Bravely Connected

Happy September, everyone! As the new school year begins, it’s a time filled with anticipation, fresh starts, and, let’s be honest, a bit of anxiety for students, parents, and teachers alike. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or anyone striving to make this year fantastic, I’ve got an entire connection plan laid out for you—from September to June—to help you foster meaningful connections in your classroom, home, or workplace.

Navigating New Rules and Transitions
This year in my province, we’ve implemented a new rule: no cell phone use in schools. As a parent and educator, I’m all for it, but I recognize it’s like taking away a child’s security blanket. Think of it this way—if you take a favorite stuffy away from a toddler, we all know that you need a plan to help them transition. It’s no different with screens. When we consider child anxiety related to screens, it often circles back to us, the adults. How are we managing without our digital comforts? But that’s a discussion for another day.

The Importance of Connection
For today, let’s focus on creating connection. From now until June, I want to guide you through a plan that prioritizes connection—in your classroom, at home, where you work, and in your community. September is the perfect time to be intentional about this. Everyone is back, and while some may be excited, others might not be so thrilled—my own kids included. So, how do we support those who are hesitant or even downright unhappy about the new school year? How do we bring them from a state of survival to thriving and motivated?

Understanding the Brain’s Role
To truly connect and motivate, it’s essential to understand how our brains work under stress. When kids (or anyone) are anxious, they operate from the back of their brain—the amygdala—where survival mode takes over. It’s impossible to engage in higher-level thinking, problem-solving, or even get excited about learning when stuck in this state. The goal is to guide them from this reactive state to the prefrontal cortex, where creativity and problem-solving thrive. And the key to this shift? Empathy.

Empathy as the Catalyst for Change
As Dr. Bruce Perry explains in his book What Happened to You, co-authored with Oprah, you can’t simply strategize your way out of anxiety and into motivation. Pep talks, rewards, or even guest speakers won’t cut it if the underlying neurological state isn’t addressed. The way forward is through empathy—genuine understanding and connection. So, as we embark on this year, let’s make empathy our starting point.

Practical Steps for September: The Attune In, Attune Out Process
September is all about focusing on connection. But remember, connection doesn’t just happen by throwing people together and hoping for the best. It’s cultivated. One method I recommend is the “Attune In, Attune Out” process. This approach starts with self-awareness. Before you can connect with others, you need to check in with yourself. What’s your emotional state? How are you feeling as you hear about school anxieties or struggles from your students or children? By differentiating your feelings from theirs, you can be fully present and more effective in addressing their needs.

Applying the Attune In, Attune Out Process
Begin by observing behaviours—whether in your classroom, home, or workplace. Notice if someone is disengaged, unmotivated, or struggling to connect. Instead of jumping straight to solutions or discipline, ask yourself: What might they be thinking? What emotions could be driving those behaviours? This empathetic inquiry allows you to connect on a deeper level without assuming you have all the answers.

I want to build on that foundation of attuning in and out by introducing you to a special cheat sheet I’ve created—15 Ways to Create Connection. But remember, simply implementing these 15 tips without the attune in, attune out process won’t be as effective. You need both to truly make a difference. You can request that cheat sheet by clicking here and saying, “Send me the cheatsheet!”

This is a free resource packed with actionable steps to help you build a great foundation of connection in September. Once that’s in place, we can move forward into the next phases of the year, focusing on goal-oriented actions, vision, values, and much more.

October: From Belonging to Vision and Goals
After setting the stage for connection in September, October is the time to dive deeper into what drives us—vision, goals, and values. It’s not just about asking students or kids to set goals; it’s about understanding what they value and what motivates them at a deeper level. For many, setting goals can feel flat or forced, especially for those who may already feel disconnected. Instead, focus on creating a sense of belonging first—because belonging fosters resilience.

When we know what we value, we start to understand what drives us, and that’s where goal-setting becomes meaningful. In October, I’ll be sharing tips through my email list on how to have these deeper conversations and help those who might not naturally engage. If you want to be on that email list, click here and say “Put me on the list” and you’re IN!

November: Strengths-Based Resilience
November will centre around identifying and celebrating strengths—a core aspect of my work in strength-based resilience. We often get caught up in focusing on what’s wrong or what needs fixing, but what if we flipped the script? Recognizing what’s strong, not just what’s wrong, gives those who are struggling a much-needed win.

Encouragement plays a crucial role here. A simple phrase I teach to first and second graders is, “When I encourage, you get courage.” This concept holds true at every age—when we acknowledge and celebrate strengths, we empower people to keep showing up. Throughout November, I’ll send out practical activities and tips for pulling out strengths, so keep an eye on your inbox if you’ve signed up for my emails! (again to join the list click here)

December: Fostering Intrinsic Motivation
As we head into December, motivation becomes the focus—but not the flashy, jump-up-and-down kind. I’m talking about intrinsic motivation, the type that comes from within and keeps us moving through the tougher times. December can be a stressful month with report cards just finishing in November, concerts, and the hustle of the holidays, so we need a motivation strategy that’s rooted in joy and togetherness. I’ll be sharing ways in those weekly emails to keep the energy positive and cohesive, helping us all finish strong and enter the new year with a renewed sense of purpose.

January and Beyond: Repetition and Deepening the Connection
When we return in January, we’ll revisit these foundational elements of connection, vision, and strengths—only now, we’ll take them a layer deeper. If you’re reading this blog later in the year, don’t worry; it’s never too late to start. The beauty of this approach is in its repetition and consistency. By circling back and building on each concept multiple times throughout the year, we create a sustainable and powerful impact.

Each month, from February through June, will focus on reinforcing these cycles of connection, vision, strengths, and motivation. It’s all about scaffolding—layering these practices so that they go deeper and resonate more profoundly over time.

A Year-Long Commitment to Connection and Growth
This entire year-long plan revolves around the concept of attunement. Unlike simple connection, which is about making contact, attunement dives deeper into truly seeing and understanding one another. It’s about recognizing that every person—whether a child in your classroom, a coworker at the office, or your own child at home—matters.

By breaking down these concepts into manageable, bite-sized chunks, we can integrate attunement into our daily lives without feeling overwhelmed. For educators, this means you can stay focused on your primary role—teaching—while still nurturing an environment of empathy and understanding. For parents, this approach allows you to connect with your children consistently, creating that slow, steady drip of attunement that makes a lasting impact.

Looking Ahead: Staying Connected All Year Long
I’m committed to walking this journey with you. For those already on my email list, you know what’s coming each month—a steady stream of tips, insights, and encouragement to keep you motivated and on track! If you’re not yet on the list, I invite you to join. It’s free, and it’s my way of supporting you as you strive to make a difference in the lives of those around you. You can do that by clicking here.

This year, let’s be brave together. Let’s create a ripple effect of connection, understanding, and resilience that lasts far beyond the final school bell in June. Keep being brave, and I can’t wait to see the incredible impact we’ll make together!