In this episode, we're joined by educator, author, and consultant Lori Cohen to explore a topic that is foundational to a child's well-being: the power of a parent's well-being. Drawing on her extensive experience as a teacher and her work with educators, Lori uses the metaphor of an "ecosystem" to help us understand schools—and how the adults (educators and families/caregivers) are a crucial part of their child's emotional landscape. Lori will share practical, proactive strategies parents can use to create well-being, from simple mindset shifts to everyday habits. This conversation is an essential guide for any parent who wants to be a strong, steady anchor for their child and create a healthy ecosystem at home.

Lori Cohen has worked in education for over 25 years, serving as a teacher, instructional coach, site leader, professional development facilitator, and published author. While working in schools, she developed a Teaching Fellows program for new teachers, in-house professional development tailored to the needs of the staff, built instructional coaching programs, and served as the Dean of Faculty where she oversaw the overhaul of teacher growth and evaluation. She also supported new teachers across the state of California as they developed their skills as early-career educators. Lori has also served on independent school boards and served as board chair.

In 2019, Lori began working as an independent consultant and has worked with clients all over the globe. She has worked with the Eastern Education Resource Collaborative (East Ed) and as the Developer of People and Programs for Bright Morning Consulting. She is a contributing author of The Art of Coaching Workbook (2020), co-author (with Elena Aguilar) of The PD Book: 7 Habits that Transform Professional Development (2022), and co-author (with Elizabeth Denevi) of Integrating Educator Well-Being, Growth, and Evaluation: Four Foundations for Leaders (2025). She is currently working on a book on transformative lesson planning, due out in 2026.

In this episode of What Great Teachers Know That All Parents Can Use, we sit down with Anthony Thomas, a high school dean, to explore how to discipline teenagers, set healthy boundaries, and build trust during the challenging high school years.

Anthony draws from his experience overseeing student discipline, attendance, and wellbeing, and explains how the role of a dean often overlaps with that of a parent: acting as a mediator, counsellor, cheerleader, and crisis responder for young people navigating adolescence. 

Together, we explore accountability, responsibility, and the importance of clear rules, especially for high school students living in an era shaped by social media and blurred boundaries.

Anthony shares practical insights on setting boundaries and building trust with teenagers, enforcing consequences with care, and building strong relationships through proactive conversations. He speaks about the idea of using structures and expectations as “guard rails” designed to catch young people before they fall. 

Whether you’re struggling with discipline or simply looking for better ways to connect with your teen, this conversation offers grounded advice from both an educator and a parent who understands the pressures families face today.

Anthony Thomas currently serves as Upper School Dean of Students and Head Boys Basketball Coach at Woodward Academy in College Park, Georgia.

Born in Atlanta and raised in College Park, Anthony Thomas is a 1998 graduate of Woodward Academy. He went on to earn his degree in Political Science from Furman University in 2002, where he was a four-year basketball letterman. He received his Juris Doctor from Georgia State University in 2005 and later completed a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Harvard University in 2024.

A licensed attorney with the Georgia Bar Association since 2005, Anthony has been a dedicated member of the Woodward Academy faculty since that same year. He is committed to student development both in and out of the classroom and the court. Anthony is passionate about connecting with students and supporting their growth as they find their stride.

A selfless, lifelong learner and self-described “ultimate teammate”, Anthony continues to seek out ways to empower young students each day. Outside of his professional life, Anthony enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters and is a passionate supporter of all things Atlanta sports.

Anthony’s successes can be traced back to one phrase: “to God be the glory!”

In this episode of What Great Teachers Know That All Parents Can Use, we’re joined by handwriting instruction specialist Holly Britton to explore why handwriting still matters, especially for elementary and middle school students growing up in a digital world.

With children typing more than ever at school, it’s easy to assume handwriting is becoming obsolete. But research and classroom experience tell a very different story. Holly explains how handwriting plays a critical role in brain development, literacy, motor skills, and learning, creating a powerful connection between the hands and the brain that typing simply can’t replicate. 

Holly also shares why correcting handwriting in the moment is so important for parents, and how small, early adjustments can prevent bad habits that become difficult to break later. You’ll gain practical insight into what to look for, how to support your child without frustration, and why handwriting instruction is about much more than neatness.

Whether your child struggles with handwriting, resists writing tasks, or you’re simply wondering how much handwriting still matters today, this episode offers research-backed guidance and practical strategies parents can use right away.

Holly's Bio and Resources

Holly Britton, M.Ed., is a curriculum designer, handwriting specialist, and instructional advisor

with teaching experience in grades K-8. Her passion for learning and teaching came organically

over 18 years of educating her own four children, teaching in classrooms, and serving as a

curriculum director at a private school. She is the founder and creator of Squiggle Squad, a TK-

2 handwriting curriculum. She continues to work with teachers and children to improve literacy.

Holly has over 26 years of private and public educational experience. She lives in the Sierra

Nevada mountains where she relishes time with her friends and family including her horses,

Shasta and Dash. 

www.squigglesquad.com/blog

Instagram: @squigglesquadhandwriting

@hollyonhandwriting

Facebook: www.facebook.com/squigglesquad

LinkedIn: www.linkedin/in/hollyhandwriting

FREE Resources: 

Digital Handout

Join us this week as I chat with former elmentary educator and children’s author Christine Devane about her new picture book Elephant Beach and how parents of elementary and middle-school-aged kids can support both shy and extroverted children. If you’ve ever wondered how to build empathy between introverts and their more outgoing peers, how to honor neurodiversity including autism and other temperament differences, or how to translate classroom strategies into home life — this episode is for you.
We’ll explore why quiet kids aren’t broken, how extroverts can become connectors, and how tools from the classroom (like offering choices and gentle invitations) translate into parenting wins around aquariums, library visits, birthday parties and beach days. We’ll also touch on ideas from Quiet (Susan Cain’s classic on introversion), the importance of seeing social comfort zones, and how you can celebrate your child’s style while helping them stretch in safe ways.
Grab Christine’s book here to bring this joyful, inclusive story home — and stay tuned as we unpack strategies you can start using tonight to nurture belonging, confidence and empathy.

Christine's Bio:

Christine grew up in North Andover, MA with her parents Tony and Joyce and brothers Anthony and Eddie. She was very shy when she was young and spent a lot of time reading. Throughout her childhood Christine loved animals, especially elephants. People started to buy them for her as a collection. Her grandparents, Eddie and Ginger, as well as her parents would bring her back lucky elephants from their trips. Throughout her childhood Christine always enjoyed trips to the beach with her family and grandparents.

In 2006 Christine graduated from Merrimack College with a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in Elementary Education. In 2008 she received her master’s degree in Elementary Education from Merrimack College. Christine would then go on to teach elementary school for the next 13 years. Her favorite part of the day was reading to her students. It was during reading time that she connected with her students through books. They learned, laughed and felt a range of emotions together. Christine decided that she wanted to write her own book for students to engage with, while learning and laughing. Since elephants have always been her favorite animal, she found it fitting to include them in her story. In 2017 Christine traveled to Africa with her mother and husband where she was able to see elephants living in the wild, which was always a lifelong dream. Many of the elephants were playing in the water and seemed to be having fun as they appear to in her book.

Christine and her husband John have 3 children- Joey, Nick and Adeline and a dog named Sophie with whom she loves to read with. They laugh at her stories and enjoy trips to the beach together as a family.

In this episode of What Great Teachers Know That All Parents Can Use, host Peyten Williams of Bowbend Consulting talks with Katherine Hamilton, Vice President of Programs at Ensemble Learning, about how dual language and bilingual programs unlock opportunity, equity, and brain growth for children.

Katherine explains how multilingual classrooms help students become bilingual, biliterate, and bicultural—and why research shows that kids in these programs often outperform their peers academically. Parents will learn:

• What dual language and bilingual classrooms look like day-to-day

• How to support your child even if you don’t speak the second language

• Why bilingualism strengthens the brain and fosters empathy and belonging

• How parents and teachers can partner for multilingual success

Whether you’re raising a preschooler or a high-schooler, this episode will expand your understanding of language learning, inclusion, and character development at home and at school.

Listen to discover how bilingual education builds not only stronger students—but more connected humans.

In this episode, Ted Sadtler and Peyten Williams dive into a topic educators think a lot about: the learning zone. Or, as teachers call it, the Zone of Proximal Development.

As parents, when you're trying to teach your child to tie a shoe, load the dishes, shake hands with your colleague, or remember to pack their violin for school the next day, you're working with children who are in the proximal zone.

But what even is this fancy term? How can it help me parent better? And by the way, is pressure a bad thing? What is the importance of play? And how do we know if our children are in the right zone for learning? Find out in this episode!

Ted Sadtler serves as a Spanish teacher and Middle School Director of Teaching and Learning at The Westminster Schools, where he has been for 26 years. Ted leads division-wide professional development initiatives and engages faculty in a 1:1 coaching relationship. He holds a B.A. in Spanish from Radford University, an M.A. in Spanish Literature from The University of Georgia, and a variety of coaching certifications through IECL and Leadership Systems.

Seventh grade can feel like a rollercoaster for both kids and parents. In this episode of What Great Teachers Know That All Parents Can Use, Peyten Williams sits down with Shazeen Porbandarwala, a seasoned seventh-grade math teacher and grade chair at The Westminster Schools, to unpack the unique challenges and incredible growth that define this pivotal year.

With warmth, wisdom, and insight drawn from years in the classroom (and her own parenting journey), Shazeen shares what really goes on in the minds and hearts of seventh graders. You'll walk away with practical advice, developmental insights, and the reassurance that you're not alone in navigating this exciting (and sometimes baffling) stage of parenting. 

Shazeen currently serves as the 7th Grade Chair at The Westminster Schools, where she has taught for 12 years. She also teaches Algebra. Shazeen holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Emory University, graduate degrees from Georgia State University and Lincoln Memorial University, and she is pursuing a doctorate in education at Johns Hopkins University, focusing her research on cumulative low math achievement and mindset. Shazeen also serves on the Board of Trustees at Trinity School. Outside of work, Shazeen has two children and enjoys playing pickleball, traveling, and cooking.

Join us as we welcome Dr. Regina Nixon to the show to discuss a crucial and often overlooked part of a child's educational journey: the parents. We've all heard the phrase "it takes a village," but what does it really mean for the relationship between parents and schools?

Dr. Nixon explains how parents are a vital component of the school community, and how a shared purpose—focusing on the child, the school's mission, and its core values—is the key to a strong partnership.

In this episode, we'll dive into practical strategies for becoming an effective "village member." Dr. Nixon will share advice on things like how to handle difficult situations with grace, including when and how to send that email when you're upset.

We'll also explore what you should expect from a great school, and what to do if you aren't getting the support you need. Dr. Nixon reminds us that we are all on the same team and that a little humility goes a long way. This episode is packed with insights to help you build a better partnership with your child's school so they can truly thrive.

Dr. Nixon Bio:

Dr. Regina Nixon is, above all else, a teacher and a lifelong learner. She sees herself not as an expert in all things—but as an expert in learning, reflection, and growth. With a career spanning classroom teaching, educational technology, admissions, and school leadership, Regina brings deep experience in building inclusive, joyful learning communities.

She currently serves as Head of Lower School at Cannon School in North Carolina, after holding several leadership roles in Concord, Massachusetts and previous schools before. Across every role, Regina is known for centering children, nurturing belonging, and helping others grow.

Regina holds a B.S. in Elementary Education, an M.A. in Instructional Technology, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania. But ask her what she’s most proud of, and she’ll tell you: “Each day, I get to learn from our students the meaning of you belong here. Our students live our core values each day and it inspires me and keeps me coming back.”

For more resources, check out Bowbend Consulting's website: https://bowbendconsulting.com

Kids will mess up. They’ll lie, cheat, forget their homework, lose their lunchbox, and sometimes do something that makes you wonder, What were you thinking? But great teachers know: these are teachable moments, not final verdicts.

In this episode, veteran educator Maryellen Berry from Whitefield Academy shares how the best teachers respond when kids fall short—not with shame or lectures, but with strategies that build accountability, trust, and character.

If you’ve ever wondered how to hold your child accountable without crushing their spirit, this episode is for you. Real stories, practical tools, and a whole lot of hope await.

Tune in and learn how to turn mistakes into momentum.

Guest: Lauren Davis, 6th Grade Teacher & Mom of Two Teens
Host: Peyten Williams

Episode Summary:
If you’ve got a rising or current 6th grader, this episode is your survival guide.

Middle school teacher and mom Lauren Davis knows sixth grade inside and out—from the locker struggles to the lost homework to the friendship drama. In this high-energy, deeply practical conversation, she shares exactly what sixth graders are really like, how their brains and social lives are changing, and what parents can do to support growing independence without taking over.

Inside this can’t-miss episode:

• What actually helps kids take ownership of their schedule and materials

• How to teach communication and self-advocacy in real, doable ways

• When (and how) to talk with your middle schooler after school

• Common parent traps—and how to avoid them

• The one strategy she wishes every parent would try with their 6th grader

With humor, empathy, and classroom-tested insight, Lauren equips parents with both mindset shifts and practical tools to thrive through the middle school years.