teaching advice
For Who They Are
We all are asked for advice from time to time, and over my years as a high school teacher, I occasionally get a question from one of my charges about relationships. Whether asking me is Read more…
teaching advice
One Who Tries
We frequently ask students to try harder. It’s one of those things a teacher is supposed to do. But saying it, and saying it in such a way that it elicits the effort we want Read more…
service
Off the Charts Cool
In the swamp of seemingly endless stories about corruption, lies, shootings, and similar, it can be hard to be optimistic about the future. And yet, there are people like Manu Prakash. Centrifuges are devices used Read more…
service
It Just Arrives
The first time I watched this video about a South African woman who knits warm things for babies she’s never met, I was moved by the power of her voice to speak to what matters. Read more…
school leaders
Worth the Reflection
“Don’t worry; you’ll grow out of it.” The boy looked back at my smile quizzically, with that, “Did he just encourage me or insult me?” look on his face. The truth is that it was Read more…
school leaders
The Welcome
Ask a lot of people what they are planning to do when they retire, and you’ll get the response, “As little as possible!” Were you to have asked that of my friend Cecelia a few Read more…
teaching advice
Training Ourselves
Several years ago I was told a story about how baby elephants are trained for the circus. Can’t say that I know how accurate it is or remember exactly where I heard it, but the Read more…
system
School and Purpose
This morning I watched a video that directly challenges how schools typically run. The video is called What is School For? by Prince Ea, who blends commentary with hip-hop delivery to explore why we do Read more…
teaching advice
Complex Projects and Seeding the Ground
Yesterday morning I talked with a teacher about a project that he’s done before – one he really enjoyed when he did it. It involved having students research charities, interview volunteers, and create videos telling Read more…
teaching advice
Difficult Moments are Opportunities
Teachers face challenges. Often. Some of our students work against our efforts to help them learn. Some of our students’ parents treat us as opponents rather than partners in their children’s education. Some of our Read more…