Educators are responsible for and to their local schools and districts. But, a national value for a highly educated population to preserve our democracy and a highly prepared workforce to sustain our national economy gives the federal government an interest in our work that cannot be denied. It is the bigger picture that evades many. If we are to object to these federal mandates, then how can we be sure we are not only taking care of our local concerns?  How do we assert our obligation…

We applaud the Secretary King's leadership on the value of STEM for all but offer a caution about a narrow definition of STEM as the advancement, only, of science, technology, engineering, and math.  If those four content areas are advanced without a concomitant shift within the entire educational system, we stand to lose the full potential offered by STEM and this decade. A slew of unintended consequences may occur. The most serious is the contribution to a widening achievement gap…

It was the day of this year's Boston Marathon. An ESPN radio host in New York's Capital District was commenting on the Ethiopian runners who took the top honors for the day. In doing so, he made remarks that were so repugnant we won't repeat them here. We wrote the channel to confirm we had heard correctly. We received a response stating that "in retrospect it was an inappropriate comment in a vain attempt to be funny." And there you have it. The harm was done. Hanging unrepentantly in…

Engagement in intentional professional growth opportunities is a key component of an evolving educator. For example, Twitter has taken the educational world by storm over the past five years. In my new book that I co-wrote with Billy Krakower and Scott Rocco, 140 Twitter Tips for…

What is more important in a family than the children?  Many young couples chose where to live based on the schools. But every parent shares their little one's excitement and anxiety on that first day of school. Beginning at the young age of 5 in most communities, children are placed in our hands. We are the institution to them and we assure them we are an institution they can trust with lives that are most precious. Letting go of the young ones' hands, feeling it slip away as they walk…

New York State is a hotbed of this resistance and opposition movement. With the former Commissioner of Education now in DC, recent appointee Commissioner Elia has begun a walk back from her predecessor's agenda. She worked to find or develop better tests.  She has effected a temporary uncoupling of student results and teacher and principal evaluations. For this year's administration, tests are untimed and questions will be released at the close of the scoring window. In her brief…

 March Madness...NCAA basketball for non-sports enthusiasts...is over. Villanova won the men's championship with a "buzzer shot". When an interviewer asked Kris Jenkins, the 3 point shooter, when he knew the shot would be a good one, Kris responded by saying he knew when he received the pass. It came to him exactly right. Here was the star of the night, a college junior, acknowledging the teammate who passed the ball. That's a team at work.

What to do when your team isn't in…

Some believe leaders are born.  Whether that is true or not, in our profession, becoming a school leader most often begins in the classroom. Teachers feel the call to make a bigger difference or to fill a different role. They take the first step by entering graduate programs. Those programs, formerly known by the name 'Educational Administration', have, over these past years, become 'Educational Leadership' programs. But, too often, the difference in the names did not necessarily…

Spring is a time of renewal. Leaves open into lime green brilliance.  Perennials pop from the earth and spread an array of color. For educators, the chapter called 2015- 2016 is racing to a close. The next year comes into focus with budgets finalized and assignments made. Students and teachers and principals will be evaluated and next year's decisions will be made.

It may well be the time of year when educators feel most accountable. But is it motivating? Paid with public dollars, we…