They dubbed us United Agents of Change. In reality, we didn’t feel like the red shoe (or tie) -wearing, super-powered, humans the name implies. We are teachers leaders from nine different countries countries: Australia, Canada, China, Finland, the Netherlands, Singapore,
Read MoreStaying Mindful
Lately it has been easy to let the days and weeks slip away. October seems like it was months ago. November is just a few days from becoming December. Student-led conferences, report cards and progress notes, IEP and 504 meetings,
Read MoreGratitude versus resentment
Here’s what I have learned from people who are wiser than I am: a person who lives in gratitude can’t simultaneously live in resentment. I believe that. So I find myself consciously counting my blessings. All of the time—not just
Read MoreIs this the hill I want to die on?
Yesterday, one of my students asked if she could read 50 Shades of Gray as a choice for her next free-reading book. I said “No,” and left it at that, since I thought she was kidding. She wasn’t. She said, “Why not?
Read MoreArne Duncan Isn’t the Enemy
Earlier this week, I had a chance to give a short speech at the White House ConnectEd to the Future Summit. It was a surreal experience to get a chance to meet President Obama and Secretary Duncan in person. I was
Read MoreThe One-Room School
My grandmother loved to tell my family stories of how she began her education in the one-room schoolhouse in our Swedish community of Venersborg, Washington in the early 1900’s. She was the oldest daughter of her Swedish immigrant family, and
Read MoreThe Flavor Of Creativity
After a long week, I decided to take a break and watch a movie at the theater. Excited with popcorn in hand and the fancy recliner seat set in position, I was caught off guard by what happened next. The
Read MoreGuest Teaching as Civic Duty
Like jurors, substitute teachers should be drawn from the public as part of one’s civic duty, at least according to a colleague. Among other things, pulling subs from the public could create more awareness of life in our public schools, get
Read MoreIdealism & campaign lessons (part 2)
During the past election cycle, I learned something crucial that I thought I’d pass on, since I am idealistic and hope to never see another election where so many people are so surprised and so saddened by an outcome. Did
Read MoreSchool choice: An attack on traditional public schools
Aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh! (recent election). Now that I have that out of my system, this is a blog post about school choice. Sometimes, I feel like I’m the only person who thinks that “school choice” is a bad idea. Public discourse is
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