Hey there.
Well, it’s the 23rd Monday of January.
At least that is the way that 2026 has felt.
Like a month of Mondays.
Can I still say Happy New Year without it feeling weird?
The thing about “new” years is that they are not really “new”. I mean sure you get a new calendar if that is your thing. (In case you were wondering, this is mine for this year.)
Instead, new years are really a continuation of the old year but with the promise that things are going to be different. They are an opportunity to hit the reset button. To start fresh.
But here’s the thing. You can do that on any day. So instead of hitting the SNOOZE button on this email yet again. I am sitting down and doing the work.
Because I MISS you, and I would love ❤️ to know how you’re doing and what you’re up to in 2026.
Here’s some of what has been happening INSIDE BRIAN’S BRAIN.
I started taking an improv class! I have never done this before even though I regularly use improv routines in presentations and workshops. I felt that if I was going to continue talking about improv, that I needed hone my skills.
It has been a blast and way harder than I ever thought it would be. I love it because I am absolutely terrible at it.
The biggest thing that I am learning is how to reduce my overthinking.
Improv is not about MAYBE or IT MIGHT BE. Improv is about committing to IT IS and going with whatever that is. You don't have to be right. You just have to be committed.
Stay tuned for many new ideas designed to make you and your learners uncomfortable but in a safe space at a workshop near you!
Speaking of workshops near you…. The Spring 2026 calendar has me working with two different districts here in North Carolina. Plus, I am traveling back to Texas to work with Round Rock ISD and to two separate locations in Colorado to work with gifted learners. And there’s giftred conferences in North Carolina and a keynote in New Jersey
Here’s the list of IN PERSON events…
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January 27, 2026 - Duplin County Schools in Kenansville, NC
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February 6, 2026 - UNCW AIG South East Alliance Conference in Wilmington, NC 🔑🎵
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February 17, 2026 - Round Rock ISD in Round Rock, Texas
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February 25, 2026 - Duplin County Schools in Kenansville, NC
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March 3, 2026 - The Gifted Experience in Limon, Colorado
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March 4, 2026 - The Gifted Experience in Sterling, Colorado
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March 12-13, 2026 - North Carolina Association for Gifted and Talented Conference in Concord, NC
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March 16, 2026 - Onslow County Schools in Jacksonville, NC
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April 17, 2026 - New Jersey Association for Gifted for Gifted Children in Somerset, NJ 🔑🎵
If you can’t make it to one of these events, I also have some virtual things happening.
Andi McNair and I are in the second half of Season 3 of the Great Teacher Alliance. We have meetups on the first Wednesday of each month with teachers from across the country. Each episode is built on a BRAND NEW THEME. All of the content is recorded and available to you whenever you have time to view it. You can still join at any time. New Episodes will air through June.
In the frosty and frigid month of February, The Secret Sauce Society (AKA Andi McNair, Stephanie Higgs, Justin Mitchell, and Me!) is turning up the HEAT with a Four Part Professional Learning Series that we are calling FROM FROST TO FIRE! So, if you are looking for six hours of professional learning filled with practical strategies to reignite you and your learners, then this is the place.
Since you made it this far in this email, I want to reward you with a FREE GIFT for your perseverance. During one of the Improv classes, I was reminded of a story telling strategy that I used in the past, but had completely forgotten about.
It is often referred to as the PIXAR Story Telling Spine. The idea is that in all of their films, PIXAR uses the same basic structure. (No. I am not talking about the secret recipe for making you cry). I am talking about Seven Simple Steps that are the foundation of a story.
Once there was a…
And every day…
Until one day…
And because of this…
And because of this…
Until finally…
And ever since that day…
There are a few ways that I think that this could work in your learning environment.
Use this PDF version of the Story Spine!
1. Complete the Story Spine for a PIXAR film or other story. How well does it fit or not fit? Does this work for EVERY story? Can you think of a story that doesn’t fit this pattern?
2. Each individual completes the Story Spine separately. (Ok. This is kind of boring, and you probably aren’t really going to get any spectacular ideas. At least yet.)
3. Everyone gets their own spine to start, BUT instead of completing the entire thing, they only complete one line and then pass it to someone else. WARNING! Many of your learners are going to HATE this! But this is kind of the point. Just go with it and encourage them to give into the experience.
4. Share the Story Spine, but have them verbally respond with each person delivering only the next part. Encourage quick responses. Again, some of your learners are really going to hate this. Encourage them to not overthink this. There’s not a right answer. It just is.
5. Go back and revisit having them write the responses either collectively or individually. By playing with a lot of ideas in this fluid way, better story ideas and creativity will begin to flow.
Also, ask for ideas for titles! This is a great place to encourage FLUENCY, FLEXIBILITY, ORIGINALITY, and ELABORATION. Well, maybe not elaboration. Instead, why not aim for SIMPLICITY!
Have you done this with your learners before? Or did you try it out now that you know about it? I would love to hear about your experiences!
Ok. That’s it for now.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being you.
Brian
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