I remember when my wife Jodi and I were expecting our first child and we were so concerned about what we would name him or her.  We felt it was an immense responsibility, believing that a person is often associated with his or her name; it becomes a part of their identity, creating an impression of who they are.  We ended up having a boy and named him Sam. Three years later, we had another boy and named him Gideon.  Now when I think of my kids, I can’t imagine them having any other name.  If I answer a phone call and  hear…"Hi dad, it's Sam", or "it's Gid," I instantly smile, as the name creates an image and that image leads to a feeling. A feeling of love.

Just as the name we  choose for  a child can play a role in shaping  his or her  life experience, when we name the world of learning for the students in our schools and classrooms, we are doing the same thing- helping to shape their life experience. This month's Little Talks that Make a Big Difference podcast focuses on naming the world of learning and discovery for our students.