Dean Shareski’s post “Why Teachers aren’t making “the Shifts”” examines reasons for teachers not making progress in changing their practices with the changes that are taking place around them. They aren’t staying current. Dean’s post is a great read and really covers much of what needs to be said. As well, there are some…
“Transition and change is difficult. It takes time.” How many times have you heard this? How many times has this been seen as an excuse for not changing? I know I’ve read more than a few blog articles about no longer accepting the “excuses” for not changing – there needs to be a change and…
Anything. But do it differently. Get out of the rut before it becomes so deep you can’t. It doesn’t have to be big or deep or highly innovative. It doesn’t need to be thoroughly planned out. You need an idea and then, using your creativity, allow the process to move the learning. Sometimes we are…
Since yesterday, I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting about Professional Development – and so have a few other people. I read Dean Shareski’s latest blog post about the time he’s spent at DENSI 2013. I’ve participated in a number of wonderful in person events over the past several years. Unplugged was a brilliantly crafted experience that…
Yesterday I took part in EdcampHOME. It was a great experience being able to “hangout” and participate. Watching the home base problem-solve as things occurred was a reminder that learning is a messy/energetic/inventive/creative experience made better when shared. First off, thanks to the organizers – Kelly Kermode @coachK, Karl Lindgren-Streicher @LS_Karl, Shawn White @swpax and…
Productive Group Work by Nancy Frey, Douglas Fisher and Sandi Everlove In Productive Group Work, the authors discuss the importance of effectively working in groups. As most people have discovered, not everyone knows how to work in a group. In fact, many people have difficulty working collaboratively to accomplish a task. This isn’t to say…
Over the past three or four years, I’ve wondered if my voice in education really matters. As a principal, my voice has impact within the building where I am and it has impact, to some extent, in the school community where I am. But, really, does it matter? Since I began my career as a…
Rethinking Homework by Cathy Vatterott discusses the place homework has in school life. She explores the beliefs behind homework and then looks at strategies for assisting students with completing homework. I especially found the first portion of the book very helpful. The discussion about the beliefs about homework (p10-24) provided some good information that I…
Originally posted at Ed Administrators2.0 The Speed of Trust by Stephen M. R. Covey is a must read for anyone who is involved with the change process. The book outlines how trust is the foundation for all the relationships. Whether it is in business or in our personal lives, trust binds all that we do…
This post is coming from that feeling one sometimes gets when one knows that something just has to happen. It’s all kind of names – guiding voice, spirit, … – something I’ve been listening more go lately because, really, following my head hasn’t really been working all that well. It is a bit rambling –…