Incredible ideas shared to inspire and educate us on effective non-traditional teaching situations. 

A Ted Talks Video presentation

Mr. Smith is like a lot of teachers who are Spirit Whisperers. He doesn't make loud or long statements at staff meetings, but works quietly in his high school making a difference in the lives of students one day, one child at a time.

Mr. Smith is like a lot of teachers who are Spirit Whisperers. He doesn't make loud or long statements at staff meetings, but works quietly in his high school making a difference in the lives of students one day, one child at a time.

What Is It, Who Has It, and How to Get It

First, realize that although each of the following children are all bright, they have not developed the emotional skills necessary for success in these life situations. Such skills, many of which we often take for granted, thankfully can be taught, and have most recently been coined emotional intelligence (EQ) by Daniel Goleman in his best-selling book Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ.

Your six-year-old has just seen video footage of devastating destruction including collapsed buildings, crushed cars, and homes under water, all vivid images resulting from the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Your teen sits transfixed watching the numbers of dead and injured mount. At the dinner table your fifth grader asks, "Can anything like that happen to us, Dad?"

Many of our thoughts about parenting are outdated. Used by others before us, they have been passed on as worn-out hand-me-downs that no longer fit the time, the place, or us as uncommon parents.