What Brings You to Tears? Lately, I've been moved to tears. Something has pulled at my heartstrings enough to make my heart pound and tears well up in my eyes. When this happens I feel alive. I feel like I have found my purpose. I am proud. I am sad or happy. I am in... Continue Reading →
You might as well hang your hat up and quit. You failed. There is no redemption. You should stop trying. You're a loser. Failing never feels good. The word "Fail" makes my skin crawl. But as much as I hate failing, I have also learned to embrace failing. But this is not the case for... Continue Reading →
Some of the trendiest topics in Education are Student-Directed learning, #LearnerAgency and #StudentOwnership. As I hear these phrases, I ask myself...are these topics that new? I’ve been a Teacher/Trainer/Specialist/Facilitator for 23 years. To me, the idea of students owning their learning is nothing new. For years, good teaching has been good teaching. What has changed... Continue Reading →
Feedback, constructive criticism, assessment, evaluation, observation...whatever you want to call it, it should be given and received as a way to #becomebetter. Unfortunately it can be a slippery slope. One that many avoid being a part of. If feedback is not something one is seeking, then often times is perceived negatively and defenses can build... Continue Reading →
WHY relationships? This blog is co-written with my colleague and friend Chris Tuttell. How else could this piece be written on relationships? Dr. Brad Gustafson writes in his book Renegade Leadership, “If pedagogy is the driver, and technology is the accelerator. This may be true, but relationships are the runway.” "Relationships are the runway." Yes!... Continue Reading →
When it comes to blogging there is no "right" or "wrong" way. Blogging is a way to express your thoughts, share your opinions, give advice, or just a place for your voice to be heard. When blogging with students it is important to follow a few basic steps: Choose a tool you want your students... Continue Reading →
It's not about me. It's not about you. It's about the students. In Alan November’s book, Who Owns the Learning, his message is clearly heard and conveyed as, Empowering students to lead in their learning, and for teachers to make the subject material relevant to the lives of students.. In a world where teachers are... Continue Reading →
Emerge by definition means move out of or away from something and come into view: "black ravens emerged from the fog". This word “emerge” was recently redefined for me as a leader. As I spent my second year as an “Emerging Leader” with the North Carolina Phi Delta Kappa (NCPDK) educational organization, I felt like the... Continue Reading →
The current trend in education is to ask students to take ownership of their learning. Can that be done in a traditional classroom setting? Today I watched a student do everything but sit in his chair. For the first ten minutes of class, he sat with his legs sprawled. He moved and squirmed in his... Continue Reading →
Still Learning 