Zat Astha’s Post

Need a tech partner for Nationwide Green Actioneers program Your tech company might like to oversee the tech side of our positive project, to get families in the US and elsewhere to "go green" without reference to the potential downside of "carbon catastrophe." Here is how the program works. Families come to "Green Actioneers Family Night," which is like Scholastic Books Book Fair but with only one book. Every family gets a print book handed to them as they come into the space. They go through the book choosing from among the 100 explained actions. Kids raise their hands and one by one they declare an action they'll take. The other kids all jump up and shout "We can do that too." Even some of the grownups jump up.  Then the person on stage (who we call "Professor Green") get parents to volunteer to be on the "Green Team" for the school. The Green Team creates a chart in the hallway where families put up a PostIt note every time they take a green action. That chart is like a scout merit badge sash, a motivator to get families to act. Even if only a small percentage of the school attends it'll become the talk of the school and eventually everyone will join the "game." For a $20 contribution families can get the print book, but we give a digital link to every family in the school who wants to participate, so everyone can join in the fun. This is a "culture change program," not a "book sales program." What we need next is a digital equivalent of the chart on the wall. Then homeschool families can join and everyone can see what their neighbors have been up to by checking the graphic online or on the wall in the school.  Also we need an online meeting place where families can show others their accomplishments and see what everyone is doing. Yes, we will be using a huge number of PostIt notes, but if we do this right one pack of 100 PosIt notes will give a family a zero-carbon footprint. An online version will certainly use some energy to keep it up to date. Here is your link to the digital book. https://lnkd.in/eMw5C8Pb. There's room in the book for QR codes of companies who agree to give schools a rebate for purchases. There is a graphic on page 15 in the book showing the chart on the wall. We need help with our website, promotion, and recruiting "green-hearted" adults to become “Professor Green.” To that end I have a database on Constant Contact of over 500 "green-hearted moms" who I met when I presented this idea as a speaker and exhibitor at over a dozen trade shows like the CA, TX, FL PTA conventions and the national Montessori Schools and National School librarians conventions. Now that we have that database it is time to put everyone in a funnel and launch. I'm also going to the National Publicity Summit once we're ready to launch. If you are interested in helping with this idea please let me know. davefinnigan@greenactioneers.com

FutureDoc have been working with Unfound Studio on a rebrand (watch this space for how it turns out). While catching up at the start of our last meeting, Tebo Mpanza started chatting about independent education branding and asking about my time in the sector. I'd love to see what Tebo and Unfound Studio could do for a school looking to try something different from the standard stuff. Quick headlines form the chat: - Most have chosen boring and bland - So many schools just list features with no brand - Someone should step up and be the 'Monzo' or the education space - If you want go global and expand your brand should mean something   Have a look this article for some further thoughts from Tebo. #independentschools #schoolmarketing #brandingstrategy   https://lnkd.in/e2Fu-Pct

As always, Knowbility's John Slatin (pronounced Slay-tin as I flubbed that in my keynote. Thanks to Peter Slatin for being understanding.) AccessU was a whirlwind! There were many highlights. One of them was meeting Homer Gaines, CPACC Gaines in person! And we chatted a lot. Thanks for that, Homer. I also caught his keynote right before going to the airport. (Would you believe I ran into GAAD co-founder Jennison Asuncion right when I walked in? He was on his way to Atlanta for GAAD. It was nice to get one-on-one time with him!) Anyway, the keynote was powerful. One tidbit caused my jaw to drop literally and figuratively. Homer shared the following tweet started by Jimmie Jephson as the image shows. Most developers ignore accessibility, why is that? Why do you ignore it? Be honest. It had 74K views, 214 comments, 37 reposts, 338 likes, and 27 shares as of the screenshot. Here are two of the responses Homer shared that stunned me. "Of course depends on what you working on and who's your user. But in my case too much effort for a very little gain. If any at all." "It's simply not up to the dev to set accessibility requirements. It's only our job to make sure the requirements set are in place." So, in honor of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) ... week ... I'd like to tweak the question and extend the conversation here. Most leaders and companies ignore accessibility. Why is that? Why do you ignore it? Be honest. Thank you for sharing. It'll help us allies. ✉️ Want help getting started with accessibility? Contact me. 👉 #MerylMots for past posts 🔔 Tap the silent profile bell to catch the next post #Accessibility #GAAD

It's Saturday, and as usual, the Vin-Man and I are at our beach house. It's the start of a new month, and as busy as January felt, February is going to give crazy-pants a new meaning. I have the R+T 2024 in Stuttgart, Germany February 19th-23rd, and right on the heels of that I'm heading to Vegas for KBIS - will I see you at either event? Last month, we announced the dates and locations for the Power Talk Friday Tour - stay tuned for tickets to the first one in Dallas in April! - and we officially kicked off 5-week courses for LuAnn University! Are you feeling a little FOMO, because you were thinking about taking a class, but didn't get registered in time? Well, I have good news for you today - there is still time to register for our 3-hour intensives, which kick off March 4th. When you sat down to do your year-end autopsy and set your goals for 2024, you probably identified some gaps that you would need to overcome. Time, cash flow, tech roadblock - I know these can be frustrating, but a lot of times it comes down to a knowledge gap. Check out the new blog on the website for insight on overcoming these gaps, and tell me - where are you at with working towards your goals, and what piece of the puzzle are you missing? And, how are you going to overcome the challenge? https://loom.ly/K57ekgU #interiordesigneducation #luannnigara #luannuniversity #designbiz #skillsgap #businesseducation #interiordesigners

Here are a few more examples from September of those who are choosing Finalsite to showcase their districts/schools, manage communications, and strengthen their online presence. Take a look at the newest Finalsite website launches below! #schools #communications #Finalsite #websites https://lnkd.in/gevYDEC4

I think entrepreneurship is contagious. Hear me out. When you're around changemakers that are constantly looking to help solve some of the world's biggest problems, you often think, THERE'S a solution to this and if there isn't - WHY aren't we building one?! The beginning of the summer my kids were brainstorming 'ways to make money'. Is it chores around the house, a lemonade stand, or a garage sale (mind you my kids are 9, 7 + 3) so they're not about to pick up a part time job somewhere. I've constantly presented them with different tools to 'build their own business' ideas in the past such as ones presented by Shopify for kids. I suggested to build a kids journal for the summer, where they can design and sell-on-demand via Amazon. Of course, my aspiring artist-to-be daughter jumped on the idea to co-design a KIDS journal (by kids for kids) on Canva and publish it on Amazon. And over the course of the weekend we built it together with her feedback and insight and it was so nice to show her that you can CREATE something and see it come to life. After we published her 90-day creative journal, and she finally received her own 'author's copy' it was so exciting to see her show it off to guests, friends and teachers at summer camp to show them WHAT SHE DID... and (of course, tell them to go buy it on Amazon!). As a mom-preneur - I find myself excited in how a spark of an idea can become a real product or service that serves the community, helps people and provides value. Check out my daugther's Super-Kid Journal here: https://lnkd.in/gHP-ufaY #amazonkdp #kidspreneur #entrepreneurship

Today's Positive Thought - Potential of Our Youth The Ask: What are the long-term benefits of emphasizing creative and innovative thinking in our young people today? This Is The Thing: As spring deepens into May, the world bursts forth in a spectacle of blooming life and fresh beginnings. It's a month that naturally inspires a sense of renewal and hope, and fittingly, it showers us with opportunities to celebrate and nurture the creativity and potential of our youth. May showers us with chances to celebrate our youth's creativity and potential — meaning that the essence of this vibrant month, urging us to turn our attention to the young minds whose innovative spirits can lead us toward brighter futures. #MayCelebratesYouth Creativity is not merely an artistic trait but a fundamental skill that drives problem solving and innovation. In recognizing and promoting this skill, we help our youth not only to imagine new possibilities but also to develop the resilience and adaptability needed in a rapidly changing world. May's fresh canvas is ideal for showcasing these skills, providing platforms such as school fairs, community art shows, or science days where young creativity is celebrated and nurtured. #CreativeYouth The potential of our youth flourishes most significantly when supported by a community that values growth and creativity. Schools, families, and community centers can join forces in May to create events and initiatives that highlight and celebrate this potential. From poetry readings in the park to community mural projects or tech boot camps, the opportunities to ignite the creative spark within our young people are boundless. #YouthPotential Have a great day! Don't forget to smile and stay positive! Artwork: Girl Painting In a Book, By CSA IMAGES Give Back - https://bit.ly/3SdATKa Via Email - https://lnkd.in/g8EpG7eg Our Facebook Group - https://lnkd.in/gx_VWJ_h

Come by to say hi and join our workshop! Learn more about Procession below 👇🏽👇🏽

📚✨ First Implementation Phase of SPAQUE Initiative! ✨📚 In the age of technological advancements, the clinging residue of chalk dust on blackboards should be a thing of the past. However, the harsh reality is that underfunding and neglect continue to tether many public schools to outdated teaching tools. At SPAQUE Initiative, we believe in setting the stage for effective literacy education by transforming the atmosphere of our classrooms. We're thrilled to announce our inaugural project phase: "Installation of White Boards" 🌟The vision is clear – to replace outdated blackboards with modern whiteboards that breathe life into our learning spaces. We recognize that an inviting environment is key to kindling the flames of curiosity and learning in the hearts of our children. But, dear friends, we can't do this alone. 🤝We invite every passionate individual and forward-thinking organization to unite with us in this transformative endeavor. Let's collectively usher in a new era of education, where classrooms are vibrant, engaging, and conducive for effective learning. Your support will not just install whiteboards; it will be a catalyst for change, sparking a renewed desire for learning in the hearts of countless children. 🌈 How You Can Help: ➡ Contribute towards the installation of whiteboards and be a direct force in shaping the future of education. ➡ Share our mission with your network. The more people know, the stronger the impact. ➡ If your organization shares our passion for systemic change, let's join forces for greater impact. Together, let's turn the page on outdated teaching tools and script a brighter future for the children in our communities. 📢 Tag a friend, share the vision, and let's make classrooms places of inspiration! Ifeoluwa Fajemirokun Sophie Onwubuariri Initonye Alvin NATH-TUWEI Victoria Ikeh Oluwatola Akinmola Balogun Oluwakemi Elizabeth VADOO Tyodzua Agnes Onyekwere Iyanda Ahmed Ogechi Anoka Mary Jane Bruce #BTCProject #SPAQUEInitiative #sparkpotential #advancequalityeducation #tfnimpactstories #teachfornigeria #teachforall

Happy Sunday everyone! 🎉 Are you looking to get started on social media but not sure where to begin? 🤔 Check out this example social media calendar for a preschool business! 📅 These posts can be tweaked to work for any business. Week 1 includes a welcome message, fun fact, testimonial, and classroom activity. Week 2 features a video tour, teacher spotlight, parent tip, and blog post. Week 3 showcases recent art projects, video testimonial, special event highlight, and educational activity for parents. Week 4 includes a success story, Q&A session, professional development photo, and thank you message. Don't forget to mix in enrollment openings, upcoming events, and important dates. And always respond to comments and questions! Pro tip: use a template of your branding colors for a uniform and recognizable feed. Stay tuned my Wealthmasters Madtermind group! A special guest will be joining us LIVE in FLL to help with consistent branding as you scale. 💪