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Cooking the Books
Hello, In last week's post, " Just Like Me ," I wrote about how when someone is at the intersted level of engagement, they like what...

Heather Lyon
Apr 16, 20254 min read


Just Like Me
Hello, When I present on engagement, I often kick things off with the “Just Like Me” game. I share a series of statements about myself,...

Heather Lyon
Apr 9, 20254 min read


Designing Curb Cuts for Invisible Backpacks
Hello, Are you familiar with the concept of an “invisible backpack?” I've been thinking and writing about this concept for years (see the...

Heather Lyon
Apr 2, 20254 min read


I Love Learning—So Why Do I Hate Being a Student?
Hello, As a student, I was always good at school. I was the kid who did my homework, studied for tests, and followed the rules. In high...

Heather Lyon
Mar 19, 20255 min read


Was It Good for You? (Talking About Reading, Obviously)
Hello, I was once a reader. The kind of elementary school kid who would curl up with a book for hours, lost in Anne of Green Gables’...

Heather Lyon
Mar 12, 20256 min read


I Am Not a Bonsai
Hello, In honor of March being Women’s History Month, I’ve gone back to my roots (pun intended?–see below and you decide). Years...

Heather Lyon
Mar 5, 20252 min read


Leading Through Turbulence: What Sturdy Leaders Do Differently
Hello, My mom would tell you that the first time I flew, I was three. She says I walked onto the plane like I owned it—confident and...

Heather Lyon
Feb 19, 20257 min read


Don't Take Work Advice from a Comedian
Hello, In The Republic , Plato—through Socrates—distinguishes between craft (technē) and wage-earning. The idea is that a true...

Heather Lyon
Feb 12, 20255 min read


What's the Difference Between Interested and Absorbed? (And Why It Matters)
Hello, In my work on engagement, I explore the four levels of engagement—non-compliant, compliant, interested, and absorbed. The last two...

Heather Lyon
Feb 5, 20257 min read


Milestones and Memories
Hello, It's hard to believe it's been nearly a decade since I published my first blog post, " I Already Have High Standards ," back in...

Heather Lyon
Jan 22, 20254 min read


Saying No to Negativity
Hello, For reasons that I cannot explain, certain parts of songs, movies, books, and TV shows have stayed with me despite the decades...

Heather Lyon
Jan 15, 20255 min read


Plot Twist
Hello, Dirty Dancing. The mere mention of those two words likely conjures up images of Patrick Swayze's iconic lift, Jennifer Grey's...

Heather Lyon
Jan 8, 20254 min read


Present Company Included
Hello, If I were to ask you to tell me about a present you received that you really loved—for whatever reason—what comes to mind? A...

Heather Lyon
Dec 11, 20245 min read


Tell Me Why
Hello, In 1999, The Backstreet Boys released, "I Want It That Way." In the song, the chorus declares, "Tell me why" repeatedly. While the...

Heather Lyon
Dec 4, 20247 min read


Better Late Than Never: A Post on the Engagement Framework
Hello, Engagement is a topic I think about constantly. Each week, as I write my blog posts, if there is something related to engagement...

Heather Lyon
Nov 20, 20246 min read


Game Over: Finding Healthy Ways to Disrupt the Blame Game
Hello, I am thirteen months younger than my older sister, Brooke. Growing up, our sibling rivalry was intense, and the inevitable...

Heather Lyon
Nov 13, 20247 min read


Rooting Around
Hello, While in a recent PD session, the facilitator, Dr. Robert Chalwell, Jr. , had us read three scenarios and choose one or two to...

Heather Lyon
Nov 6, 20245 min read


Coming Up Short
Hello, This fall, I returned to school for the first time in nearly a decade, pursuing my School District Business Leader (SDBL)...

Heather Lyon
Oct 23, 20247 min read


Yes, And!
Hello, Let me say overtly and without question, teachers everywhere deserve raises. They are underpaid and overworked. The pay gap is...

Heather Lyon
Oct 16, 20244 min read


The Results Are In
Hello, In 1966, The Who released the song “The Kids Are Alright” as a celebration of youthful rebellion and optimism. It captured the...

Heather Lyon
Oct 9, 20244 min read
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