College Ready

Sharing strategies for student success, college readiness and academic coaching

Category Archives: Teaching


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The Big Reveal: This is the Most Dangerous Book in America

In yesterday’s post, I included an image of 40 books that have been banned and today, I promised you the title of the Most Dangerous Book in America… and here it is. Drum roll please…

He’s charming. He’s bald. He’s a baby in a diaper. He’s CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS…

That’s right. The #1 spot on the Top 10 Most Frequently Challenged or Banned Books for 2012 goes to none other than the irrepressible, irreverent Dav Pilkey and his erstwhile tralala’ing Captain Underpants.

I get it. Parents don’t like potty mouth and they don’t like the word Poop. Or boogers. Or diaper-wearing babies that make fart jokes. But guess what?? Kids do! Boys and Girls do! Reluctant Readers do! And that’s all that matters, in the end, is the reading. We need to hook kids into reading, and kids love these books.

Let them read. Please. Parents and  teachers, I implore you to simply let kids read what they love. And hey, I’ll let you in on a secret: a few silly poop jokes never hurt anyone.

So go ahead. Live Dangerously and read this book or any other banned book. Celebrate your Freedom to Read!

xo, Lisa

“We shouldn’t teach great books. We should teach a love of reading.” B. F. Skinner


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Live Dangerously. Read!

 Celebrate Banned Books-read one of these 40 books that have been banned or otherwise challenged.

Biggest surprise? Charlotte’s Web. But maybe an even bigger surprise…the #1 Most Banned Book of 2012. Think you know what it is? Post your guess in the comments and I will let you know on Thursday.

For now, I’ll give you a hint–it *is a children’s book. Ok, I’ll give you two hints–it is not pictured here. Good luck!

Please consider becoming a CollegeReadyCoach follower. Help us spread the word about student success & happy teachers!! You can follow us on facebook. You know the drill, just click that little blue “like” button up there on the top right. Easy Peasy. Or, you can follow the blog as a subscriber. Just enter your info in the box and join the over 400+ other amazing folks in the tribe! Please and thank you. 🙂

xoxo,

Lisa (aka, The Happy Teacher)


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88. Another Life Lesson #2

Wise Words on Things to Give Up–

Tai's avatarTo Inspire From Within

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Teaching with Soul

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Teaching with Soul

I Learn Everyday. I Teach.

Every teacher knows this. We are Always Learning. In fact, we learn from our students each and every day.

We know that teaching is not about the teacher, it is about the students. The students are the focus of the classroom, and the students are why we are there. Each one of them comes to us with dreams and it is really a gift that we are given to be there to help them find their path to pursue those dreams.

Teachers–you are truly golden.

xo, Lisa


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7 Ways to Retain College Transfer Students

This post is a re-print from Jo Hilman of Noel Levits. For the full post, click Campus officials rate retention programs for college transfer students less effective than first-year student retention programs

7-point checklist for retaining college transfer students, by Jo Hilman

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Understanding transfer students’ attitudes, receptivity, motivations, and level of satisfaction with services is important in supporting their needs. The key is to tailor student success programs to these needs. Below are ideas to consider.

Does your institution offer:

1.  Orientation programs tailored specifically for transfer students, including segments that address concerns such as transfer of credit, finances, major-related internships, and meaningful work experiences?

2.  Programs beyond the usual classroom and advising services that connect transfer students to faculty, staff, and native students within academic or co-curricular interest areas?

3.  Peer mentors for transfer students?

4.  Assignment of students to an advisor within the student’s major/area of interest with an early focus on confirming or further refining a written academic plan?

5.  An advising center devoted to transfer students?

6.  Career fairs for students who are undecided about a major?

7.  Academic support services based on areas of student need and receptivity?

All of these areas are solid ways to support transfer students and increase transfer student retention.

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Sunday, Smiling, and Why Being Nice Matters!

This is important: Be Nice to Yourself! Image

Sunday is a good day for a little reflection, a little relaxation, and a whole lot of being nice to yourself. Smile. Breathe. Take a minute to recharge and get ready for the week ahead. Remember, studies show that the brain on positive is over 30% more effective than on stressed, or even neutral.

How to get and stay positive: Be Nice…to YOU! Take some time to do at least one thing each day that is just for you. Even if that one thing is only 5 minutes in your day!

Have a great week. xo~Lisa


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Got Grit? Why Resilience is “THE” Essential 21st Century Skill

“More than education, more than experience, more than training, a person’s level of resilience will determine who succeeds and who fails.” D. Coutu, Harvard Business Review, 2002.

This is very true. It’s all about resilience. Resilience is the key to success in academics, in the professional world, and in life in general. You have to have the grit to get back up, every time someone, or something, knocks you down.

Because, it’s also true that you are going to fail. At some point in life, you are going to be the one that doesn’t make the team, or forgot to print an assignment that was due, or missed out on the promotion. It will happen and at that moment, you have that choice. To stay down. Where things are easy…or to get back up where it’s messy and hard. Get up, each and every time. Get up, and find a way.

That takes some courage. And I’m not saying that it’s always easy. But you just do it. You get back up. And each time, it gets a little easier. That’s what resilience is all about.

Simple ways to be resilient: Talk to your career counselors, tutorial center, mentors, friends, even parents, and find out strategies you can use this year when things get tough and sleeping in sounds so much better than going to class. Remember too, Michael Jordan’s words, “If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.”

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The Only Writing Advice You Will Ever Need

Ernest Hemingway said, “All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know.” 

“All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know.” ― Ernest Hemingway

There is nothing like the power of truth in writing. Writing in your own voice empowers you to tell your story in an authentic way. And don’t worry about what the critics say, there are always going to be haters. When you write your truth, it rings so clear and honest that readers pay attention. And the same is true in life, generally. There’s no substitute for authenticity…for the real.

Life can be messy. Writing is Messy. Life can be hard. Writing is Hard…but just start…with that one true sentence.

~~On Truth, Giving Back, and Free Stuff~~

I am amazed and humbled that even with very little publicity, and still pending a formal launch, this blog will reach 500 views over the weekend, maybe even today…and that’s how I was reminded of this quote. I decided to just start, to jump in, and to share my truth, after being in the planning stage for over a year. Eventually, you just have to take that leap (was the attitude I embraced while jumping!)

Why jump, and risk the fall? I want to give back a little of what my mentors and colleagues have given me. I want to model openness in the academic community. And I especially want to help young adults navigate a path to higher ed and opportunity. (You can read more about all of this in my first post.)

So to celebrate 500 views, from people all over the world, and to thank everyone for the support you’ve given me, I’m going to be offering a free academic coaching session to one new follower on my College Ready facebook page. So check out the details there, if you (or someone you know) is either in college or getting ready to launch their college career. Thanks for reading a little bit of my truth here!

xo, Lisa

PS: Curious as to the most popular posts so far? Here they are:

Students Just Say No to America’s Top Colleges 

Think Before You Share: 7 Rules for Posting Photos Online

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Books Worth Reading

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I’m reading The Book Thief. How about you? What are you reading?


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Tutorial: How to Make an Infographic using Piktochart.

This is an amazing tutorial, with step-by-step instructions, on “How to Make an Infographic” using Piktochart, by Mia MacMeekin. I always find her infographics engaging and easy to follow, so I was excited that she did this tutorial and thought it was worth sharing. Like she says, she finds them “simple” to do , but simple often means “hundreds of hours playing w Piktochart.” Still, it’s a skill all 21st educators are going to want to add to their toolbox…so here it is. Enjoy.

Mia's avatarAn Ethical Island

Hello, World!

Lots of my friends have been asking me how I make the infographics. I find it very simple. But, I admit that that simple mindset is after hundreds of hours playing with Piktochart. I think I know most of the quirks. Well that was I did until last week when Piktochart updated the website. BUT, I am getting used to the new platform and love it!

Here is a quick overview of how I make them…

How to Make a Piktochart infogrpahic

~Mia

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