a kid himself"! On the other hand I thought that being young would make him much more relatable than mom and dad!

Check out today's review as we unravel the insights, challenges, and nuances of Will's approach while acknowledging the critical connection between teens, their mentors, and the influential role of parental guidance.

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Don't forget to subscribe to the show!

If you'd be so kind as to leave a rating and review, that would help tremendously!

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Book Kevin to speak at your school or event!

Learn more about Kevin's speaking programs here!

Download the 3 part video series to learn all about Kevin's decision making framework for students.

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I recently saw a video of Jocko Willink where he attempted to answer a question from a listener. The question was revolved around discipline and how to develop it when you come from a undisciplined household. I found it really interesting to say the least...

Today we'll unpack the crucial aspect of taking accountability and setting clear expectations in the classroom in order to help your students become more accountability. Moreover, we'll tackle the art of overcoming challenges and why it's vital for a teen's personal growth.

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Don't forget to subscribe to the show!

If you'd be so kind as to leave a rating and review, that would help tremendously!

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Book Kevin to speak at your school or event!

Learn more about Kevin's speaking programs here!

Download the 3 part video series to learn all about Kevin's decision making framework for students.

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As a musician for a huge part of my life, practice has always been something that is necessary. Even if I don't have a specific gig coming up, I always have to practice to get better at the craft and to keep my endurance at a high enough level.

In today's quick episode, I'm digging into a question that's been on my mind – the role of practice in the life of a teenager. Not necessarily practicing a musical instrument but practicing anything they want to improve upon.

The reality is students are dealing with constant distractions, as well as a society that promotes immediate gratification. From my musical journey, we'll talk about practice and how time management, efficiency, and consistency are all key players in this equation.

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Don't forget to subscribe to the show!

If you'd be so kind as to leave a rating and review, that would help tremendously!

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Book Kevin to speak at your school or event!

Learn more about Kevin's speaking programs here!

Download the 3 part video series to learn all about Kevin's decision making framework for students.

Follow Kevin on social!

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As a youth speaker and coach, I'm well aware of how crucial it is to teach teenagers the art of embracing failure and navigating the challenges it presents. It's all about helping them understand that failure isn't the end of the road but rather a stepping stone towards eventual success.

It took Thomas Edison 1000 tries to invent the lightbulb and with that being said, I want to emphasize the importance of perseverance and never giving up, no matter how many times you stumble along the way. There's a certain clarity that comes with each failure, and it's through learning from these setbacks that we can truly grow and evolve.

Throughout this episode, I'll be sharing personal stories from my own journey, recounting instances where I faced failure both in my previous career and as an entrepreneur. So, I invite you to join me on this exploration of mindset and strategies that can help students not just accept but embrace failure as a catalyst for personal growth.

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Don't forget to subscribe to the show!

If you'd be so kind as to leave a rating and review, that would help tremendously!

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Book Kevin to speak at your school or event!

Learn more about Kevin's speaking programs here!

Download the 3 part video series to learn all about Kevin's decision making framework for students.

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High school can be challenging. One of the biggest problems is that students are still so young. They haven't lived enough yet to gain the best tool in the toolbox...experience! So instead of trying to step into a time machine, I have three simple ways that students can gain the next best thing. Perspective.

1. Take on leadership roles: Encourage students to step up and exhibit leadership in small ways. This could involve reaching out to include someone who is sitting alone at lunch or volunteering to assist a teacher or fellow student in need. These simple acts of kindness and courage can provide students with a broader understanding of empathy and human connection.
2. Travel: Experiencing different cultures and ways of life can be transformative for students. Even if it's a family vacation to a new destination or a school trip abroad, travel exposes students to new perspectives, challenges them to navigate unfamiliar situations, and helps broaden their understanding of the world.
3. Volunteer: Volunteering allows students to give back to their communities while gaining a deeper appreciation for their own privileges and opportunities. By helping others who have fewer resources, students can develop empathy, compassion, and a greater understanding of the world beyond their immediate surroundings.

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Don't forget to subscribe to the show!

If you'd be so kind as to leave a rating and review, that would help tremendously!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Book Kevin to speak at your school or event!

Learn more about Kevin's speaking programs here!

Download the 3 part video series to learn all about Kevin's decision making framework for students.

Follow Kevin on social!

Facebook

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Have you ever come across those intense, aggressive, and highly popular motivational videos on YouTube? You know the kind, the ones that feature people running and lifting weights while some voice over dude screams in the background?! But have you ever wondered why these videos don't show people sitting down and studying or writing?!

In this episode, we explore the concept of motivation and why physical activities are often portrayed as being easier to motivate oneself for, compared to other tasks like studying or problem-solving. We'll discuss the differences between motivation and inspiration, and how understanding these distinctions can help us better support our students in their personal development and mental health.

But it's not just about understanding the psychology behind motivation; we'll also explore the importance of discovering one's "why" and developing positive habits in order to sustain motivation. Whether it's helping our students pass a challenging exam or overcome a difficult time in their life, truly understanding how motivation works can be the make or break.

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Don't forget to subscribe to the show!

If you'd be so kind as to leave a rating and review, that would help tremendously!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Book Kevin to speak at your school or event!

Learn more about Kevin's speaking programs here!

Download the 3 part video series to learn all about Kevin's decision making framework for students.

Follow Kevin on social!

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As teachers, administrators, and anyone involved in education, we can probably all recall the impact these activities had on our own lives and why they are so important for our students. From theater to sports, from music to student government, extra curricular activities teach our kids so much in the ways of social and emotional skills

1. Responsibility: Being part of a team or group requires students to take on responsibility, whether it's memorizing lines, learning songs, or managing their time effectively. The collective effort of working toward a common goal fosters a sense of accountability and instills valuable life skills.
2. Time Management: Juggling academic responsibilities with extracurricular commitments is a challenge many students face. By encouraging students to participate in these activities, we provide them with an opportunity to develop time management skills, learn to prioritize, and strike a balance between their various commitments.
3. Leadership: Joining clubs, sports teams, or debate groups allows students to explore and develop leadership qualities. From being a team captain to leading a section, extracurricular activities provide students with the chance to take on leadership roles and learn valuable lessons about teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.

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Don't forget to subscribe to the show!

If you'd be so kind as to leave a rating and review, that would help tremendously!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Book Kevin to speak at your school or event!

Learn more about Kevin's speaking programs here!

Download the 3 part video series to learn all about Kevin's decision making framework for students.

Follow Kevin on social!

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Today is a first experiment of the spotlight series. This will be a series on this podcast where we highlight individuals who are making a difference in the world of education. Today, we turn the spotlight on Doctor Justin Baeder, a former principal turned administrator mentor, who is helping principals become better leaders. We delve into one of his thought-provoking Tiktok videos regarding the push for teachers to also become therapists. Check it out!

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Don't forget to subscribe to the show!

If you'd be so kind as to leave a rating and review, that would help tremendously!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Book Kevin to speak at your school or event!

Learn more about Kevin's speaking programs here!

Download the 3 part video series to learn all about Kevin's decision making framework for students.

Follow Kevin on social!

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Last week I recorded an episode about the conflicting feelings of going back to school. I figured I would continue down of talking about the beginning of the year.

As educators, we have the power to not only teach academic subjects but also to prioritize our students' mental and physical health. So, how can we start the year off right and truly make an impact on their lives? What are some of the routines and systems that you're going to put into place this school year? Most importantly, how can we show our students that we care about more than just their grades?!

If your school district needs a little help with starting they year off right, book Kevin to speak at your school!

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Don't forget to subscribe to the show!

If you'd be so kind as to leave a rating and review, that would help tremendously!

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Learn more about Kevin's speaking programs here!

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