2017

Divergence

Rhee Vs. Ravitch – Why not Both? I wrote the following blog four years ago – so assuredly the data on Twitter followers has since changed. However, the premise still exists. I saw a ‘news’ headline that noted Katy Perry (Democratic supporter in the past) follows Ivanka Trump on Twitter as if this were noteworthy. Not only is it not news – but it illustrates the exact point I was trying to make several years ago. We are far too… Read More »Divergence

The Power of Vulnerability

I require each of my administrators to administer a 360 survey as a component of their evaluation process each year. Every time this portion of the year rolls around they are quick to express the dread this process causes. After the surveys are sent out and data collected, the results come back overwhelmingly positive with 90+ percent of their faculty and staff strongly supporting the efforts of the principal. Not surprisingly, those pieces of data are largely ignored. The negative… Read More »The Power of Vulnerability

Great Science Event in Rockford Area

Check out this great event hosted by Anne Weerda and Burpee Museum in Rockford   Oh, do I have something exciting to share with you!  Its going to be a super science day with PD, prizes and more… for FREE at Burpee Museum in Rockford. We have scientists, museums and others just waiting for the chance to show teachers what’s happening in the world of career scientists….what’s happening at major local science institutions.   Can you please help me get… Read More »Great Science Event in Rockford Area

Pre-K Matters

Very good read on the impact of Pre-K presented by NPR. Several of the most respected early elementary educators gathered together to create a list of consensus findings. http://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2017/05/03/524907739/pre-k-decades-worth-of-studies-one-strong-message

What ails rural schools

As first seen in EdWeek Teacher in a blog series hosted by Larry Ferlazzo . . . Whether you subscribe to the ranking systems of schools put forth by outside entities or not, for the sake of this blog I encourage you to indulge me. Of the Top 60 schools in my state (Illinois) as ranked by US News and World Report, only one school could be considered rural, and it is certainly not poor and boasts a teacher: student… Read More »What ails rural schools

9 things that should unsettle us about education

Great article challenging us to think bigger and question traditional practices in education that simply are not working. https://medium.com/@willrich45/9-elephants-in-the-class-room-that-should-unsettle-us-917369ebffbb

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week

My favorite teacher is a man named Colin Hopper. He was an Abe Lincoln doppelganger who had a passion for history. He single-handedly turned my least favorite subject as a 10th grader into my future profession. He would encourage debate, treat teenagers like adults, and force me to think. I would leave his class so fired up sometimes the entire lunch conversation was about the debate in History class. Man, could that guy teach. He taught me to love learning.… Read More »Happy Teacher Appreciation Week

Five things to know about college freshmen

Really interesting, research-based, piece identifying what society needs to know about our ’13th’ graders. Issues explored include social media, mental health, and politics. http://www.latimes.com/local/education/la-me-edu-american-freshmen-20170501-htmlstory.html

Elon Musk shares a vision for the future

If you think you dream big – you clearly have not heard Elon Musk speak. This 40 minute excerpt hits on a myriad of topics including space colonization, underground tunnels to alleviate traffic, solar powered houses, and a future you can think about without being sad. https://www.ted.com/talks/elon_musk_the_future_we_re_building_and_boring?platform=hootsuite