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3 Challenges for the Future of Education
I was recently sent an email and asked to identify some of the challenges I see for the future of learning in education. These are things that I have noticed through my travels and after countless...
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10 Easy Ways to Create an Awesome School District Culture
In the past, I have written about some simple ideas that can help improve the culture in both the classroom and school setting. In this post, I want to focus on some quick things that can be done at...
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A Reminder for Those Tough Moments with Students
Early in my teaching career, I remember many nights where I would come home and cry. Non-stop crying. It wasn’t because of how exhausting the work was (because it was), but it was often because of an...
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3 Thoughts on “Culture Killers”
A friend shared the following story with me: Here’s a culture horror story for you: I have a friend who does amazing work with primary students. The superintendent of her district decided to do a photo...
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3 Ways to Build the “Energy” in Your Schools
Recently, I wrote about the “3 E’s of Building a Great School Culture,” and they were as follows: The Environment is about the space(s) around us and the “stuff” that is needed to serve students...
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10 Tips for New Teachers
I fell upon this article by Jennifer Gonzalez (known all over the world for her excellent site, “The Cult of Pedagogy”) advising new teachers. It was a great read and reminded me a lot of my ups and...
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Mentoring Others to Shine Their Light
The whole “there are two types of people” narrative is one that drives me crazy because people are complex and can’t be categorized simply. But lately, I have noticed different demeanors that are...
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2 Questions to Equip Students to Find Their Own Way
When I was a student, the expectation of when you were sent to the office to see the principal was…there was going to be significant trouble. It was the place you would get scolded and maybe even,...
View Article4 Steps to Deal with Not Feeling Supported
Maybe you feel overwhelmed? Maybe you feel that you are on the wrong path? Maybe you feel there is a personality conflict? Whatever the reason, feeling like you are not getting support from your...
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Starting With Positive Assumptions
Assumptions can cause a lot of issues in the work that is done by educators. They can be used as a detriment or to your advantage. Think of these negative assumptions. Parents don’t want education to...
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Immersed in the Present With an Eye on the Future
A good friend of mine and a tremendous leader reached out to me and asked me a question to share my thinking on, “What’s next?” Knowing they already do incredible work I encouraged him to not think...
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Teaching Responsibility or Compliance?
I remember first watching this Seth Godin Ted Talk, “Stop Stealing Dreams” and how the first part made me think (taken from the transcript posted here): Good morning, boys and girls. [Audience:...
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Sometimes the “Work” is Really the “Learning”
I was blessed with the opportunity to work with a group in Yellowknife, NWT this past week and it is easily the furthest north I have ever been in the world. As a Canadian, I have experienced cold, but...
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Because of a Teacher…
Image by John Spencer It is almost winter holidays for many teachers all over North America. At this time of year, it can be extremely stressful as kids minds are often other places, sometimes...
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Focusing on Individual Moments and Recognition of Staff
The best administrators I have ever worked for were always great with emotional intelligence, yet not always stellar on “policy.” The former matters more than the latter because policies don’t matter...
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Honoring the Past While Moving Toward the Future
A couple of things that I have been thinking lately: When we say, “We want our students to change the world” or “solve tomorrow’s problems,” I wonder if we are acting like the generation of teachers...
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Celebrating the Success and Differences of Others #LEAPEffect
As I was re-reading, “Take the LEAP; Ignite a Culture of Innovation” by Elisabeth Bostwick (published by Impress Books), this passage stuck out to me and was one that left me feeling uncomfortable as I...
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3 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Challenging Others
One of the benefits I have of being in education is having an older brother that is heavily involved in the field as well. His feedback to me in the past has been some of the harshest that I have ever...
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Finding the Best Ideas Vs. Finding a Winner
I fell upon Anatol Rapoport‘s rules of constructive argument and debate and found them compelling: How to compose a successful critical commentary: You should attempt to re-express your target’s...
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4 Thoughts to Help You Move Beyond Harsh Self-Criticism
I have been reading the “Marc and Angel Hack Life” blog for years, and it always gives me a little mental boost after soaking in some of the ideas. I don’t agree with everything that is written on...
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