We have an obligation to be mindful of how we teach and use the use of technology in learning. If you are wondering whether this applies to you or not, try spending a day without your phone attached to you, not checking your email, or looking for news alerts or suggestions for purchase. We would struggle to do that ourselves. Look around during faculty meetings and see whether there is focused attention or whether some are looking at their phones and iPads. Ask yourself if you've…

We have discovered over the past election cycle that it was getting more difficult not to get dragged down. The more hateful the language, the more distasteful the attitudes, the more troubling the policy, the more invisible the values, the more we were challenged to stay optimistic. A school is just a building without those human qualities living within it. We do know, however, that our business is one of hope and of optimism and of…

WHERE GRIT REALLY COMES FROM

I just spent 13 hours in a car.

Because of weather, yesterday’s flight was…

Leaders become mired in the work of getting all of the required evaluations of faculty and staff completed.  Once finishing becomes the objective, all potential value is in jeopardy. But at this time of year, that is the weight one feels, to finish. Evaluation is intended to serve two masters: one is accountability and the other is professional development. Some might think that is an irreconcilable duality. One might say it is an impossible one. But it is a fact of life in schools. So…

 Children should be encouraged to do their best at all times.

Instead, here's what our public schools recommend: take it easy; cut corners; don't worry if you're late; don't memorize anything; if you didn't bother with your homework, no problem; don't pay attention in class;  guess; give up; drop out.…

Happy B’day, Ponyboy. Why Kids Still Love The Outsiders

BY MIDDLEWEB · 04/02/2017