Olivia Wahl Coaching & Consulting

11/09/2026

A Mindful Monday question for teachers and one for coaches.

Teachers, why let curiosity lead? Because students who chase their own questions hold on to what they learn. Kids chasing your answer forget it after the test.

Coaches, why look for great learning in one room? Because teachers trust what they see work with their own students far more than anything from a slide deck. The proof is already in your building.

I partner with teachers and coaches to make curiosity the plan and spread what's working. Send me a message and let's talk about your school. https://www.oliviawahl.com/coaching-consulting

11/06/2026

Quick question for teachers: how many times did you write "Good job!" on student work this week?

No judgment. It's fast and kind, and students like seeing it.

The research says it barely helps them improve, though. Hattie and Timperley (2007) found that praise aimed at the person does the least to move learning forward of any type of feedback.

It tells students they did well without telling them why, or what to do next.

Try this instead. Name one thing they did and give them one next step. "You used a quote to support your idea. Now explain how it proves your point."

Swap just one comment this week and watch what students do with it.

If you want help making this stick across your grade level or your whole school, send me a message.

I partner with teachers and school teams on feedback that students can actually use, and I'd love to hear what you're working on. https://www.oliviawahl.com/coaching-consulting

Schoolutions

11/05/2026

Starting school isn't one day. For many children it takes most of the first year, and for some it takes longer.

This week's carousel draws on Sue Dockett and Bob Perry's research on transition to school.

A few ideas you can try right away: treat the early months of 1st and 2nd grade as transition time, invite families and grandparents in and ask what they know about their child, and protect time for play every single day.

My question for you: Where does transition end in your classroom, and who decides?

If you'd like support making this real in your classroom or school, message me. I'd love to talk. Reach out here: oliviawahl.com/coaching-consulting


Schoolutions

11/04/2026

11/03/2026

A student who slept four hours can't focus on your warm-up. Neither can the one still upset about the bus ride.

The Quil Ceda Tulalip Learning Community starts every day by checking in on the whole person. Four quadrants, four questions:

💛 Spiritual. Do I feel seen here?
💙 Emotional. How am I feeling? Do I need to regulate?
🧠 Mental. What's my mindset as a learner today?
💪 Physical. Did I sleep? Did I eat? How stressed am I?

You learn who's ready before you start teaching. You also learn who needs a snack, a minute, or a quiet word first.

Middle and high school teachers: Run this at the top of each period instead of a bell ringer.

What would your students say if you asked tomorrow?

11/03/2026

Tying their shoes for them takes five seconds. Teaching them to do it takes weeks. Every caregiver knows which one actually helps.

Dr. Melissa Cullen and Kristin Trandem Page apply the same thinking in their first and second grade classroom at Quil Ceda Tulalip Elementary.

Kids learn to notice when they're tired, hungry, or upset, and then choose what to do about it. The teachers guide. They don't rescue.

Their students even bring this home. At conferences, kids tell their families things like "I need more sleep."

🎙️Listen wherever you get your podcasts or watch on YouTube.

🔗 Here’s a link for part one: https://youtu.be/McEIRJsTBA4 & our conversation continues with part two on Friday!

Olivia Wahl Coaching & Consulting

Chelsea Craig ❤️‍🔥

11/02/2026

What's the one problem in your classroom or school you keep turning over on the drive home?

Bring it to a small group this winter. From January through June, I'm meeting monthly with PreK-12 educators from across the country and around the world.

Each group forms around a shared spark, like a student you can't reach, a practice you want to add, or a routine that takes too long. We meet for one hour each month and work through it together.

Everyone also brings one strength to share, so you'll leave with ideas from teachers, coaches, and leaders.

Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScrdUDbevpwWZNBbTLiZ-SGLhmIYs8GYwpw_VH6yvo-TTfSkw/viewform?usp=publish-editor

Read this month’s newsletter:
https://www.oliviawahl.com/campaigns/view-campaign/W35iMFW18a6CZCxeueGdtg5mbAnMhiVBJtC53XKUFz-ZZuk2VdQi0QUcaVklVcifVDJXXCypZmeAb8JRYcXDTEDD9eUd0t6d

Book update: Forever Getting Better: 5 Essential Practices for Reclaiming Teacher Expertise is now in production. The cover is chosen, and I'll share the release date soon.

11/02/2026

Think about the last routine you set up in your classroom. Where did it come from? A college methods class? A teacher you student-taught with? Something you saw on Instagram?

Now picture the student it isn't working for. Somebody at home probably knows why. An auntie, a grandpa, an older sibling who walks them to school.

Those answers rarely show up in a curriculum guide, and most of the time, nobody asks.

Coaches, the same goes for you. Saying "I don't know, let's find out together" builds more trust with a teacher than another strategy handout.

Ready to take this back to your classroom or school? I partner with teachers and coaches to build routines with the families and communities they serve, starting with the people already in the building. Let's think it through together: https://www.oliviawahl.com/coaching-consulting

Olivia Wahl Coaching & Consulting Schoolutions

11/02/2026

How a Longhouse Floor Can Change the Way Kids Learn to Belong

“It's a great day to be on the Tulalip reservation. We love you."

Every student at Quil Ceda Tulalip Elementary hears those words before walking to class.

Teachers Kristin Trandem Page and Dr. Melissa Cullen keep that message going all day long.

One morning Melissa forgot her glasses and Kristin forgot her hearing aid.

They told the kids exactly what happened and asked for a little grace. The kids gave it.

Hear how on part one of Schoolutions now.

🎧 listen to part one:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1890886/episodes/20051445
📺 watch part one:
https://youtu.be/McEIRJsTBA4

On Friday, Kristin and Melissa show how their first graders become cultural guardians who protect salmon, drumming, and long hair for seven generations.

Come learn with us by joining the Schoolutions community.🔗 Link to subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/

Olivia Wahl Coaching & Consulting

Chelsea Craig ❤️

11/01/2026