This weekend, I had the opportunity to sit down with Salli Carter for an upcoming episode of The Educator Experience podcast, which will air this fall. Salli was kind enough to share a few clips in advance, and I thought it would be fun to give this community a first look. 😊 If you enjoy hearing educator stories and perspectives, I think you’ll appreciate the conversations Salli is creating. One of the themes that kept coming up in our conversation was community, and it left me reflecting on how much that has shaped me over the years. Early in my classroom teaching experience, creating a sense of belonging for students mattered deeply to me. Looking back, I realize that community wasn’t separate from learning—it was part of the learning. Building trust, making room for every voice, and helping students feel seen mattered just as much as the lessons themselves. As Salli and I talked, I found myself connecting those early experiences with what I’m trying to cultivate here. Different setting, same hope. Whether in a classroom or an online space, I believe people thrive when they know they belong and when every voice matters. In many ways, that’s at the heart of Visually Speaking too: making voices visible and creating opportunities for people to connect, learn, and support one another. Not surprisingly, community found its way into many parts of our discussion. 💜 I’m excited to share the full episode when it airs this fall, but until then, I hope you enjoy this little behind-the-scenes glimpse. ✨ Consider this your exclusive preview. Here is the YouTube link to The Educator Experience channel: https://youtube.com/@theeducatorexperience?si=jFIcC-nHhbKVXvq3 …And the Podcast link on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-educator-experience-podcast-with-salli-carter/id1817723101

Last night while watching a hockey game, I thought about a fan-made sign that instantly communicated an idea without needing much explanation at all. It got me reflecting about how often visuals are quietly doing heavy lifting in everyday life — helping us navigate spaces, recognize meaning, make decisions, follow directions, connect ideas, or respond quickly. I’m starting to play around with a little “Visuals IRL” concept where I share quick examples of visual communication showing up naturally in the world around us 👀 Now I’m curious: Is it just me that thinks visuals all day long? What visuals do you notice throughout your day that seem to “work instantly”? Could be: 🏒 sports signs 🚻 public symbols 📍 maps/navigation 🛒 stores 📦 packaging 🚦 traffic signs 📱 app icons 🙂 emojis …or anything else that helps communicate meaning quickly without needing a lot of words.