I thought I'd share some exciting news with you.  I've begun a new series of books exploring tough topics in education and suggesting real, practical ways for solving them. The series is entitled "Education Reform and Other Myths" and the first book in the series "Examining the Stumbling Blocks in our System and What to Do About Them" is available TODAY on Amazon Kindle. 

Through Amazon Kindle, you also have the opportunity to participate in their lending library -- I'm really excited about that part, although it's only going to be available for the first 90 days of the book's Kindle publication.

To check it out for yourself, visit http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0071NAX2O

I'm eager to see what you think of it. For the first 25 people who read this book and write a review of it, I'll give you a copy of the next book in the series "Breaking the Bully Culture" for FREE.  Drop me an email when your review is posted and I'll put you on the list to get your complimentary copy of "Breaking the Bully Cycle!"

Many of us know the epic words of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s famous "I have a dream..." speech.  It's probably the most famous of the many he made on the topic of civil rights and equality, and it's the one most frequently shown on media clips.  Most people know the "I have a dream..." part of the speech, but how many really know what comes after the popular soundbyte?  I think, today, on the day we remember him, it's appropriate that we stop and consider the message he shared.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.

Hopefully, we have made progress in judging based on color of skin -- although one could certainly argue that we are often as polarized by race today as we were nearly 50 years ago (but that's a topic best left for another day).

But, let's analyze the second part. If we are to be judged by the "content of [our] character," what does that mean for us today?  I think it's interesting to consider what Dr. King would see, were he alive today. What has happened to our individual -- not to mention, collective -- character? Continue Reading »

I guess I have succumbed to the popular tendency to look back at the year just past and create a "top 10" list.  I did this in 2011, when I did a review of my top 10 after I reached 100 posts. It turned out to be popular, so maybe I'll make it a regular thing.

What's interesting to me is that the "Top 10" of my posts turned out differently from what I expected.  I was SURE that the piece "To End Bullying Requires a Cultural Change" would be in the #1 position. But, it appeared third on the list and not even CLOSE in readership to posts #1 and #2.

Without further ado, here's the list of Top 10 -- for those of you who are regular followers, I'd love to hear what you think about this list and are there any that surprise you...or would you recommend any that should have made the list?

1. Leadership and the Iceberg
2. “Change” requires DOING something different
3. To end bullying requires a cultural change
4. Got the back to school blues
5. Rotary 4-Way Test: Don’t just recite it — live it
6. Bullying in the movies
7. What if schools were run like a business?
8. “Congress Must Pass Law to Prevent Teenage Bullying in School” – Say WHAT??
9. Academics + Social Skills = Better Results
10. How would YOU like to be remembered?

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Corinne Gregory is an author, speaker, and frequent media resource on all things related to social skills, civility, positive character and how that relates to education and business. Invite her as a speaker or coach to your event or for your organization and see how "SocialSmarts" leads to better success.