You cannot be a clone of your favorite teacher, so stop trying. Instead, use the best practices of applied theory and pedagogy learned in your teacher preparation and employment professional development. Continue reading
Many Teachers Try To Teach As They Were Taught – Stop Doing That!
Sharpening Teaching Tools – Getting Ready for Day 1 Means Getting the Rust Off
Summer vacation is time away from teaching and using sharp instructional skills. Before the first day of school this fall, all teachers need time and opportunity to consider and rehearse their teaching methodologies. The first week of school is for teaching and learning not getting ready to teach. Continue reading
Liberal Arts: The High School Curriculum for Our Future
Exorbitant student debt and the need for marketable skills have killed a college liberal arts education. High school curriculum is the last bastion for assuring future Americans can understand America and Americans. Continue reading
We are what we appear to value. Reading Proficiency and Censorship.
Public education is shaped by state legislation. Two current bills represent contrasting views of how children should be educated. One progressive; the other regressive. Continue reading
Dropping Educator Prep For Superintendents Is A Bad Idea
A school district without a trained educator as superintendent is a rudderless ship. Continue reading
Be Patient – Let Life Unfold
Patience is not innate. It is a learned soft skill set that is modeled but not taught. Helping children to be patient and allow their world to unfold may be the most important personal disposition we can shape in our children. Continue reading
Saying No to What Is Not Right Is Always Right
It always is right to say no to what is not right and yes to what is right in public education. When hot button issues arise, expressing your no and yes is essential. Continue reading
No Blinders on US History Curriculum
US History is the story of all its people not just those whose political-economic status allows them to dominate the story telling. We need history without blinders. Continue reading
We Are Short of Licensed Teachers Who Want to Teach
We have enough licensed teachers to place a teacher in every classroom. The current shortage derives from licensed teachers who do not teach. We have made teaching and undesirable profession. Continue reading
The Hard Work Is The Right Work
The new challenge – how to deal with controversy while maintaining Board responsibility to provide an equal and equitable for all children and protecting the rights of the individual child. It is the hard of this work that makes school work so worthwhile. Continue reading