Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce PA (MCCC)’s Post

Communicators need to listen. In my experience, when an underrepresented community member shares a story, it's usually a good one. I can't tell you how often dominant-narrative bias has prevented people from seeing the value in invisible narratives, the stories of lived experiences. I recently spoke on DEI communications: authentic storytelling, leveraging channels and building capacity. You can only do that by building listening skills. It's a practice that takes daily work and is part of the necessity of telling stories WITH the community instead of FOR them. When Luis Alonzo Garcia shared this photo with me, I knew I had to listen. I also knew that this needed to be shared broadly. A quick post later: it's a win for our community, platforms and strategic goals. I'm happy to see it perform well and even happier to see better representation and the sheer pride of the first-generation community being amplified. So, the next time someone shares an underrepresented story, listen. You may not end up with a published piece right away, but if you keep an open mind, you will start to see ways to bridge the narrative gap. There's a greater story waiting to be told. #DEICommunications #FirstGenerationCollegeStudent

Count me among the students Judy Brown helped during her 43 years at Watkinson School . As a new educator, here are some #wordsofwisdom I gleaned from Judy's career: 🥉 Keep your humanity front and center. Often, this advice is applied in the context of interacting with students (e.g: see students as human), but I think that it is easier to be human as a student—especially if you happen to be a student with one or more marginalized identity—if the people in power who you interface with (that means educators in all roles) first own their own fallibility—and lives outside of work! An easy way to set these kind of humanity-affirming (and thus healthy) expectations: Explicitly say when you check your emails/other work communications in your email signature, syllabus, or any other student-facing information page. If you, for example, work from 9 to 5 on Mondays through Fridays then, this way, a student who sends an email at 6 PM at Friday KNOWS that you are not blowing them off if you respond at 9 AM on Monday. Another (more fun) way to display your humanity is to have mementos in your office or virtual space, inviting conversation about hobbies and other non-work dimensions of life. (No person is one-dimensional!) 📧 🍋 🥈 Don't forget about SMART goals. At least for me, this is something I tend to slip with as the school year / semester goes on, but they're called SMART goals for a reason! And they're smart for students and educators alike! Start a meeting with discussion of goals named (and preferably written or in some other way made "tangible") last time. End a meeting with articulation of new goals and/or refinement of previously-articulated goals. Ambition is important, but ambition without direction is a recipe for burnout. And victories of any size are revitalizing—and call for celebration! 📋 🔥 In case you need a reminder of what SMART goals are: Specific Measurable Achievable Relevant Time-Based 🥇 Always maintain a curiosity stance. Enter as a co-investigator, not the judge. Combine your expertise (e.g: of a program's GPA requirements, of your class' rules around late work, etc.) with the expertise of the student (e.g: career goals, circumstances that led to work not being completed on-time, etc.). You are on the same team! And even if you do not get the result that you want, there is always a learning experience to be gleaned. 🔎 🧠 What lessons have you learned from retiring educators who touched your life? Please share in this space! 💭 #grateful #reflection #educator

Scholastic’s 2023 holiday message made this literature lover’s heart grow 3 sizes! The video reminded me instantly of my AP English teacher’s mantra that “language is power.” This very mantra is what inspired me to become an English teacher. Who knew that nearly 12 years later, that same mantra drives my current exploration of new careers in copywriting, editing, and roles rooted in communication! Much like the concept mentioned in the video, I used to implement a similar lesson within my classroom after the New Year. Students would choose one word that represented their goals and visions for the next 365 days. Not only did this lesson encourage students to make time for self-reflection amidst the stress and chaos of midterms, it also reminded students of a very important message. Our words carry weight— not only the words we speak to others, but also the words we speak towards ourselves. During this time of year and beyond, let’s choose our words wisely. My word for 2024? Clarity. Here’s to a healthy and successful 2024!

Advice to new Pepperdine grads: Creatively and intentionally develop purpose, service, and leadership in your work. It's possible to be a self-centered worker in the nonprofit sector, just as much as it's possible to be an accountant or marketing exec living out selfless service. Don't let assumptions about your industry or seniority limit your intentional cultivation and application of core values and character. What would you add? 💙🧡 🌊

In part 2 of honoring our Society's 125th Anniversary, we're taking a moment to reflect on ASCRS U and the value that our educational resources have for both members and the wider public. In this video, Joshua Bleier, MD, FACS, FASCRS and Najjia Mahmoud, MD, FACS, FASCRS explain how education has evolved over the years while remaining at the heart of our mission. https://lnkd.in/eiABAp-e

Graduates, it's that time of year again! As you embark on this next chapter of your life, I want to share some advice that has helped me tremendously: Dream big. With dreams, all things are possible. Remember to always keep your goals in sight and work hard towards them. Best of luck on your future endeavors! #DreamBig #GraduationAdvice

Congratulations to all graduates, and… I am glad to share that I graduated with honors from William James College, earning a Masters, Organizational Psychology with a specialization in Organizational Development and Change. This complements the Graduate Certificate in Executive Coaching (GCEC) in Leadership Psychology earned here in 2022. These new learnings, disciplines, and adaptive leadership skills have shaped my journey and allow me to bring forward a new dimension in my life’s work. It was this powerful potential and the school’s reputation and commitment to experiential learning that led me to William James College in 2021 to build this new dimension. A few highlights from this journey include: - Inducted in Psi Chi Honor Society, 4.0 GPA - Developed a set of adaptive leadership skills, use-of-self, for organizational diagnostics, design, intervention, transformation and change management to build character, work with people, teams, and organizations in a more powerful way. - Expanded an invaluable network of people, including students, seasoned professionals, advisors, and company founders within the coaching, consulting, business development and high technology space. As a leader, learner, continuing my education and growth journey and earning this second master's degree (RPI 1996) has been a personal goal and commitment. My advice for those on their own learning journey is one day, one assignment at a time. Finally, thank you to my family, friends, instructors, cohort(s), and network who inspired me, stretched me, and expanded my thinking. Especially want to thank Dr. Darlene M. Piva, MA, PsyD, Lynne D. Richer, EdD, GPHR, Dr. Miranda Lane, LPsyD, LCMHC, Ara Haroutiounian and Suzanne Boulos at William James College. You have walked along side with me, and for that I am grateful. Now, I am prepared, and energized for what’s next, and new beginnings with learning, new experiences, and more to give. #WilliamJamesCollege #organizationalpsychologist #newbeginnings #trusttheprocess #culturechange #transformation #leadership #allyship #coaching #consulting #mindset

PSA for Parents: I invite students in 6th, 7th & 8th grade to participate in the upcoming National Civics Bee. Students write a short essay. The top essays get invited to a regional competition where students can win $$$ hosted by the Bridgeport Regional Business Council (BRBC) Top 3-winners then compete at State level and ultimately National level. Details and entries here: https://lnkd.in/e3ag-Teb Deadline to submit is February 19th. The participant can be home schooled, does not have to be enrolled in traditional public/private school system and can be from anywhere in #CT. Here's why this is important: 53% of Americans can't name all three branches of government 79% of 8th graders score below proficient in civics 52% of young people think democracy has failed or is in trouble PASS IT ON!

Good and Fair , as we do it for 13y

I am thrilled to share that I have been inducted into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where I am pursuing my Master's in Educational Psychology: Learning Analytics! So far, I've been able to maintain my 4.0 GPA and I'm excited for the challenge in keeping it up this coming term! Especially considering the new and exciting things that will be happening but that will be an update for next week 😉 #PhiKappaPhi #EducationalPsychology #LearningAnalytics #UWMadison #AcademicExcellence #GraduateStudies