Creativity | Educational Travel | Mentorship | My Thoughts | Posted on May 28, 2025 at 8:34 pm by geneinletford
Yesterday, as Shawn went on his Arizona Science Center field trip for #602 today in Phoenix, I challenged myself to have a “Brain Growth” trip. To ward off dementia, it’s just as important for me to stretch my mind and brain capacity as it is for him to experience new things, so I look at [...]
How My Student Won $2,915,374 in One Month!
Debt Free Living | Financial Literacy | Mentorship | My Thoughts | Posted on November 4, 2019 at 11:19 am by geneinletford
The Hidden Opportunity Cost of Student Loans, Scholarships and Financial Illiteracy In May my student won over $2,915,374 dollars!! Sounds unbelievable right? Well if you look at it the way she has learned to look at scholarships, students debt, investing and opportunity cost, this statement is very true for her. Here’s what happened. This past [...]
Discovering Your Creative Voice Again
Creativity | Mentorship | My Thoughts | Posted on October 14, 2019 at 11:33 am by geneinletford
My baby, Shawn just turned one. He babbles. He screams. He laughs uncontrollably for no apparent reason (I swear he sees angels playing on the walls!). His life coach (aka his nanny) says that he’s discovering his voice. He is coming to the realization that his vocal cords can produce sounds that emit a certain [...]
Tell Our Kids the Truth! Education is NOT the Key. It’s the Frame!
Creativity | Entrepreneurship | Financial Literacy | Mentorship | My Thoughts | Posted on September 14, 2019 at 12:45 pm by geneinletford
As the plant manager of my school walked the campus, I would know he was coming before I saw him. How? His keys. I would hear them from afar and watched how he would go into rooms and spaces that I have never entered. He would have access to places that I did not. All [...]
Is College Still Worth It? Two Critical Skills To Accompany that Degree
Debt Free Living | Financial Literacy | Mentorship | My Thoughts | Posted on July 14, 2019 at 12:34 pm by geneinletford
I just sent my little ones off to college this past month. As I looked around the table at my graduating seniors of my non-profit, Alumni360, these seven young women (who started with me as kindergartners) were about to embark on a journey like no other; the undergraduate experience. While the other mentors shared their [...]
The Power of the Ask: When It Hurts and When It Doesn’t
Blog | Creativity | Mentorship | My Thoughts | Posted on April 16, 2018 at 7:27 am by geneinletford
The knees quiver. The heart quickly beats. The hands palpitate. All of those symptoms can arise when you’re about to ask. Whether it’s approaching that beautiful girl for a first date, petitioning your boss for a raise or, in this case, requesting funds on behalf of thousands of teachers, asking takes courage. It’s exactly this […]
Yes You Have Privilege! Now What?
Mentorship | My Thoughts | Personal Development | Posted on March 25, 2018 at 11:26 pm by geneinletford
“I acknowledge my white privilege,” said Sarah Chadwick, a Florida Parkland student. Sarah and her Parkland peers were meeting with the Peace Warriors, a Chicago based student group that teaches students how to resolve conflicts peacefully. The Peace Warriors have been working on eradicating gun violence in their Chicago community for years but have not [...]I’m Here – The Arts & International Women’s Day
Arts Integration | Mentorship | My Thoughts | Personal Development | Posted on March 8, 2018 at 10:46 am by geneinletford
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, I want to share this experience of how the arts can change your perspective on the way you see yourself and your position in life. As women, we often struggle with seeing ourselves as worthy, as beautiful, as competent and strong. Especially when we are in situations where we […]
The Selfie Vs. The Shelfie
Mentorship | My Thoughts | Posted on July 3, 2017 at 5:40 am by geneinletford
With the advent of the cell phone camera, the selfie has risen to great prominence. But I would challenge you to grace me with a photo revealing another side of you; your bookshelf. We know you look good but instead of showing me what you’re wearing, show me what you’re reading. Share with me your […]
Asset Framing: Presenting Our Students In the Best Light
Creativity | Mentorship | My Thoughts | Personal Development | Posted on December 30, 2016 at 9:50 am by geneinletford
What is asset framing? Good question! Following a Donorschoose board meeting, I sat down with Trabian Shorters, a fellow board member, to discuss what asset framing is and why educators and community members need to be aware of this concept. Continue reading below but also watch the video above for the one on one interview! […]
