Welcome to the Duck Pond Blog!
Your go-to source for all things education, trauma-informed, leadership, and beyond!
Our experts share some of their favorite tools, strategies, resources, and suggestions.
Tell Me Something Good- Haysville Learning Cafe
This is why we do this. Because behind every phone call is a student with a story, a dream hanging in the balance. And when the right people say yes, that dream turns into a diploma—and a doorway to everything that comes next.
Top 10 Reasons for Your School to Join Our Crisis Team Consortium
If there’s one universal truth about working in schools, it’s this: stuff happens. Sometimes it’s the “Oh no, we need more paper towels in the cafeteria” kind of stuff. And sometimes… it’s bigger. The ESSDACK Crisis Team Consortium exists for those bigger moments; the ones that need preparation, support, and a community of experts who don’t flinch when things get messy.
We’re here to help you prevent crisis where you can, respond skillfully when you can’t, and recover with strength afterward. And yes, there will be snacks.
Between the Garden and the Treehouse: A Leadership Perspective
School and district leaders often find themselves caught in the whirlwind of the day-to-day—navigating meetings, addressing urgent issues, supporting staff, and keeping everything moving forward. While this constant motion may feel productive, it can cloud long-term vision and strategic clarity.
A Wellbeing Formula - Men’s Mental Health Month Edition
There’s a common thread among some of the most grounded and impactful men I’ve read about lately: they all emphasize the importance of letting things out.
Norman Vincent Peale called it mind emptying.
Jamie Winship calls it truth-telling.
Jesus called it confession.
Whatever name you give it, the action is the same: let it out.
Speak it. Write it. Name it.
The weight you carry—especially if it's shame—is likely what’s holding you back. And here’s the paradox: the bigger the shame, the more power it has in the dark. But once it’s brought into the light, that same energy becomes fuel. For love. For creativity. For presence.
Summer Learning Fun for K–5 Families!
Teachers, send a link to this post to families who might enjoy a little low-cost, high-fun family learning as the summer weeks stretch out before us.
School's out, but the learning doesn't have to stop! Here are 50 fun, easy, and low-cost summer activities that spark curiosity, creativity, and connection for kids in grades K–5.
Could the Same Leadership Tools That Build Teams Strengthen Your Marriage?
True teamwork isn’t about being perfect together––it’s about understanding how each person’s joys and frustrations complement the other. If we can bring that kind of understanding into both our work and personal lives, we’ll build a foundation that’s not only effective but lasting.