Children's books and school talks that give kids the language for kindness, self-confidence, compassion, integrity, and empathy — and a reason to go use it before the day is over.
Practicing virtues and sharing them with others is what shapes how kids treat each other. Every talk takes one virtue, tells the story, and ends with a challenge they can actually go do.
Joe reads the book, then works with students on what the story is really about — noticing someone, doing something small, and the difference that makes to a person who needed it.
Then they practice it. Each student names one person they can show that virtue to before the day ends, and what they're actually going to do about it.
Classroom visit, grade-level read-aloud, or a whole-school assembly. Adjusted for the age in the room.
The series gives children the framework and the language to build strong character as they start navigating everyday life. Each book takes one virtue and puts a kid inside a situation where it's hard.
JJ finds a toad, a friend takes it, and JJ has to decide what to do about it. A story about forgiveness, letting go, and the unexpected friends who make a difference in your life.
Find it on AmazonMackenzie wants to look older than she is. What she learns instead is that who she already is has been enough the whole time.
Find it on AmazonNot a list of strategies nobody remembers by Thursday. One story, one argument, and one thing to change this week.
It opens with a wiffle ball tournament run entirely by kids — no coaches, no umpires, no adults in charge. At least, that was the plan.
What follows is ten things parents can do, each shown at three ages, so a room holding a first grader and a junior both find themselves in the same talk. It ends with a single ask, not a handout of ten.
For staff and leadership teams. What a building learns about itself when something goes badly wrong — and how a team responds when the plan is gone.
For principals and aspiring leaders. Academics, Relationships, Environment — the framework behind the guidebook, built from years in the office.
For students and school assemblies. The read-aloud, the virtue behind it, and a challenge they leave with.
Twenty-two years in schools. Four kids taught me the rest.
I started as a teacher and a football coach. Then dean of students, assistant principal, and seven years leading a middle school as principal. Today I'm an assistant superintendent running operations for a full district — buildings, transportation, technology, and the people who keep all of it working.
Along the way I earned a doctorate in educational leadership, wrote a guidebook for principals, and started The T.O.A.D. Series with my family. But the thing that shows up in every talk is the same: I'm a dad of four who gets this wrong regularly, and I've watched thousands of kids figure out who they are when the adults around them made room for it.
Tell me who's in the room and how long you've got. I'll tell you honestly whether I'm the right fit.
PTOs, parent networks, curriculum nights, community education series.
Institute days, opening convocations, principal cohorts, administrator retreats.
Read-alouds, classroom visits, and school assemblies.
I'll get back to you within two business days, usually sooner.
If your date is close, email jsweeney22@jms-live.com and put the date in the subject line.