Olivia Wahl Coaching & Consulting September Newsletter

Learning Together

We dropped our oldest son off at college a week ago. For the two weeks leading up to it, like a teacher wrapping up a year with her students, I tried hard to distract myself from the overwhelming mix of sadness and excitement with my endless to-do lists, packing, and trying to capture final moments.

When move-in day came, I felt like it was the day Ben was born all over again. It was a mix of being in complete awe of him and the pending fear of the incredible responsibility of becoming his mom. Yet, this time, I wasn't becoming his caregiver; I was shifting from that role to a trusted mentor.

I am beginning September by believing that Ben has been ready for this new season for a very long time. I know he will flourish and grow, becoming an even more spectacular person than he already is, because he will use all his past experiences to overcome challenges he faces and continue to thrive.

And that is what I love most about being an educator. Each new school year is a fresh start––an opportunity to offer our students autonomy over their learning experiences, ensuring they know we believe in them and are there to support them in whatever ways they need.

Here’s to a school year ahead of learning and growth because when we, as coaches, teachers, administrators, and families, work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.

LET’S WORK TOGETHER

What I’m Reading Now

Visible Learning for Teachers

by John Hattie

Visible Learning for Teachers translates John Hattie's research into practical strategies that maximize the impact of student learning in the classroom. The book helps educators focus on evidence-based teaching methods that are truly effective and shows how to measure their impact. Everyone involved in education should read this guide to understand which instructional practices have the most significant impact on student achievement.

Making Words Stick

by Molly Ness & Dr. Katie Pace Miles

Making Words Stick offers a proven four-step method for teaching word recognition and spelling through letter-sound patterns. Research-based strategies improve reading fluency for all students, especially striving readers. Read this book to transform your understanding of literacy instruction and build confident readers and writers.

Upcoming Schoolutions Episodes

I'm humbled to announce that my Schoolutions Teaching Strategies podcast has surpassed 500 subscribers on YouTube. This represents far more than numbers—it signifies a unified commitment to educational excellence and student success. Haven't subscribed yet? I'd be honored to have you join our community.

Schoolutions’ Season 5 launches on Monday, September 1st! Each week, I’ll share full guest interviews on Mondays, highlight reels on Wednesdays, and bonus reflections on Fridays. You can listen and follow on Apple and Spotify, or watch on YouTube. Find out more about this month’s guests below.

09/01 Expert Teachers: It's how they think with John Hattie

Educational researcher John Hattie discovered that the best teachers aren't the most experienced—they're the most curious. These "nosy" educators are obsessed with understanding how their students actually think and learn, not just delivering content. The shocking part? Hattie's research reveals that 80% of what's happening in your classroom may be invisible to you right now.

Discover what you've been missing and why curiosity beats credentials every time.

09/08 Childhood Cancer: Community healing through connection with Brett Fox & Suzanne Stone

Brett Fox and Suzanne Stone discovered a shocking gap: not enough age-appropriate books existed to help young children understand childhood cancer. With 1 in 285 kids facing this diagnosis, teachers and parents were left without crucial tools. Their solution? My Brave Friend—a groundbreaking collaboration between HopeCam and LiveStrong that's finally giving communities what they desperately need before crisis strikes.

Learn how this essential resource is changing conversations in classrooms nationwide.

09/15 Teacher Centers: Evidence-driven professional learning works with Sandy Halpin

Retiring Teacher Center Director Sandy Halpin discovered something eye-opening: most student teachers miss the crucial first and last days of school—just one piece of the teacher preparation puzzle that needs repair. Her brilliant solution? A game-changing approach that asks teachers to bring back actual evidence of student impact from every professional learning session. The results are transforming how educators grow and thrive.

Discover the biggest myth about teacher training and the simple shift that's making all the difference.

09/22 Orthographic Mapping: Making words stick through science with Molly Ness

Dr. Molly Ness drops a bombshell: 99% of the famous Dolch sight word list is actually decodable, not memorizable. Yet we're still drilling kids with flashcards while their brains naturally store 50,000+ words without them. Along with her co-author, Katie Pace Miles, she has developed a four-step process that aligns with how the brain actually learns to read—and it's transforming literacy instruction by eliminating methods that counteract natural learning.

Discover why everything you thought you knew about sight words may be wrong.

09/29 Microschools: Disrupting education with entrepreneurial spirit with David K. Richards

David K. Richards left his lucrative banking career—not once, but twice—to pursue a bigger dream: transforming how children learn. His revolutionary microschool model flips education on its head with intimate communities of just 10-15 students per teacher, empowering educators and families while proving personalized learning that can actually work at scale.

Discover how one man's career pivot is redefining what school can be.

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