The work I do is shaped not only by research and professional experience, but also by the books, music, thinkers, and reflective practices that continue influencing how I approach learning, leadership, innovation, and human-centered systems.

This page is a small collection of some of the readings, listening, and ideas that have stayed with me over time and continue shaping how I learn, lead, create, and support others.

Recommended Listening

Music is part of how I think, reflect, focus, write, and reconnect with what matters. These selections represent different parts of me: intellectual focus, faith, creativity, nostalgia, calm, and the belief that love and human connection remain central to meaningful work.

Beethoven

Classical music has been part of my thinking life since high school. Even when my 5 CD changer was full of 90s music, one slot was always reserved for Beethoven. His music still represents focus, discipline, emotion, and timeless creative brilliance.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-fFHeTX70Q

Yo-Yo Ma

The cello is one of my favorite instruments, and I deeply appreciate the emotional depth, discipline, and artistry of Yo-Yo Ma’s work. His music feels reflective, grounding, and deeply human, and I am always inspired by people who demonstrate extraordinary mastery within their craft. You HAVE to listen to Cello Suite No. 1 ....

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPmhY6oG9R8

Vitamin String Quartet

Classical-inspired instrumental interpretations that create a calm, reflective atmosphere for thinking, writing, learning, and creative work. I especially enjoy hearing familiar songs reimagined in a style that feels elegant, thoughtful, and deeply grounding.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OHHMXJVvi0&list=RDEMjvUCxM_INbuyZjtPNAIJNA&start_radio=1

Focus, Alpha Waves, and Brain-Based Listening

I believe one of my greatest assets is my mind, and I am intentional about protecting, stretching, and strengthening it. Focus-based listening helps me study, write, think deeply, and access the kind of mental clarity that supports learning, creativity, and problem-solving.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cq0XV5j4BFY

I Believe (Love Is the Answer) — Blessid Union of Souls

This is one of my favorite songs because it reflects a cornerstone of what I believe: caring about people, communication, progress, understanding, and one another matters. Love, expressed through action and connection, really is part of the answer.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR6MiQmggXA&list=RDiR6MiQmggXA&start_radio=1

Blessed Be Your Name

This song has been meaningful to me for a long time. It reflects my belief that God guides me, goes before me, and provides the gifts I have so that I can use them to bless and support others.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=du0il6d-DAk&list=RDdu0il6d-DAk&start_radio=1

Laid-Back Listening / 90s Nostalgia

Some playlists simply help me relax, breathe, and reconnect with the music of my generation. This one reflects a more laid-back part of my listening life and the variety of music that has shaped different seasons of who I am.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTlhEZ0ILIE

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Influential Voices & Learning Experiences

Throughout my professional journey, certain voices, learning experiences, and leadership frameworks have profoundly shaped the way I think about education, human development, leadership, and wellness. These experiences continue to influence my work as a leader, coach, researcher, and systems-minded professional committed to supporting teams, organizations, adults, and the children who benefit from ongoing adult learning.

Naomi Tutu & The Power of Calling

There are moments when you hear someone speak about calling, purpose, and the quiet tug toward the work they were created to do… and something inside you recognizes it.

Listening to Naomi Tutu speak was one of those moments for me.

I’ve always felt deeply called to make an impact on humanity through education — through leadership, research, writing, and the way we care for both children and the adults who guide them. I care deeply about creating spaces that feel more human-centered, compassionate, uplifting, and whole.

Influence is not about power. It’s about stewardship. About how we leave people feeling after they’ve crossed our path.

I don’t think I’ve fully arrived at the path I’m ultimately being prepared for yet… but I do believe every season has been preparing me for the work I’m still walking toward.

To learn more about Naomi Tutu’s activism, ministry, and speaking work, visit: https://www.naomitutu.com/

Elizabeth Groginsky & Leadership That Serves People

Under Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s administration, New Mexico has made historic investments in early childhood education and care, including expanded support for programs, educators, directors, children, and families.

As Cabinet Secretary for Early Childhood Education and Care, Elizabeth Groginsky’s leadership has been connected to a remarkable season of progress in the field — including increased early childhood funding, expanded professional support, universal free full-day PreK for four-year-olds, and New Mexico’s first-in-the-nation movement toward no-cost universal child care.

I have loved being part of leadership work that supports this progress: strengthening systems, advocating for educators, and helping move early childhood education in directions that better serve children, families, and the adults who care for them.

Learn More About Secretary Groginsky & ECECD

Dr. Lucy Hart Paulson & The Science of Reading

From my earliest years teaching reading, I knew literacy was about more than simply reading books. Through LETRS and LETRS-EC facilitator learning experiences with Dr. Lucy Hart Paulson, my understanding of the science of reading, literacy development, and the reading brain deepened tremendously.

For me, this work is about more than foundational reading instruction. It is about creating a more equitable foundation of opportunity by helping educators understand and apply the foundations of LETRS and LETRS-EC through meaningful professional learning and ongoing adult support.

Developing readers may be “rocket science,” but there is a formula we can learn, practice, and implement — one that opens doors of possibility for children as they move toward their own futures.

To learn more about Dr. Lucy Hart Paulson’s work in literacy, language development, and the science of reading — or to watch her presentation on science-based literacy instruction — visit:

Dr. Lucy Hart Paulson on edWeb

Relationships, Regulation & Human Development

Social-emotional development is foundational to human flourishing, executive functioning, healthy relationships, and meaningful contribution to society. Across my work as an educator, coach, researcher, and leader, I have focused on helping people feel seen, supported, empowered, and capable of growth.

My doctoral research examined educator emotional wellness and the ways systems, leadership, and workplace conditions influence the wellbeing of adults in education. That work strengthened my commitment to human-centered leadership that nurtures the whole person — recognizing that people thrive when they experience belonging, purpose, balance, emotional safety, and authentic connection.

I believe healthy organizations are built by healthy humans. When people are emotionally supported and grounded , they are better equipped to lead, collaborate, innovate, regulate, problem solve, and contribute positively to their own quality of life, their communities, their workplaces, and the lives of others.

Learn More About Unpacking the Pyramid Model

Learn More About Dr. Lise Fox

Learn More About Dr. Mary Louise Hemmeter

Tucker Turtle, Reflection & Human-Centered Leadership

One of the social-emotional learning resources that has stayed with me most throughout my work is Tucker Turtle and the simple but powerful process of stopping, regulating, reflecting, and returning with a solution-oriented mindset.

While designed for young children, the deeper message behind the practice extends far beyond the early childhood classroom. The ability to pause, regulate emotions, reflect thoughtfully, and re-engage with clarity is foundational to healthy relationships, effective leadership, emotional wellness, and meaningful collaboration.

This framework has shaped not only my work with children and educators, but also the way I approach leadership and difficult conversations. It reminds me not to respond impulsively or take challenges personally, but instead to seek understanding, reflect on underlying needs, and move toward conversations with empathy, honesty, and solution-focused thinking.

For me, social-emotional development is not simply a classroom initiative. It is a lifelong human skill set that strengthens executive functioning, communication, resilience, self-awareness, and our ability to contribute positively to the people and communities around us.

Learn More About Tucker Turtle & Discovery Source Resources

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