Christmas came early this year. It came in February. I had pre-ordered my copy of Jennifer Serravallo’s The Writing Strategies Book and it arrived last week. What an incredible body of work for teachers and coaches to use in developing confident and skilled writers! Already this week, instructional coaches in our district have taken a …
We make a big deal in education about the importance of reflection. Teachers are admonished to take time to think about their instruction, or more importantly to reflect on student learning. It’s a powerful process to engage in methodically thinking through how to improve troubling issues that arise in the classroom. Teachers typically begin by …
Last February I started blogging weekly and in September a second weekly segment, That Thing You Do! was added. It’s a post by invitation where authors and educators share a strategy that teachers can put into practice in their professional lives. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to those who contributed this year. Thank …
Readers are in for a treat. Today’s guest blogger is Jeff Blankenship, Technology Integration Specialist for Hurst Euless Bedford ISD in Texas. I’m a huge fan as Jeff has been responsible for training me from an absolute rookie in technology to near veteran status. You can reach Jeff by email at jeffreyblankenship@hebisd.edu and follow …
When I first became an instructional coach and found myself planning with teachers, I focused almost exclusively on instruction. I’d had over two decades in education, had read dozens of professional books and attended countless teacher training sessions. I believed myself to be an expert on effective instruction. But several years ago everything changed. I …
One of the huge benefits of social media is the opportunity it provides to form relationships with great leaders in the field of education. Shortly after I created a Twitter account, I came across a multitude of passionate, powerful tweets from Dr. Mary Howard. Dr. Howard is an outstanding educational consultant and author known for …
A few weeks ago on a Saturday morning, I got the following text message from my friend and colleague who teaches 6th grade. Four words. The same sentiment this brilliant teacher speaks into the lives of her students when they encounter challenges. Aubrey came to her understanding of the “power of YET” by reading Dr. …
I’m currently reading Candice Millard’s Destiny of the Republic, her national bestseller about the life and death of President James Garfield. In the early pages of the book, Millard recounts the accomplishments of one of Garfield’s contemporaries, Alexander Graham Bell. I was struck by a particular passage that describes Bell’s life and passionate pursuits. Although …
Accountability—the idea of holding schools, districts, educators, and students responsible for results—has become the most-recent watchword in education. In more and more states and districts, policymakers are moving to reward achievement and punish failure in schools, in an effort to ensure that children are getting a good education and that tax dollars aren’t being wasted. …
In this space I’ll be exploring everyday teachers committed wholly to student learning, tackling hard questions that beat at the heart of a classroom, analyzing the latest messages coming from educational professionals, and envisioning application for classroom use. I hope you’ll stick around and journey with me.
