Becoming the BISON

For the teachers who stay late and care too much This is a book about the future of education-about you. It was written to help you feel empowered to lead with intention, even when the system doesn‘t make it easy. It will guide you in learning how to build a community around you that doesn‘t flinch when things get hard. Because you‘re an educator, and educators are like BISON: They‘re brave. Bold. Fearless. They act with intention, and that action gets the attention of those around them. And guess what? A few becomes a many. A herd. A powerful community. That‘s what being the BISON is all about: being intentional so others notice. We get to choose the way we move through our days, the way we lead in our classrooms, the way we respond to the people around us. And people feel our intentions. They notice how we lead, how we listen, how we show up, not just for our students but for ourselves. Intentionality is powerful; it helps us let go of the illusion that we have to do it all alone. When we choose to be intentional, we create environments where we and the people around us can grow into the best versions of ourselves and become who we were meant to become. Educators deserve a sustainable culture built on safety, mental health, teacher wellness, executive functioning, family engagement, and community building. Becoming the BISON is here to help you get there. It‘s about choosing courage over comfort, clarity over compliance, and connection over control. It‘s about shedding what no longer serves us so we can step into bold, grounded versions of ourselves and live each day with gratitude and collaboration. Endorsements Kim Gameroz demonstrates an uncanny ability to capture this particular moment in education. -Dr. Danny Steele Do not be mistaken: this book is not about social emotional learning (SEL). This book is SEL. -Mitch Weathers, founder and CEO of Organized Binder, Inc., and author of Executive Functions for Every Classroom This amazing book acknowledges the messy reality of today‘s classrooms while providing the language, tools, and community support that actually work. -Joshua Stamper, author, speaker, and leadership coach