Seeds of Success....starts here

Candlelight & Soundbites: A New Kind of Connection

Teaching has a way of humbling us. No matter how much we prepare, there are days when the lesson flops, the students giggle at our expense, or we walk away thinking, Well… that didn’t go as planned.

In the moment, those experiences can feel like setbacks, or even shame. But give it some time, and they often become the very stories we tell with a smile. They remind us that growth isn’t polished; it’s human.

I’ve noticed that when we share these stories, something powerful happens. The walls between “leader” and “teacher,” “new” and “veteran,” start to crumble. What’s left is honesty, laughter, and the quiet comfort of knowing: none of us are doing this alone.

That spirit is what inspired my newest free resource, Candlelight & Soundbites (found under "Seeds of Success" tab). Think of it like a poetry reading, but instead of poems, leaders and veteran teachers share their “most embarrassing” teaching moments, and the wisdom that came with them. It’s a simple activity you can use to spark connection and compassion in your own school community.

Because sometimes the seeds of success don’t come from the big wins. They sprout from the cracks, where honesty, vulnerability, and growth take root.