One of the most effective ways to create a learning organization is to model it. When leaders are faced with the “Oh, no! I have no idea what to do because I’m confused” moment, they often respond in a reflexive manner, trying to preserve their authority, meet the communities broader expectation of “leadership” and ultimately […]

5 Ways to Help Your Students Become Better Questioners: The humble question is an indispensable tool: the spade that helps us dig for truth, or the flashlight that illuminates surrounding darkness. Questioning helps us learn, explore the unknown, and adapt to change. That makes it a most precious “app” today, in a world where everything […]

In the past few years, I’ve become a fan of Michael Hyatt. I enjoy reading his blog and listening to his podcast – I learn so much! Today I followed a circuitous path to one of his blogs – The Benefits of Playing Full Out. In the post, he shares 3 ideas that reflect what […]

A few days ago, I shared a post on SMART goals vs. DUMB and HARD goals. Shortly after that I ran across an excellent post from George Couros where he provides a set of focus areas and questions for superintendents to ask principals, but they could really be used with any educational leader. Check out […]

I recently ran across this article where the researchers performed a synthesis and analysis of 15 frameworks for 21st century education: What Knowledge is of Most Worth: Teacher Knowledge for 21st Century Learning. As a result of their work, they developed a three-spoked framework to represent three categories – to know, to act, to value. Two key […]

As we start a new year, you’re likely reflecting on what you plan to accomplish this year. Your goal setting process is probably based on the SMART system of goal setting: S – specific M – measurable A – attainable R – realistic T – timely The problem with following this framework is that it does little to spark […]

Last summer I wrote about “career ready” and the career paradigms of Generation X and Generation Y/Z. I recently read this prediction from the Intuit 2020 Report (actually published in not so recently in 2010, but still relevant): Work shifts from Full-time to Free Agent Employment Imagine a world where contingent work is as common […]

If you know me, you know that a good part of my career has been devoted to music education. I was trained as a trumpet player, taught middle school general and choral music, directed (and traveled extensively with) a high school select choral group (I had some fun digging up recordings) and was musical director […]

In this age of bureaucracy and accountability , I see way too many educators submit to the idea that some external system will determine who they are as educators and what their schools are, as well. In Pennsylvania we have recently moved from “making AYP” to School Performance Profile (SPP), an accountability measure that “grades” […]