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?
Teaching and loving our students at a distance
Can we love more from a distance? Does the distance magnify our love? I have thoroughly enjoyed Dave Chang’s show Ugly Delicious on Netflix. One of his recent episodes explored food through the eyes of an expecting parent (him). It made … Continue reading Teaching and loving our students at a distance
Suffer, Survive, Seek, or Serve?
On Monday morning, as I prepared to return from our weirdly early and even weirder version of spring break to a weird version of school called remote learning, I tried to follow my normal school day routine (though a bit … Continue reading Suffer, Survive, Seek, or Serve?
Can we inspire creation with our lessons?
I’ve hit a bit of a writing block lately, mostly consuming – Books, TV Shows, articles, twitter feeds. It’s been enjoyable at times, but also frustrating. I’ve been frustrated at not creating, not because I can’t share it with others … Continue reading Can we inspire creation with our lessons?
Which learning is forever?
Listening to John Spencer’s podcast (Seven Reasons to Geek Out on Educational Theory) today made me nostalgic for my grad school days and the deep dives into theory. I always geeked out on theory, both as an undergrad and in … Continue reading Which learning is forever?
Courage vs Ego: Am I good enough?
Courage: mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty Courage is the willingness to put your self on the line knowing that you might fail. Ego: the self especially as contrasted with another self or … Continue reading Courage vs Ego: Am I good enough?
The Lost Teacher 