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What isn’t going to change? A reflection on successful, innovative coaching
This week, James Clear posted a short story about Jeff Bezos in his newsletter. “I very frequently get the question: ‘What’s going to change in the next 10 years?’ And that is a very interesting question; it’s a very common … Continue reading What isn’t going to change? A reflection on successful, innovative coaching
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Ten (or Eleven) books that tell the story of my reading life
As the year closes out and Top Ten lists pop up everywhere, I thought I’d get in on the game, but take a different route. Recently, my friend Danny Bauer shared the first book he remembered reading as a kid … Continue reading Ten (or Eleven) books that tell the story of my reading life
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The Art of Teaching
I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. – Maya Angelou (or possibly someone else) If there ever was a quote that represented teaching young … Continue reading The Art of Teaching
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Who am I being? How many eyes are shining around me?
Why can’t 100% of people be excited about education. Who am I being, how do I talk, how do I walk, if I believe that 100% of people love the power of learning, they just don’t know it yet. Continue reading Who am I being? How many eyes are shining around me?
Feedback Triggers and Email Rules
I wonder about two factors that play into the problems of email. Fast typing and “Send.” Of all forms of communication, “Send” is the most immediate way to communicate a complete idea while also eliminating my ability to gauge the response of the person or people I’m emailing. Continue reading Feedback Triggers and Email Rules
Happy Panda Day!
Did you know National Panda Day is March 16th? I didn’t, until I thought of an idea for a special day, wanted to call it Happy Panda Day! and then googled Panda Day. Of course it is. Do you know … Continue reading Happy Panda Day!
Two Whys – Aligning Actions and Values to Inspire
Why am I a school leader? Why should Continue reading Two Whys – Aligning Actions and Values to Inspire
A note for my son & Classroom artistry
Tonight I found a teachable moment for my son. A moment that was uniquely created by a pandemic. On Monday, I hope I can find new ways to help teachers find teachable moments for their students. 2020 has made it extremely obvious how important it is for us to create positive change in the world. Our teachers are at the center of that work and encouraging their artistry is essential. Continue reading A note for my son & Classroom artistry
Twenty-Eight Years Later: My call to be better for all children
In 1992, I turned 9 years old. It was the year that Rodney King was beaten and my awareness of a much bigger, much more confusing world became apparent. In 2020, my son turned 9 years old. It is the … Continue reading Twenty-Eight Years Later: My call to be better for all children
Having difficult conversations with your children
This is the version of a letter I wrote this past Monday night for my school community as I thought about this last week’s events and particularly our students and children and how we speak with them. As a teacher, and now as an administrator with the role of supporting students socially and emotionally, these thoughts are based on my experiences in our school and classrooms. Dear Friends, I imagined that many of you, like me, have had a heavy heart over the last week. For those of us with children of any age, we think about what the future … Continue reading Having difficult conversations with your children
How to end this school year?
I love picture books. I love reading a great picture book aloud with students to share a message beyond my words. I have been searching up and down for a read aloud to share with our Preschool through 5th grade … Continue reading How to end this school year?
Why jokes work and the Zone of Genius?
Why do jokes work? I don’t know what the phases of joke telling are for most kids, but my son seems to be progressing to a new one. Not necessarily a good one, just a new one. A few years … Continue reading Why jokes work and the Zone of Genius?
Walking by myself
I went for a walk yesterday. On my own. I don’t go for walks by myself. If I do go on a walk, it’s with my wife and maybe my son biking around us. And even if I did choose … Continue reading Walking by myself
Where is the finish line?
Is “Zoom Retreat” an oxymoron? I am sitting (and typing) in silence. And it is beautiful, peaceful, productive. I know. I’ve heard all the ‘multi-tasking isn’t actually productive’ stuff before. I like background noise. I usually work well with it … Continue reading Where is the finish line?
