Alpha Sigma Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International

09/12/2025

Dear DKG members and guests,

You are cordially invited to attend a webinar “The Bully Needs a Buddy Too: Using Kindness as an Early Childhood Intervention Strategy” with Loverly Sheridan. We scheduled the webinar for a time that most members, including our DKG European members, will be able to attend.

📅 Saturday, September 27, 2025 12:30 PM – 1:45 PM ET
⏰ Hosted by DKG members: Dr. Elizabeth Tarner (Virginia), Carol Linscott (Washington), Beverley Johns (Illinois)

Register here: https://forms.gle/3uWv7wdKXiB6gu7dA

🌟 Meet the Speaker: Loverly Sheridan, DKG Florida member 🌟

Award-winning Author • Educator • Global Changemaker • Mental Health Advocate

Loverly Sheridan is a visionary educator, author, and global changemaker whose life’s mission is rooted in spreading kindness, reimagining mental health, and empowering children and adults alike.

Born and raised in Saint Lucia in a single-parent household of six, Loverly grew up with a dream to see the world beyond her island. That dream took her far— earning her bachelor’s degree in the United States, a master’s in Australia, and later living and teaching in China and Japan. With over 80 countries visited, Loverly has turned her global experiences into lessons of compassion, education, and inclusion.

Her most impactful work is Buddy Ambassadors, an organisation she founded to promote kindness, empathy, compassion, and inclusion in and out of school.

She creates programs and campaigns to empower both children and adults. One of her most successful campaigns was birthed from her award-winning book, “ Be a Buddy, Not a Bully.” Unlike traditional anti-bullying campaigns that focus on the problem, Buddy Ambassadors shifts attention toward kindness, recognizing and celebrating children who model empathy and positive behavior.

This fresh approach has been welcomed in schools across the U.S. and the Caribbean, earning her accolades such as Educator of the Year, the International Athena Leadership Award, and recognition from Palm Beach State College with the Martin Luther King Leadership Award.

Today, Loverly is expanding her platform to champion neurodiversity and mental health, aiming to change the narrative around ADHD, autism, OCD, and other differences.

She boldly calls her neurodivergence her “superpower” and is working with clinicians and educators to revolutionize how society, schools, and workplaces view and support the neurodivergent brain.

Her goal: to spark a global movement that normalizes differences, eliminates stigma, promote empathy and kindness, and equips future generations with the tools to thrive in a complex world.

Learn More & Connect

www.loverlysheridan.com

www.buddyambassadors.com

www.takeaminutebench.com

loverlysheridan@icloud.com

09/12/2025

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🌐 Virtual Teachers’ Lounge Invitation
Wednesday, September 17, 2025 | 7:30 – 8:30 pm ET

🚨 Topic: Education at Risk—Chronic Absenteeism of Teachers and Students

📌 Event Details

When: Wednesday, September 17, 2025 | 7:30 – 8:30 pm ET
Where: Online via Zoom (link sent morning of September 17)
Registration closes: Tuesday, September 16, 2025 at 9:00 pm ET
Register here: https://forms.gle/fCQHFWSRjc5FtdSV9
We’ll begin with our 15-minute update on federal funding, grants, and the upcoming federal budget—the current deadline (unless extended) is September 30, 2025. Following the update, our discussion will focus on the rising absenteeism of both students and teachers in today’s K–12 schools as well as solutions:

Why are absences increasing?
What impact is chronic absenteeism having on learning and school communities?
What short-term and long-term solutions are possible?
👉 Absenteeism is more than a statistic—it’s a critical challenge that demands our attention.Please come prepared to share examples from your own classrooms or substitute teaching experiences, and to learn from colleagues nationwide.

Possible Guest Speaker

We are inviting a public health expert to share timely updates on:

Vaccines and flu/COVID shots for students, families, and educators
Emerging health risks that may further impact attendance

✍️ Endorse the VTL Educators’ Pledge

We invite you to join colleagues in endorsing the VTL Educators’ Pledge, a statement of our shared commitment to equity, collaboration, and advocacy. Add your signature here: https://chng.it/zb4Xs7Sj2W

👩‍🏫 Hosted by the Virtual Teachers’ Lounge Team
Karen Gross • Carol Linscott • Sakina MacGruder • Pat Neal • Liz Tarner • Ed Wang

🌐 Learn more: www.vtl4today.com

“Join us. There is no shortage of topics floating to the top of our minds, hearts and health.”

WELCOME TO THE Virtual Teachers' Lounge Teaching is especially challenging. The Virtual Teachers’ Lounge is a place where teachers can safely share how they manage with students, share best practices, and receive peer support. We were founded during the Pandemic, and we’re here to stay. Our Envi...

08/08/2025

Pass it on. Let your friends know.

Join Alpha Sigma Kitsap in a FUNdraiser for our scholarship programs.

08/08/2025

Join Alpha Sigma Kitsap in a FUNdraiser for our scholarship programs.

02/14/2025

Invitation to the Virtual Teachers’ Lounge session!

Wednesday, February 19, 2025 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm ET

Greetings!

Please plan to attend the Virtual Teachers’ Lounge next week. Join us as we share knowledge, gain understanding, and seek solutions and paths to self-care and joy.

There’s so much going on. In our safe space, let’s discuss and share how what’s happening in our country is affecting educators and students. What’s happening to you? What is happening in education in 2025?

Tamara Webster from Michigan and Sakina McGruder from Maryland will share what is happening locally in their respective school districts.

Please register at this link to receive the ZOOM link: https://forms.gle/ywtEpfa3phsrhu2r7

We encourage you to share this information with your colleagues and friends.

Please verify that your email address is correct. We recommend using a personal email as school emails are often restricted from outside sources. They may prevent you from receiving the ZOOM link or other valuable information.

We look forward to seeing you this Wednesday, February 19, 2025.



Warm regards,

Karen, Ed, Sakina, Pat, Liz, Carol

12/17/2024

My heart is with the community of Madison, Wisconsin as they deal with the tragedy of a school shooting at the Abundant Life Christian School this morning. Thank you to the first responders and all involved in providing the help needed. May your pain be eased through the support of community at large. Thank you to all providing help, understanding, guidance, and a path to peace.

12/16/2024

It's time to pass the Social Security Fairness Act.

11/06/2024

Virtual Program: The Right to Read
Please join us for virtual presentation—THE RIGHT TO READ— with Megan (Rose) Buck. You don't want to miss it.
When: Monday, November 18, 2024, 7:00 EST - EST
Registration: Register here, and you will receive the ZOOM link before the session.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfu8DNbUI0OXGYGGzl9PU-mNxBIbG2X_-3bIOa3GrFWXmKZBQ/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0
Hosts: Debbie Pajula (Michigan), Carol Linscott (Washington), Elizabeth Tarner (Virginia), and Bev Johns (Illinois)

11/06/2024

NOVEMBER 18, 2024, 6 P.M. CENTRAL AND 7 P.M. EASTERN.—MEGAN BUCK PRESENTS ON RIGHT TO READ—HOSTED BY DEBBIE PAJULA, CAROL LINSCOTT, ELIZABETH TARNER, AND BEV JOHNS

Megan (Rose) Buck was the State of Michigan Public Librarian of the Year for 2023. She is a librarian, teacher, and parent and shares her insight on censorship, challenged books, and more. Megan is from Michigan and is known for her insightful presentations. This session is being hosted by Debbie Pajula, Liz Tarner, Carol Linscott, and Bev Johns. You don't want to miss it. Register below and you will then receive the zoom link a few days before the session.



https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfu8DNbUI0OXGYGGzl9PU-mNxBIbG2X_-3bIOa3GrFWXmKZBQ/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0

10/08/2024

https://www.nea.org/professional-excellence/student-engagement/read-across-america/2024-2025-calendar?utm_source=edpractice&utm_medium=sms&utm_campaign=202410_readacrossamerica&ms=sms_edpractice_202410_readacrossamerica

Each month, we feature three books—one each for young, middle grade, and young adult readers—that explore a topic related to diversity and inclusion. Check out the calendar below to see what's in store!

11/08/2023

Join Ben Ibale, Human and Civil Rights Coordinator, WEA Center for Educational Quality, in a 3 hour presen- tation on the role of educator –student relationships to increase student hope and resiliency, the greatest factor towards graduation and student success. The training focuses a lens on equity, inclusion and cultural competency as a means for improving student engagement and classroom management. North Kitsap edu- cators will appreciate the extensions to last August workshop with Ben that will be provided through specific classroom strategies and practices. Those from other districts will gain from both the specific practices and the overview provided. Open to all educators, paraprofessionals, and administrators.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 20 4:30—8 PM Olympic Uniserve
26297 Twelve Trees Lane NW, Poulsbo (1/4 mile off Highway 3 & Pioneer Way, approximately 1/2 mile on the
right after the turn onto Twelve Trees Lane;4.5 mi. south of the Hood Canal Bridge & 6.3 mi. north of Hwy 305.)
3.0 Clock Hours Available FREE Dinner Provided
Preregistration requested: https://dkgkitsap.weebly.com
DKG will be collecting clothing items, gloves, socks & toiletries for housing challenged families.
Sponsored by: Alpha Sigma Chapter, Kitsap, Delta Kappa Gamma Society International; WEA Olympic Uniserve; & the North Kitsap School District.

05/19/2023

Strong women need strong women around them and are inclined to build stronger women around them.

Weak women with ego tend to stand in the way of others discouraging personal and professional progress.

Be strong, inclusive, and encouraging.

Carol Linscott