SMILE Factor
SMILE Factor is more than a concept to us. It is how we show up each day as educators and leaders. As Laurie Guyon and Dr. Matthew X. Joseph, we believe that when passion, play, and purpose are intentionally part of our work, schools become places where both educators and students thrive.
For us, SMILE Factor thinking is about reconnecting with our why. It is about recognizing that joy is not an extra. It is essential. The small moments we experience each day, from laughter in a classroom to meaningful connections with colleagues, are not distractions from learning. They are the work.
Through our events, the SMILE Factor book, and our podcast, we are committed to learning with and from all of you. This is not about having all the answers. It is about building a community that supports one another, shares ideas, and grows together.
We are driven to support you on your learning journey while continuing to learn alongside you, because when we bring passion, play, and purpose back to education, we all move forward together.
SMILE Factor Book
Whether you're a teacher seeking to bring back the fun, a school leader looking for culture-building strategies, or an aspiring educator wondering how to make a lasting impact, this book serves as a reminder: passion fuels progress, play powers innovation, and purpose keeps us going.
SMILE Factor Podcast
In each episode, we jump into the real work of education, sharing innovative teaching ideas, fresh perspectives, and powerful stories from the field. This is where honest conversations meet practical takeaways, all designed to spark new thinking and energize your practice.
SMILE Factor Book Resources
Use the ideas from SMILE Factor and bring them to life in your classroom, school, and leadership practice. These resources are designed to move beyond the page and into action.
From reflection guides and team activities to ready-to-use strategies, everything here is built to help you lead with passion, bring play back into learning, and stay grounded in purpose.
This is not just about reading the book.
It is about living the work.
SMILE Factor Swag
Want to take the SMILE Factor with you? Grab some SMILE Factor swag and bring that energy into your everyday spaces. From your classroom to your office, it is a simple way to represent passion, play, and purpose while staying connected to a community that believes in leading and learning with joy.