Getting Back To What We Do Best

  Finding Passion Please forgive me for skipping a week here and there. To be honest, some weeks during this pandemic, I have a hard time locating my passion. But… lately a few things have brought back that good old feeling!      In 2014, I gave a TEDx talk called “Isn’t It A Pity?…

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Stay In Touch With KIT!

Hello, Friends & Happy April, I hope you and your family are healthy and safe and adjusting to the new reality. These are trying times, and you may wonder what can fuel my passion when there isn’t much inclusion going on in the world. This week I am inspired by our KIT team and how…

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It’s September Already?

Last week we had a few “How is it already September?” conversations. Before we know it, it will be 2019. There is a lot to do between now and then though, and the feeling we have is positive and powerful. Here’s why… Our new Open Learning platform launched this week! If you want to check it…

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Farewell Fiscal Year 2017-2018!

Hello! Friday marked the end of our KIT 2017-2018 fiscal year, a time when we like to tally up what we did over the past year. Y’all, we did a lot of inclusion training this year! Here are a few highlights: And we… formed a partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America! We developed…

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Happy Mother’s Day!

Mother’s Day always causes me to reflect on the founding of KIT. Started by a mother (Gayle Slate) who was inspired by her own experience parenting a child with a disability in a not-very-welcoming world, who then became a marriage and family therapist so she could help other parents, KIT has always been fueled by…

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When the Teacher Takes a Page Out of the Camp Counselor’s Book

A wise mentor once told me, “Camp counselors need to learn from teachers, and teachers need to learn from camp counselors.” I got what he was saying, but I’m not sure I really got it. This week, I gave it a try. I’ve been feeling bogged down by my job. With standardized testing coming up,…

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Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!

Last Fall, this video, in which Lily Eskelsen Garcia explains ALL that teachers do each day, went viral. … And it’s true! Many teachers are caregivers, primary emotional support providers, instructional experts, snack-givers, referees, relationship-builders, and much more. Teachers, thank you for all that you do to promote confidence and help students find  a sense…

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Happy Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week!

This week is National Afterschool Association (NAA)’s Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week! This week is a chance to thank the people who make an incredible range of afterschool activities possible for children and families across the United States. With two parents who worked full-time, I attended after-school activities throughout my childhood. I had the opportunity to…

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Seeing Each Other as Humans: Sportsmanship

Throughout my life, I have loved this time of year. As a zealous NFL fan (Go Steelers!), I love watching the playoffs as our country prepares for the Super Bowl– the best day of the year for football, commercials, and an amazing concert. (Side note: Did you know that this year’s Super Bowl halftime show…

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When I Know My Work Here is Done

With the holidays coming, everyone at school as been squirrelly, students and teachers alike. With the restlessness has come some behavioral challenges, and I have felt myself beginning to lose patience. Sometimes, I just think to yourself, “Were my directions really that difficult? Why doesn’t anyone seem to listen? If I hear, ‘Wait, what are…

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