FocusED Show Notes with Suzanne Dailey

Suzanne starts off by defining that teaching happier is also coaching happier and leading happier. Happier is not about toxic positivity but rather contentment and alignment. 

When we feel happier as a person, we’re better coworkers, teachers, friends, etc. 

Suzanne talks about the research- behavioral psychology and neuroscience- and says that there are very specific strategies that we can use to be happier. 

Two practices she mentions early in the podcast are getting moving and practicing gratitude. 

Every good teacher sees the person behind the student. ~ Suzanne Dailey 

Don’t miss what Suzanne says about a leader’s ability to discern how each person is motivated. We were thrilled to hear her mention energy as something we need to manage. 

Suzanne talks about her work in the 4th largest school district in Pennsylvania and a document that the superintendent uses to celebrate staff. This is practical and can be used by anyone. 

She describes the book as broken into 40 small parts to be able to read a quick 2-3 pages per day and set goals. What are your weekly wins? Based on your reading, what will be your next right thing–2 degree shift in your thoughts, language, or actions? 

Teach Happier This School Year is now an ASCD bestseller. 

If you want to take care of the students, take care of the teachers. ~ Suzanne Dailey 

Because Suzanne mentions so many books and research, Joe asks about how she digests books to become practical in her life. Listen to her strategies. 

Suzanne calls for more books about people who work in spaces that care for others. She calls them “caregiving professions.” We can learn so much from people in these callings, and she says that the only way forward is to learn from them. 

Joe catches a nuance that Suzanne is an instructional coach, but she also works at the cabinet level in her district. 

Suzanne ends with her favorite impact, which is working with new teachers.