MCUSDSUPE

IASA Superintendent of Distinction

This past week I was named the Superintendent of Distinction for the NW region of IASA. As with all recognition, this is truly humbling. The fact that is a recognition provided by my peers that work around and directly with me makes it even more so. It is vitally important, however, that it is noted that I receive recognition almost entirely based on the work of others. Such is the nature of the Superintendency — so, this award belongs to… Read More »IASA Superintendent of Distinction

Let’s Change the Conversation Surrounding Evaluation

In the past few weeks I have been honored and privileged to be interviewed by Justin Baeder, Jason Leahy, and Randy Ziegenfuss to discuss Making Evaluation Meaningful. I appreciate the opportunity to discuss my views and philosophies regarding evaluation and to (of course) promote my book. What I found amazing is that every time I am able to engage in deep conversation regarding this topic – one that I just spent months of my life writing about – I still… Read More »Let’s Change the Conversation Surrounding Evaluation

Industry Leaders Comment on Making Evaluation Meaningful

Making Evaluation Meaningful   Re-evaluate your perspective on teacher evaluation to truly transform school performance! The tools, strategies, and reflections in this book provide realistic solutions to the problem faced by many schools: meaningless evaluation. A considerable amount of time, energy, and money is spent on the teacher evaluation process, yet the question remains whether it is truly transforming the learning of teachers and, therefore, students. This practical guide shows how evaluation can become the tie that binds all school… Read More »Industry Leaders Comment on Making Evaluation Meaningful

‘Irregardless’

(Amended re-post from 2 years ago) Please, for me, just stop. I realize we all have pet peeves, but there are some popularized phrases right now that are driving me crazy. Maybe it is me – maybe they were always popular. Maybe it is my issue – but over the past few weeks a handful of sayings are really driving me crazy. So, here are my Top 5 words and phrases we should cease using immediately. 5) No problem Think… Read More »‘Irregardless’

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

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