Working At The Edge

Make School Different: Digital leadership & Transformation

Practitioner Voice

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Several items crossed my various feeds this past weekend, prompting me to surface ideas about the importance of practitioner voice in advancing the vision we seek for teaching and learning: Pens and paper are holding your kids back, says Microsoft via Joe Pacitti (@PacittiELA) the graphic to the right via Ross Cooper (@rosscoops31) Learn the […]

Don’t wait for things to be perfect…

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Over the past few weeks I’ve been reflecting on my work in my new role as Superintendent. The greatest challenge I’ve experienced is to not be consumed by the day-to-day work and find time to slow it all down, making space for both reflection and professional reading. It’s analogous to the person who doesn’t find […]

(Re)learning Change is Complex

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I’m one of those people who finds myself reading (and listening) to multiple books at the same time. I’m not sure why, but it has it’s pros and cons. Probably something I should think about changing. Currently, I’m working my way through Hattie’s Visible Learning for Teachers (for about 2 months now) and Ritchhart’s Creating […]

Twitter for Superintendents – Pt. II – The WHAT and HOW

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Last week I shared a post outlining 6 reasons Superintendents should start using Twitter. Engage with constituents Engage with policymakers Connect with professional organizations Network with superintendents locally and nationally Model being a lead learner Build a personal and organizational brand So you find the reasons compelling! Now what? In this post, I’ll share some resources […]

Twitter for Superintendents – Pt. 1 – Why?

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This is the first in a two-part series on helping Superintendents get started using Twitter. The second part of this series: Twitter for Superintendents; The WHAT and HOW. It’s 2017, and social media has undeniably become a permanent part of the fabric of our society. It’s time that educators, and that includes you, Superintendents, take the leap, […]

PAECT 2015 Outstanding Leader of the Year

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Last month I was quite surprised to be recognized by PAECT as the 2015 Outstanding Leader of the Year at the annual PETE&C conference. Thanks to Robin Burns, Diahann Snisky and Kelly Wetherhold for putting forth the nomination. But most importantly, thanks to the team of educators and board members I get to work with in […]

What does a Superintendent do? #ASuperDay #ASuperDayRZ

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Cross-posted to SalisburySD.US. I have often shared that great things happen in our schools and classrooms. I know this because I get to see it…every day. Our professionals – teachers, teacher leaders and administrators – work tirelessly to provide the best opportunities for our students and staff to learn. Office personnel, instructional assistants, cafeteria staff, […]

Arguments Against Testing

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I’ve started reading Anya Kamenetz’s new book, The Test: Why Our Schools are Obsessed with Standardized Testing — But You Don’t Have to be. While I’m early in the book, it is an easily accessible read for educators and parents. By the end, I’m hoping this will work well for a parent workshop – either as a presentation/discussion […]

PETE&C 2015 – Are you evaluating your tech initiative?

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In the last post, Moving toward transformation…., I shared how a colleague (@lfuinihetten) and I were days from the opportunity to dig deeper into our leadership challenge and working with 18 other school districts from across the country, researchers such as Ruben Puentedura and Damian Bebel, and a team of facilitators from Apple, Inc. Because of inclement weather conditions, we never made it […]

Moving toward transformation…

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One of the greatest organizational and leadership challenges behind any 1:1 program, where every student has access to a digital device, is ensuring transformation of the teaching and learning process. As we often hear, it’s not about the technology – it’s about what we do with it. Changing teaching, learning and leadership practices around the […]