Doesn’t it feel as if some of the most powerful stakeholders are trying to undermine our efforts with children? Often, the ones that complain the loudest about a lack of success (as they’ve decided to measure such a thing – inaccurately and on the cheap) are
Read MoreHow About Students’ Rights?
I am just now coming back down to earth after the Supreme Court’s monumental decision this past Friday. After so many years of struggle, debate, tension, and anticipation, the court finally granted gay people the right to marry. Whether you
Read MoreThe Common Core Assessment: One Year In
Last August, shortly after we celebrated the 45th anniversary of the Apollo 11’s moon landing, I wrote The Common Core: Are We Talking about Apollo 11 or Healthnet.gov? on my Digressive Discourse blog. The piece was inspired by The Key to Successful Tech
Read MoreWhat Solutions Are You Advocating?
I looked back at some of my old blog posts from two or three years ago and I was struck by the sense that I am no longer focussed on advocacy. Or at least that’s how it first appeared. I
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New Teacher Induction: The Next Casualty?
Over the past few years, I’ve seen many changes in New Teacher Induction (NTI) programs as my district responds to state budget cuts. NTI programs are district supports that help early career teachers succeed with their job responsibilities at the
Read MoreInterview Season
Each year we lose teachers to other positions in the district, other schools or districts, non-renewal and teacher burn out. This year is no exception, but we are approaching the interview process a bit differently. In the past we have
Read MoreThe Tough Part
This past year we looked at ways to increase student leadership roles on our campus. One role we created was a Student on Special Assignment (S.O.S.A). Originally six students were selected for this role. Soon after we realized we needed to
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Growing Student Leaders
This year we have looked at ways to increase leadership roles and opportunities for our students. One role we created was a Student on Special Assignment (S.O.S.A). Originally six students were selected for this role. A teacher nominated two students
Read MoreTeacher Eval: Liberace or the Kid Next Door?
A quality evaluation is a beginning; a useless one, an end. That’s the conclusion I draw from a quote by the legendary Madeline Hunter in a recent Ed Week article by David Finley: “If you hear someone playing the piano,
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